(The Mayor and Board of Commissioners meet at the City Board Meeting on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 4 pm. Vetting meetings are the Thursdays prior to the regular meetings at noon. All meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend to see the City at work.)
Chuck Espy, Mayor
Clarksdale Mayor, Chuck Espy.
An American politician and Clarksdale’s Mayor, Chuck Espy served with distinction in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1999 until he decided in 2015 to dedicate more time to his family and hometown city of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
While representing Clarksdale in the State’s District 26, Chuck created legislation that has impacted the lives of Mississippians across the State. Among his legislative accomplishments: he took a passionate position on the House floor against Voter ID, spoke passionately to maintain retired teachers and other public retirees to choose to receive a 13th check throughout their retirement years, voted to fully fund MAEP and the MS Adequate Education Program. Mayor Espy is most proud of the 2010 bill he co-authored, The Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. CHIP insurance gives thousands of Mississippi children health care coverage. Mr. Espy also founded a foundation that is known today as The Chuck Espy Foundation. This foundation functions to address economic inequities for families in crisis, and is supported by Espy’s government salary and matching donor contributions.
Mr. Espy has a strong spiritual faith and attends Union Grove Baptist Church. He is also a member of the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Prince Hall Mason. As a member of the State Legislature, he served as Chairman of the Philanthropic Development Committee, Chairman of the Investigation of State Offices, and Chairman of the Foundation for Education and Economic Development (FEED), a charity organization founded by the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus.
Espy has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a Masters of Business Administration from Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. He is also President of Century Funeral Home and Burial Association, a family business in service for more than a century.
Physical Address:
121 Sunflower Avenue
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 940
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662.621.8164
662.621.8163 (fax)
mayor@cityofclarksdale.org
Bo Plunk, Commissioner Ward 1
Clarksdale City Commissioner, Bo Plunk.
Timothy “Bo” Plunk has been a City Commissioner for 9 years. Bo holds a degree in liberal arts from Grantham University. He is a retired Sergeant Major in the United States Army with 36 years of service. He is a lifelong resident of Clarksdale, MS and has been married to Pamela Hughes for 31 years. Plunk is active in the Boy Scouts of America, VFW, American Legion, and Knights of Columbus. Bo is the former president of the Mississippi National Guard Association and currently serves on its board of directors.
Ward 1 Commissioner since 2009.
Contact:
662.902.4650
boplunk@gmail.com
Jimmy Harris, Commissioner Ward 2
Clarksdale City Commissioner, Jimmy Harris.
Jimmy Harris, Commissioner Ward 2, is a lifelong resident of Clarksdale, MS. He is a graduate of Clarksdale-Coahoma High School and Delta State University where he played basketball. He majored in Biology and Chemistry. After graduation he went to work for his brother Jay at the Sound Center, later purchasing the business. He is still serving the people of Clarksdale’s electronics needs. Jimmy has been married to Jean Martin Harris for 49 years. He is the father of 3 sons. Trooper John Harris (deceased), Andy Harris and Lee Harris. He has 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. Jimmy is currently a youth leader and motivational speaker.
Ward 2 Commissioner since 2023.
Contact:
662-902-6223
jimmy.harris@soundcenter.net
Willie Turner, Jr., Commissioner Ward 3
Clarksdale City Commissioner, Willie Turner, Jr.
A native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Commissioner Willie Turner, Jr. has a strong commitment to service and a passion to create a community of excellence. He previously served as a Captain with the Clarksdale Fire Department, and as a Deputy with the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office. Turner is certified through the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy, and the Mississippi State Fire Academy.
Commissioner Turner also served as the Warden of the Coahoma County Correctional Facility. He is currently the Director of Courthouse Security, Summons Service and Law Enforcement Transportation for Coahoma County.
Commissioner Turner is a proud graduate of Coahoma Community College (A. A.), and Mississippi Valley State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of Miller Hawkins Business College.
Commissioner Turner has been active in his hometown for many years and is pleased to be able to serve all the citizens in the City of Clarksdale. His priority areas of focus as a community leader are: Community Safety, Economic Development, Job Opportunities, Education, Revitalization Efforts, Children and Youth Recreation, and Overall Quality of Life Improvements.
He is married to Kimberly Washington Turner, and they are the proud parents of five children.
Ward 3 Commissioner since 2017.
Contact:
662.621.8164
wturner@cityofclarksdale.org
Ed Seals, Commissioner Ward 4
Clarksdale City Commissioner, Ed Seals.
Ed Seals was born and raised in Clarksdale. He is married to Patricia Burrel Seals. Ed is a retired educator with over 36 years of teaching and administration. He served in the U. S. Army Reserves and retired after 30 years of service. Mr. Seals is currently the director of the Coahoma Opportunities Center and is serving his 8th term as a City Commissioner.
Ward 4 Commissioner since 1989.
Contact:
662.621.8164
edseals2002@hotmail.com