Eileen Mary Maher Candidate

Thank you Natchez Democrat for the endorsement of my re-election to a third term as Adams County Justice Court Judge in the Southern District. As The Democrat said "Maher is passionate about her work as Justice Court Judge and is highly versed in the law." Please support me by voting Aug. 8 on the Democrat ticket. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thank you. Here is the full endorsement.

Hello: The Adams County primary elections are Tuesday, Aug. 8. There are ballots for Republican and Democrat candidates. I am on the Democrat ballot. I appreciate your vote to keep me as your Justice Court Judge in Adams County Southern District.

Congratulations to the Natchez Adams School District for the new Natchez High School. I was proud to attend the opening ceremony. The school is a tremendous state-of-the-art facility which will give our students every opportunity to compete on a statewide level and nationally. As a former high school teacher, I can appreciate all the care that went into the planning, building and appointing this facility. Now, every teacher and every student can be on the internet at the same time.

Hello: Absentee voting for the Aug. 8 primary in Adams County is open until noon today (July 29). You may vote in the Circuit Clerk's office in the county courthouse downtown. Thank you.

Thank you very much to the Natchez Chapter of the NAACP for hosting the recent forum for candidates in the Aug. 8 primary election. The organization and management of the forum was excellent. Thank you to Joyce Arceneaux Mathis, president of the Natchez NAACP Chapter for her questioning, and for the time keepers Ms. Butler and Mr. Ford. The attendance was wonderful. Please remember to vote for me in the primary. I have served the Adams County Justice Court honorably since 2017, and wish to continue.

Congratulations to the Natchez Adams Chamber of Commerce and Listen Up Y'all for staging a wonderful two nights of candidates' forum. Thank you for giving candidates time to share their vision and experience. I was honored to be part of the program.

Happy Fourth of July everyone. I'm honored to announce my candidacy for re-election for Justice Court Judge in the Southern District of Adams County. I have served since 2017, and look forward to continuing. Here is a release. Thank you.
Eileen Mary Maher
Justice Court Judge Southern District
501 State Street
Natchez, MS 39120
Office: 601-442-0912
Home: 601-442-0980

PRESS RELEASE
MAHER ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR RE-ELECTION

NATCHEZ – Honorable Eileen Mary Maher announces her bid for re-election as the Judge of Adams County Justice Court, Southern District in the primary election August 8, 2023.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of Adams County since my election as Justice Court Judge. I look forward to continuing my service,” Maher said. “I take this position very seriously, and have strived to adhere to my motto: Fairness for all.”

Maher’s tenure as justice court judge has included the establishment of a Mental Health treatment for criminal defendants. She partnered with the psychology department of University of Southern Mississippi and the psychiatric department of the University of Mississippi Medical Center through 2022. Currently, she is working with Region 15 Mental Health Services to provide treatment to defendants who need mental health services.

Maher has held the position since November 2017, just as the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure went into effect. “The Rules are very strict about what protections are available to criminal clients, especially indigent criminal clients. Counties who do not follow these Rules closely have been sued by the MacArthur Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union. It is much more cost-effective to comply with the rules.”

On the civil side, Maher says that the state legislature has made significant changes to eviction laws and those cases comprise a good portion of the civil docket. “We have changed the summons to comply with the statute. We issue written judgments that track the current law so that landlords and defendants know their rights and responsibilities. Open communication is the key.”

Her professional licenses include law licenses in Mississippi and Louisiana, registered nursing licenses in Mississippi and Louisiana, and certification as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner in Mississippi.

Maher has been married to G. Mark LaFrancis for 35 years. They have two children, Mark and Mary. Maher and her family are members of St. Mary Basilica. She has a bachelor of arts in English from Boston College, a Master’s Degree in American History from Boston College, a Master of Arts in teaching English as a Second Language from the Elms College (Chicopee, MA), a Juris Doctorate from Western New England University (Springfield, MA), a bachelor of science in nursing from Alcorn State University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi.

Maher’s community service includes being a member of the Board of Directors of the Natchez Housing Authority, lector at St. Mary Basilica, volunteer with the Home with Heroes Foundation. She has also taught American Government at Copiah-Lincoln College’s Natchez Campus.

For information or to help, contact Maher at 601-442-0912.

Hello: Absentee voting for the Aug. 8 primary election begins today, Monday June 26. Contact the Adams County Circuit Clerk's office for details. 601-446-6326. Office hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thank you.

