By Josh Troy Clarksdale Advocate
Ralph Scott will be the next mayor of Friars Point. Scott, currently an Alderman who took office in 2021, defeated Alderman Charles Fair 167 to 127 in a special election on Tuesday.
Scott will serve the remainder of the term that runs through June 30, 2025. He will take office after the election results are certified, which is expected to happen on Monday.
Fair has been the acting mayor since Mayor James Washington, 75, died on September 25. Washington served as the mayor for 38 years, from 1977 to 2001, 2005 to 2013, and 2017 until his death.
Scott was present when the election results were posted. “I’m feeling very good,” he said.
Scott’s first order of business in office will be addressing water issues in Friars Point. He plans to arrange a community meeting with water department employees. “First, I want to have a community meeting with a guy who actually runs our water,” he said. “A lot of questions I’m going to ask about the water, I don’t know. I’m just going to carry on what Mayor Washington did.”
Scott reflected on Washington’s legacy, calling him a “great leader.” Scott, who works in the business office of the Coahoma County School District, considered running for mayor in the past. “It’s something I always wanted to do, but I didn’t want to run against Washington because he was a mentor to me,” Scott said.
Scott also mentioned plans to be himself and not try to do things exactly the way Washington did.
A special election will be held to fill Scott’s seat on the city council. Scott said he did not know when the election would be held, but he hopes it is as soon as possible.
Former Mayor Catherine Miller, who served from 2013 to 2017, confirmed on Tuesday night that she would be a candidate for the vacant seat on the city council.
