Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Caldwell seeks MDOT post
Wants to give DeSoto a voice
By ROBERT LEE LONG
Community Editor
DeSoto County, the state's fastest growing county, has never sent a home-grown Northern District Transportation Commissioner to Jackson.
Former DeSoto County Supervisor, DeSoto County Schools transportation director and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Colonel John Caldwell of Nesbit wants to change that.
"It's a time when the county has a great opportunity to make a statement," Caldwell said during a campaign stop in Panola County. "DeSoto County needs to get involved in Mississippi politics. That's something the governor candidates know. They are in and out of here almost every day. We have a big part to play. It's when we don't vote when we give up the influence we have which is a positive influence. People need to get out and vote Tuesday. The bigger battleground is about retaking America, and it starts with this election Tuesday."
Caldwell said in DeSoto County many of the newer residents from Tennessee are unfamiliar with the importance of the transportation commissioner in the everyday lives of residents.
"People who come down here from Tennessee don't understand it," Caldwell said. "There is really no comparable position to it. The governor (in Tennessee) takes a more active role in transportation."
Caldwell said the role of transportation commissioner is critically important in the lives of DeSoto Countians and the 33 counties which comprise the Northern Transportation District.
"This position has a direct influence on jobs and economic development, the safety of our roads and the people who travel them," Caldwell said. "It is probably the position in state government where they'll feel the effects of policy and leadership."
Caldwell, 49, currently is director of transportation for the DeSoto County School District and deals daily with the demands of transporting thousands of DeSoto County students each day with an exemplary safety record.
An artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve who served two tours of duty in the war-torn Middle East, Caldwell has attained the rank of full colonel.
"The aspect of the military has taught me leadership and learning how to operate under pressure," Caldwell said.
Caldwell said he is not afraid to take on tough issues, such as the failure by MDOT to install a traffic signal at a deadly intersection in Walls.
"It's not just in DeSoto County," Caldwell said. "The transportation department has been neglectful of the whole district. They have not been a responsive agency of state government. I'm ready to make a difference."
Caldwell and wife Lee, a DeSoto County school teacher, have four children.
Robert Lee Long: rlong@desototimestribune.com or at 662-429-6397, Ext. 252
Former DeSoto County Supervisor, DeSoto County Schools transportation director and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Colonel John Caldwell of Nesbit wants to change that.
"It's a time when the county has a great opportunity to make a statement," Caldwell said during a campaign stop in Panola County. "DeSoto County needs to get involved in Mississippi politics. That's something the governor candidates know. They are in and out of here almost every day. We have a big part to play. It's when we don't vote when we give up the influence we have which is a positive influence. People need to get out and vote Tuesday. The bigger battleground is about retaking America, and it starts with this election Tuesday."
Caldwell said in DeSoto County many of the newer residents from Tennessee are unfamiliar with the importance of the transportation commissioner in the everyday lives of residents.
"People who come down here from Tennessee don't understand it," Caldwell said. "There is really no comparable position to it. The governor (in Tennessee) takes a more active role in transportation."
Caldwell said the role of transportation commissioner is critically important in the lives of DeSoto Countians and the 33 counties which comprise the Northern Transportation District.
"This position has a direct influence on jobs and economic development, the safety of our roads and the people who travel them," Caldwell said. "It is probably the position in state government where they'll feel the effects of policy and leadership."
Caldwell, 49, currently is director of transportation for the DeSoto County School District and deals daily with the demands of transporting thousands of DeSoto County students each day with an exemplary safety record.
An artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve who served two tours of duty in the war-torn Middle East, Caldwell has attained the rank of full colonel.
"The aspect of the military has taught me leadership and learning how to operate under pressure," Caldwell said.
Caldwell said he is not afraid to take on tough issues, such as the failure by MDOT to install a traffic signal at a deadly intersection in Walls.
"It's not just in DeSoto County," Caldwell said. "The transportation department has been neglectful of the whole district. They have not been a responsive agency of state government. I'm ready to make a difference."
Caldwell and wife Lee, a DeSoto County school teacher, have four children.
Robert Lee Long: rlong@desototimestribune.com or at 662-429-6397, Ext. 252
 |
 |
|
| Hood wants to continue Minor's work | Supervisors elect new officers |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of desototimestribune.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
