I, Joyce Culpepper, am announcing my candidacy for Supervisor District 2, Pearl River County. I am asking for your support and vote this November.

This election, with one year remaining, is to complete the unexpired term of my late husband, Charles Culpepper, who was elected to serve from 2008 through 2012. He was unexpectedly stricken with cancer and succumbed in November 2009. The Board of Supervisors appointed me to fill his seat until a special election could be held.

My husband and I were married for 39 years. We have two children and five grandchildren. We lived on the family farm in Ford’s Creek for most of these years. I am a Christian and attend Ford’s Creek Baptist Church.

I have worked for the Movie Star Plant for the past 30 years. Most of those years I worked as a supervisor for which I have an excellent work record. My husband was employed with the county for more than 20 years and because of his dedication and my sitting on the Board this year, I am aware of the many problems facing Pearl River County and what tremendous responsibilities the Supervisors have.

We have achieved things we never thought possible, we have a beautiful new county building in Picayune, a new justice court under construction in Millard, and plans are started for a courthouse annex in Poplarville, all funded by FEMA and Community Development Block Grants. Three new emergency storm shelters funded by FEMA will be located in Poplarville at the Fairgrounds, and in Carriere and Picayune will be on school property and used by the schools when not in use for shelters. Also, we have obtained grants for three new access roads to be constructed.

My desire is to complete this term. I am committed to keep wasteful spending under control so that our citizens are not burdened with higher taxes. Because of the state’s limited funding, we must make cuts and live within our means.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve you. My fellow board members have welcomed me. They have made me aware of the importance of working together in order to be effective. It is a difficult job, mistakes are made but we learn from those mistakes, they make us humble and remind us of whom we are to serve. I ask that you vote for me in the November election, Joyce Culpepper, Supervisor District 2.