The Choctaw Plaindealer

With only a difference of 39 votes, Dick Cain and Tommy Curtis will face a runoff Feb. 11 for the office of Mayor of Ackerman.

A candidate needed 50 percent plus one vote to win the election.

Cain received 176 votes to Curtis' 137 votes.

Cain has been a resident of Ackerman for the past twenty years and is married to the former Nora Lynn McCullough and the father of three children and two-step children. Cain is also an active member of Ackerman Baptist Church.

He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard for nine years and obtained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Cain retired in November 2007 from Rowan Companies, Inc., a land and offshore drilling contractor, with over 26 years of service as a rig manager.

He said his duties included establishing and maintaining budgets for a rig whose revenue is over one hundred million dollars annually. Cain was the direct supervisor of more than 95 personnel, day-to-day operation of the rig on a 24-hour basis, day-to-day contact with customers and public relations and was involved in writing and negotiating contracts.

Cain said he elected, he will do everything he can make sure the Town of Ackerman stays within its budget.

"If elected, my goal is to keep Ackerman clean and beautiful. I will actively seek and secure grants that will benefit Ackerman and its residents. I will do what it takes to stay within our budget, making sure that we do not spend more money than we take in. I will run our town like any business should be run," said Cain.

Curtis is a life-long resident of the Town of Ackerman. He is married to the former Debby McElroy of Popular Creek and they have three children and six grandchildren. Curtis attends Bethlehem Baptist Church.

"I began my public service career as a police officer with Ackerman Police Department where I proudly served for six years. I then served you for 18 years with the Choctaw County Sheriff's Department. During the time I served three terms (12 years) on the City Council," said Curtis.

He said there are many notable areas of progress during his tenure on the board.

"We added new lightening on Main Street. We added new bays to the town's maintenance shop. We purchased new equipment to spray for mosquitoes and reinstated spraying for mosquito control. We purchased the Leaf Vacuum which keeps solid waste from clogging our drainage system," said Curtis.

He said if elected mayor, he will encourage Ackerman citizens to attend and have a voice in monthly board meetings.

"I value your opinion and want the board to have the opportunity to hear you as well. I believe it is important for all our people to have a part in steering the future of our town. My goal is to work together to keep our town's attractive features as we move into the 21st Century together," said Curtis.

His primary goal is to preserve and continue to improve the Town of Ackerman while staying within the budget.

"I am making an honest effort to personally greet every citizen in the town of Ackerman. If I have not been able to see you, let me take this opportunity to earnestly request you to vote for me as your Mayor. I am dedicated to working hard for the people of Ackerman," said Curtis.