Video: Derma’s Long-Time Mayor Runs For 12th Term

[bitsontherun OzdXCFqB]

DERMA, Miss. (WCBI)- Mayoral races are nothing new for Dock Gabbert of Derma. In fact, he’s already won 11 of them. Gabbert is one of Mississippi’s longest serving elected officials, and he looks like a shoe-in to win number 12.

“Sometimes I don’t even realize it’s been that long,” says Mayor Gabbert.

Mayor Gabbert has held his office for more than 40 years. In the early days, it was all about the plumbing.

“I was first elected mayor in 1969, I had no intentions of being mayor longer than it took to get a sewer system. I got a sewer system in and it was just under construction when my time was up, so I had to run one more time,” said Mayor Gabbert.

And he kept on running. This summer he’s going for this 12th term, with no competition.

“I have had people that ran against me in the past, and I’ve had some close races..some not so close,” said Mayor Gabbert.

Residents we caught up with say, Gabbert is doing just fine.

“He does a real good job of keeping our town nice and clean and all the law and order stays nice and straight and keeps everybody happy around here,” said Derma resident John Bungart.

“I remember when Mayor Gabbert was first elected as Mayor, he’s unopposed so Derma’s satisfied,” said longtime resident Beverly Hannaford.

Mayor Gabbert says once he serves his 12th term, he’ll hang it up, satisfied with a half a century of service to his home town.

“The goals that I had for the town I have pretty much reached them all. I wanted water, I wanted sewer, I wanted black topped streets. I think the town will be in good shape for several years and somebody could take over and not be in the same situation I was 44 years ago,” said Mayor Gabbert.

Derma’s election takes place in July.

 

Categories: Local News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *