[7/21/03]Candidates for the state Senate seat representing Warren, Issaquena and parts of Yazoo counties differ on how Ayers settlement money should be spent at Mississippi’s black colleges, but agree that education should be a priority for the state.

Sen. Mike Chaney, a Republican from Vicksburg seeking his second term in the Senate, was the only member of the Legislature during the last session to vote against using $3.5 million of the settlement for raises at three historically black universities including Alcorn. Speaking Sunday at a forum sponsored by Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Mississippi Chapter of Blacks in Government and the Vicksburg Branch of the NAACP, Chaney defended his vote and said he would vote the same again if the same situation comes before the Legislature.

“I voted no because I am very concerned about the state spending one-time money for reoccurring expenses,” Chaney said. “It’s like taking the money to make a down payment on a car, but having no way to make the payments.”

His opponent in the November election, Democrat Marcie Tanner Southerland, said funding for college education should be just as important as funding for high schools or elementaries.

“I would never have voted against that funding and will never vote against funding for higher education for any reason,” Southerland told the audience of about 50.

The Ayers case, aimed at college desegregation in Mississippi, lasted more than 25 years and was settled in 2002 with a $503 million package of funding to enhance programs at the state’s three universities where black students are in the majority.

For the forum, 36 statewide and legislative candidates were invited, although Chaney and Southerland were the only two opponents to face off Sunday. Both are unopposed in primaries two weeks from Tuesday and their contest will be decided in the Nov. 4 general election.

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, a Democrat seeking his second term, and Sen. Barbara Blackmon, a Democrat seeking the office of lieutenant governor, were the only two seeking the state’s highest posts to attend. Both touted education, jobs and health-care reform and their records in public office.

“I think the people of Vicksburg and Warren County are very important, and that’s why I’m here today,” Musgrove said.

“The election for governor this year is not about who can put the most ads on television, and it’s not about who can raise the most money, and it’s not about who has the most friends in Washington. It’s about leadership,” he said.

Musgrove, who is facing a host of Democrat challengers in the Aug. 5 primary, also talked about bringing Nissan to Mississippi, which resulted in two plants in Warren County that make parts for the auto manufacturer, and teacher pay raises, a major campaign issue four years ago. Musgrove is expected to advance to face either Republican Haley Barbour or Mitch Tyner.

Blackmon, who has served 12 years in the Senate, is facing two challengers in the party primaries. The winner of that election will move on to face incumbent Amy Tuck, who switched to the Republican party midterm.

When asked about Tuck’s change in party, Blackmon said, “I’d rather fight then switch.”

“What I’ve seen across this state is people who are interested in principled, competent and qualified leadership, and they don’t care who it comes from,” she added in response to an audience question about race.

Other candidates who spoke at the forum were Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, who is unopposed; Rep. Chester Masterson, R-Vicksburg, who is facing one opponent in the party primary, and candidates for state treasurer, Cindy Ayers Elliot and Robert Smith, both Democrats.