In a reversal of an earlier vote, Lincoln County supervisorsMonday voted unanimously to accept District 5 Supervisor GaryWalker’s recommendation to appoint Randall Lofton to theCopiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees.

Lofton, a former member of the Lincoln County School Board,replaces Dr. George Brumfield who has been on the Co-Lin Board for12 years.

“I think he’ll be a great addition at Co-Lin and will help alot,” Walker said about Lofton.

Walker said he had nothing against Brumfield, but he hadreceived “a lot of calls” from people wanting a change. Thesupervisor did not elaborate.

Monday’s vote represented a change from a 3-2 board vote againstLofton at the Dec. 17 meeting. Supervisors who changed their votescited board unanimity and tradition as reasons for theiractions.

“I’ll be in favor, but I feel like we’re making a mistake,” saidDistrict 1 Supervisor Cliff Givens during a brief boarddiscussion.

District 3 Supervisor Nolan Earl Williamson said he agreed withGivens.

Givens pointed out Brumfield’s length of service and hisposition as vice-chairman of the Co-Lin Board, which put him inline to be chairman. The supervisor indicated that chance would belost with Monday’s vote.

“It might be years before we ever get another president from thecounty,” Givens said.

District 2 Supervisor Bobby J. Watts, the third supervisor tovote against Lofton Dec. 17, seconded Walker’s motion Monday. Whenasked about the change, Watts said it was customary for the boardto go along with the supervisor who’s making a recommendation on anappointment from his district.

“It doesn’t have any reflection on anybody, it’s justcustomary,” Watts said.

In other business Monday, supervisors handled a number ofroutine first-meeting-of-the-year matters. County employees inappointed positions were re-appointed for another year.

In a leadership change, Williamson was elected board presidentand Givens was chosen as vice-president. Williamson replacesDistrict 4’s W.D. “Doug” Moak, who had been president the last twoyears.

“I look forward to it,” Williamson said. “I’m just going to keepworking hard or harder.”

Also, in what amounts to a title change, Comptroller DavidFields was named county administrator. Chancery Clerk TillmonBishop, who had been handling county administration duties, saidFields had been doing some of the administration duties, such asbudget preparation and purchasing oversight, already.

“I think he deserves it and he’s done a great job as countycomptroller,” Bishop said, adding that his and Fields’ good workingrelationship would continue.

The move will not cost the county any money, Bishop said. Fieldswill receive a $5,000 a year supplement that Bishop had beenreceiving for handling the county administration duties.

In county project matters, supervisors will explore thepossibility of seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)funding for a Bogue Chitto street-drainage project in connectionwith a new railroad bridge being installed in the community.

Mary Martha Dixon, a planner with the Southwest MississippiPlanning and Development District, spoke to the board about CDBGfunding Monday. She said the county may apply for an up to $450,000grant for various eligible projects, but the application deadlineis March 7-8.

“We don’t have a lot of time to get estimates together,” Dixonsaid.

In the competitive process, Dixon stressed that at least 51percent of beneficiaries of any funded project must be in the lowto moderate income category. County Engineer Carl Ray Furr saidthat limits high-scoring projects to the Brignall and Bogue Chittoareas.

“You’ve really got to focus on the low-mod areas or you’re notgoing to make it,” Furr told supervisors.