November 13, 2023
91福利 continued the series of Lunch and Learns focused on how county government works. The November 2 meeting featured the Honorable Melinda Bowman, Chancery Clerk of Pearl River County.
Attendees were greeted by Melanie Davis, Director of Institutional Research/Director of Professional and Community Development, who also led the invocation before lunch being served. PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood welcomed attendees while sharing a little about Bowman, including her family鈥檚 connection to PRCC.
Bowman has been Pearl River County鈥檚 Chancery Clerk since 2016 and was recently re-elected. She highlighted the variety of responsibilities she covers in her office and the need for the fees to fund the department. She diligently redirects unutilized funds to the county yearly after funding essential office operating expenses. Bowman shared that, in the last seven years, a total of more than $1.5 million has been contributed to the county treasury, benefiting the community by extending the reach of taxpayer dollars.
Serving as the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, they meticulously record official minutes and ensure public access to county records. In their capacity as Treasurer, the Clerk’s team manages the claims process and disburses approved payments. Additionally, the Clerk is entrusted with the recording and safekeeping of various documents, including real property records, liens, and military discharges.
They also oversee the digitization of land deeds dating back to the county’s establishment. Within the Chancery Court, the Clerk’s department efficiently handles a wide spectrum of legal matters through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system.
鈥淚 gained a great respect for the Chancellors when I became Chancery Clerk as they do it all; they are everywhere,鈥� said Bowman. 鈥淚n our work, we hope to influence people to be better, to do better, and to be cheerleaders of people. I have an amazing staff that are that way all the time.鈥�
Information about the Court Reporting Technology program offered by PRCC was mentioned along with an invitation to students to come meet members of the court team to learn about the field.
Beau Wiltshire, President of the Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the continued growth of the chamber, the inaugural Booberry Festival held the prior weekend, and upcoming events through December, including Christmas on Main on Saturday, December 16.
The next Lunch and Learn will be held on February 29, 2024, with Lindsay Ward, Economic Development Director for Pearl River County, speaking. Seats can be reserved by contacting Brenda Wells at bwells@prcc.edu.听听
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Article and photography by Laura O’Neill.
