Posted on 07/13/2005 8:00:13 AM PDT by WKB
Secretary of State Clark, others to interview for Miss. higher ed job
JACKSON, Miss. - Secretary of State Eric Clark is on the list of candidates to be interviewed for Mississippi's higher education commissioner post.
"I know his (Clark's) name is in the pot," board Vice President D.E. Magee Jr. of Jackson said Tuesday. "I'd treat him (Clark) like any other candidate."
The 12-member board will interview several candidates next week. The board is looking for a successor to outgoing Commissioner Richard Crofts. The commissioner implements board policies and lobbies the Legislature. Also, presidents of the eight universities now report to the commissioner, based on a new change giving the post more authority.
Georgia's higher education chief, Tom Meredith, a former Western Kentucky University president and former University of Mississippi administrator, also has expressed interest, board members and lawmakers say.
The post pays $260,000 a year.
Clark, a Democrat, spent 16 years in the Legislature. A former college professor with a doctorate from Mississippi State University, he was first elected secretary of state in 1995.
"His experience in state government is something that would be helpful," said College Board member Stacy Davidson Jr. of Cleveland.
Davidson also said Meredith would be a well-qualified individual.
Clark earns $90,000 annually as secretary of state, helping oversee Mississippi elections, 16th Section public school lands and tidelands on the Gulf Coast.
"I am asked all the time what job I intend to seek over the next two years. The answer is, I don't know," Clark said in a statement Tuesday. "Right now I am spending all my energies on buying the best voting machines we can for our state, so we can run the most honest elections in our state's history."
If Clark switches jobs, Gov. Haley Barbour would appoint an interim secretary of state to fill his unexpired term through January 2008.
Great news for Ms ping
"If Clark switches jobs, Gov. Haley Barbour would appoint an interim secretary of state to fill his unexpired term through January 2008."
GREAT news!
One more 'Rat out of office, and replaced by a Haley appointee.
I surely do hope he gets the job.
"Right now I am spending all my energies on buying the best voting machines we can for our state, so we can run the most honest elections in our state's history."
A 'Rat in charge of the voting machines...
That's disturbing. ;o)
"probably a DINO if the truth was known."
Well, that's comforting.
A good 'Rat...
MS is probably the only place you'll find one of those. ;o)
Southern Miss will be looking for a new President next year, too. Shelby Thames will be leaving, and according to my cousin, who's worked there for the last 15 years, it can't come soon enough for a lot of folks there!
It would be good to get a new GOP Secretary of State. Only a few years ago, this state had only one GOP statewide official - Phil Bryant at State Auditor.
Today we have Governor, Lt. Governor, State Treasurer, State Auditor, and Ag Commissioner.
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