Hello everyone! I'll be posting again as a candidate for re-election as Adams County Justice Court Judge in the Southern District. I've been honored to serve in this position since 2017 and wish to continue. My motto is still "Fairness for All." The primary is Tuesday, Aug. 8. Please go to the polls (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and support my re-election. Thank you.

I was honored to be part of the St. Mary Basilica Choir on Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. Congratulations on a job well done after a lot of hard work.

It's a beautiful day to go vote! Thank you for considering me for Circuit Court Judge District 6-2.

Congratulations to the Natchez Adams School District and Natchez Inc. for bringing career coaches to the high school and Natchez Early College Academy. We have many athletic coaches, so it's refreshing to see coaching for careers. Read more:

Career coaches coming soon to Natchez High, Natchez Early College - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper NATCHEZ — Natchez High School and Natchez Early College are two of 125 school campuses in Mississippi to receive funds to hire staff that will assist students with career path options. Natchez Inc., the leading economic and community development agency for Natchez and Adams County, joined its work...

When voting this Tuesday, let's not forget those whose sacrifices helped make our freedoms possible: Our Veterans. Veterans Week in the area will be Nov. 10-12 with awards, a wonderful parade, flag retirement ceremony, turkey give-away to veterans. Here is a flier. Pease share with all you know, veterans and patriots alike.

Congratulations to Andrew Calvit of Natchez, a long-time member of the Natchez Rotary Club, which named a scholarship at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in his honor. Calvit's list of community service is amazingly long, including serving on the Co-Lin's Foundation Board, Habitat for Humanity, and many more. Known as the "Candy Man" Calvit indeed is a sweet treasure for our community. Now his name will live on in the scholarship. Bless you, Andrew. Read more about this wonderful man:

‘He leads by example’: New scholarship named for long-time Rotarian committed to Co-Lin - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper NATCHEZ — Andrew Calvit said he knew something odd must be going on when the Rotary Club of Natchez President Lauren Middleton called him to a table and said, “We won’t start this meeting without you,” but he never dreamed what it could be. Calvit had been sitting outside taking up money fro...

A big thank-you to Jimmy Allgood to have me for an interview on 104.7 The Gator. I'm a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in Mississippi District 6-2 (Adams, Amite and Franklin Counties). Jimmy did a great job interviewing.

A reminder that Tuesday, Nov. 8, is election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. I greatly appreciate your consideration in the Circuit Court Judge ballot for District 6-2 (a portion of Adams and Amite Counties and all of Franklin County). My motto is Fairness for All. Thank you.

Congratulations to the Cathedral Cross Country Team for achieving a seventh-in-a-row state championship, and to coach Tommy Smith. It was a great showing Monday. Read more:

Green Wave win seventh straight title - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper CLINTON — Cathedral hit the ground running at Choctaw Trails Monday afternoon with the Green Wave running in the MAIS Overall Cross Country championship. Head Coach Tommy Smith watched his boys win a seventh straight title. Alex Monagan might have been the surprise for Cathedral as he was first Gr...

Thank you, Meadville, Mississippi, and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce for putting on an extraordinary Homochitto River Festival. From Friday night's great performance by Paul Overstreet (a must-see talent) to the amazing fair and festival with three band stands, sumptuous food, and lots and lots of friendly folks. Can't wait until next year! Here are some photos: me with Buck, Kelly Rand's 11 year old dachshund that won best in show; Sullivan's Hollow, a local group with Sammy Qadan, my good friend Sandra's son; me with my running buddy, Lisa Chandler and her Mighty Mackie; me in front of my campaign placard, designed by Mark LaFrancis, the best campaign manager ever; and Mark, best husband ever, with Marine veteran Spencer Walker who served in Operation Iraqui Freedom and now counsels veterans.

Thank you to the Natchez Chapter of the NAACP and Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Natchez Campus for hosting the candidate's forum Wednesday evening Oct. 19. There was a good turnout, and I had a chance to tell why I should be Circuit Court judge in District 6-2.

A big Scout salute to Ricky Warren and his scouts from Troop 168 in Natchez for cleaning the monument of the Daughters of the American Revolution on the Natchez Bluff. DAR is a very patriotic organization, and the scouts learned not only about community service but about the DAR. They certainly followed the scout slogan: Do a good turn daily. Read more:

Scouts and Natchez DAR join up for Day of Service - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper NATCHEZ — Members of Scout Troops 168B and 168G teamed up with the Natchez Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for its annual Day of Service recently. This year, the Natchez chapter chose as its service the cleaning of The Natchez Trace marker on the bluff, which i...

What a wonderful day in Natchez, MS, Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Natchez Balloon Festival. The balloons were flying, people were gathering in the fairground and enjoying a beautiful day. Folks came to the t-shirt booth that supports the Natchez Adams Humane Society. Thank you all. I'm with Steve Nielsen and Marcia Thompson. A good friend Lisa Chandler and her pup stop by, too. Today (Sunday, Oct. 16) looks to be another fabulous day.

Congratulations and kudos to the great folks at Habitat for Humanity for completing the 24th house. They truly are doing the Lord's work in our community. They give far more than they get. God bless. Here are some photos from the recent ceremony giving the keys to the homeowner.

Absentee voting for the Nov. 8 general election is ongoing. Here is information from the Secretary of State's Office: You may vote absentee in person from 8 a.m. to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, beginning September 26, 2022, at the County Circuit Clerk’s office, through November 4, 2022; and also, on October 8, 2022 at the County Clerk’s office from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon); on October 29 2022 at the County Clerk’s office from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon); and again on November 5. 2022, at the County Clerk’s office from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon).
Learn more at:

Absentee Voting Information | Michael Watson Secretary of state Mississippi law allows for absentee voting under certain circumstances. Please consult our Step-by-Step Guide to Absentee Voting and related FAQs to find answers to your questions regarding eligibility and how to cast your absentee ballot. Step-by-Step Guide to Absentee Voting ABSENTEE VOTING FREQUE...

A big thank you to the hard-working members of the Knights of Columbus Council 1034 for the delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner prepared on Oct. 9. I heard they served hundreds of meals. Here are some of the knights at work and folks enjoying their meals.

Hello: Today (Oct. 10) is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election in Mississippi. Please go to the Circuit Clerk's office in your county to register. Remember to bring an ID. Thank you. See you at the polls.

A huge congratulations to the mayor and city for hosting the Ambassador of France Philippe Etienne these past few days. What a wonderful honor for our small city. Read more:

French ambassador and entourage spend busy day in Natchez - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper NATCHEZ — The Ambassador of France to the United States, Philippe Etienne, had a full day visiting Natchez Saturday. Etienne and Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson met about a month ago when both attended the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative Conference in St. Louis. Gibson invited Etienne to vi...

I had the privilege of being the installation official at the Xi Epsilon Zeta installation of officer’s program today. Xi Epsilon Zeta, chartered on June 16, 1988 is the South-Central Region Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
The new officers are President Velma Anderson-Lee, 1st Vice-President Hazel Washington, 2nd Vice-President Sandra Loyd, 3rd Vice-President Courtney Fleming, Parliamentarian Whitney Houston-Irving, Treasurer Detrica Berry, Treasurer-Secretary Marilyn Alexander Turner, Secretary Jennifer Williams, Assistant-Secretary Venessia King, Reporter Ayesha Muhammad, and Chaplain Bea Jenkins.
Some of the good works this chapter has brought to the Miss-Lou this year include Youth Socials, Youth Summits, Men’s Health Fair, Rainbow Walk for Autism Awareness, Finer Womanhood Program, and Go Red Day for the American Heart Association.
They are a dedicated, strong, cohesive group, committed to social justice and they care deeply about this community and its people.
Thank you kindly, Ursula Brooks-Clemons for the invitation, and the eloquent introduction.
Thank you, sorority members, for all your hard work!

Congratulations to Kristie Jones, construction and carpentry teacher at Franklin County Career and Technical Education Center, for being awarded a $100,000 grant from Harbor Freight Tools. Great job, Ms. Jones. Read more:

Watch: SurPRIZE, Franklin County teacher receives grand prize from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper MEADVILLE — Franklin County Career and Technical Center teacher Kristie Jones was awarded $100,000 as a grand prize winner from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. Students, staff, family and government officials surprised her Tuesday Morning. Email newsletter signup Sign up for our daily email news...

Congratulations to the Natchez Adams School District for its B rating in Mississippi. A lot of hard work must have gone into improving the rating from a D. As a former public school teacher, I know this news must have been very rewarding to the instructional staff. Congrats.

Let's give a proud salute to World War II veteran (a former prisoner of war) John Druetta of Natchez, Mississippi. Mr. Druetta his celebrated 100th birthday recently surrounded by family, friends, veterans and dignitaries. He was showered with gifts and proclamations and a massive birthday cake. Among the gifts were a flag flown over the nation's Capitol in his honor presented by G. Mark LaFrancis, veteran, and president of the Home With Heroes Foundation, along with a letter to Mr. Druetta from U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker. We thank you for you service, Mr. Druetta.
https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2022/09/22/video-druetta-celebrates-100th-birthday/