news
By Emily Le Coz
Daily Journal
TUPELO - Severe weather curtailed a municipal candidate forum Thursday night after cutting power midway through the event.
Nine candidates from three wards gathered at St. Luke Methodist Church for the meet-and-greet organized by the Joyner Neighborhood Association. About 50 audience members attended.
Candidates hailed from wards 1, 2 and 4, all of which overlap the large residential district in central Tupelo. Each had a 90 seconds to introduce themselves before fielding questions from the crowd.
The hopefuls were taking turns answering question No. 5 - about how they'd promote physical fitness among residents - when the power failed and blackened the large gathering hall. What appeared to be the building's security alarm then began to sound.
Instead of abandoning the event, audience members illuminated cell phones and flicked lighters while candidates continued talking over the alarm. But the wail of distant tornado sirens finally disbanded the crowd.
No word on if or when the association will reschedule the forum.
Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.