[02/28/01] A former Warren County supervisor and a City of Vicksburg employee have filed qualifying papers to seek the office of South Ward alderman, becoming the second and third candidates.

Former District 5 Supervisor Royce Eaves filed Tuesday as a Democrat to seek the $45,491 a year city post. This morning, assistant director of the city’s Department of Youth Services Vickie Bailey filed as an independent.

Eaves, 69, who did not seek a second term as a county supervisor after serving one term from 1996 to 2000, said he decided to try for a different public office after the incumbent, Sam Habeeb, a Republican, announced that he would not seek a second term.

“I’m just hoping that if I can win, I can do as good a job as he did,” Eaves said.

His name will appear on the May 1 primary ballot and if no one else files as a Democrat, Eaves will be unopposed in the primary and advance to the June 5 general election ballot.

Bailey, 33, ran as a Democrat for the South Ward post four years ago and polled second behind Habeeb by 546 votes in the general election. She said she chose to run as an independent this time because her political views are both conservative and liberal.

“I still haven’t seen the changes for Vicksburg to reach its full potential,” Bailey said.

One of the areas she said changes are needed is in the department of recreation where she says the budgets have gone up, but there have been no services added.

“There’s more to recreation than just boys’ baseball,” Bailey said.

Bailey’s name will first appear on the June 5 general election ballot where she will face the winners of party primaries, if any are needed, and any other independent candidates who file.

Restaurant manager Sam Smith, 37, has filed for the job as a Republican.

Candidates for the city’s three elected offices have until 5 p.m. Friday to qualify for the May 1 party primaries or, if they’re independents, the June 5 general election.

Others who have picked up papers to seek the South Ward seat are former school administrator Ann Wheeless, hairstylist Pam Johnson, Carl Marshall Upton, Ashlea Mosley and Sid Beauman, director of the city’s parks and recreation department.

In the mayor’s race, former mayor Joe Loviza and fitness instructor Eric Rawlings have filed for the $56,531-a-year post. Loviza, 60, filed as an independent, so his name will not appear on a ballot until the general election on June 5. Rawlings, 38, filed as a Democrat.

Other potential mayoral candidates who have picked up qualifying papers are incumbent Robert Walker, businessman Laurence Leyens, Warren County District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon and Vicksburg police information officer Eva Ford.

In the race for the North Ward alderman’s seat, four candidates have filed for the office. Those whose names will appear on the May 1 Democratic primary ballot are incumbent Gertrude Young, 45, business owner Rodney E. Dillamar, 41, and retired educator Jo Pratt, 67.

If no one else files before Friday’s deadline, the primary winner will advance to face Sylvester Walker, 40, in the general election.

Vicksburg Police detective Randy Naylor also obtained qualifying papers, but had not filed as of this morning.

New residents in Vicksburg or those who have not voted in city precincts before have until March 30 to register to vote in the primary election or until May 5 to vote in the general election. Voter registration forms can be turned in at the City Clerk’s Office.