Tunica Mayor Leading With a Steady Hand
Born and raised in Tunica, Andrews T. “Andy” Dulaney attended Tunica schools through the tenth grade before completing the 11th and 12th grade at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. After earning his undergraduate degree at Emory University in 1989, he graduated from University of Georgia School of Law in 1992.
But Dulaney was not part of the “brain drain” that can be a problem when young, well-educated people from Mississippi opt for the bright lights and big city over returning to a small town after graduation. Dulaney came back home to join the Dulaney Law Firm LLP, one of the oldest law firms in the state, founded in 1892, where his practice focuses on agricultural law, estate planning and administration, and governmental work.
“Richard Flowers (Mr. Dick) encouraged me to ‘come home’ just as I was about to graduate,” says Dulaney.
Other people who had a big influence on him include Tunica County Administrator Ken Murphree, who was county administrator while Dulaney was board attorney, and Jimmy Erwin, who was Scout Master when Dulaney was awarded his Eagle Scout designation.
“All three of these men supported and encouraged me in their own unique ways,” says Dulaney. “My parents, William P. Dulaney and Betty Jo Hopson Dulaney, were also big influences on my life. They stressed education and service. Both were active in our church growing up, and they were active in the Rotary Club including both serving as district governors, etc.”
He also is grateful for the influence of his wife, Lynn, and considers her somewhat of a role model. “She challenges my thinking and forces me to think through issues thoroughly,” says Dulaney.
There was not too much going on when Dulaney returned home after law school. This was before what became known as ‘the Tunica Miracle’ when one of the most impoverished counties in the country flourished after the legalization of gaming. Prior to gaming, Dulaney worked with in the family law firm with his father and his uncle, the late John W. Dulaney. His brother, Joe Dulaney, is his current law partner.
“In addition to practicing law, I was appointed as prosecutor for the Town of Tunica,” he says. “Once Splash Casino opened and our casino boom was underway, town court was quite busy as all the patrons had to drive through the town on the way to the casinos.”
In about 1994, Dulaney was appointed attorney for the Tunica County Board of Supervisors. With gaming and tourism developing, this was a very busy time for the county.
“This allowed me to become involved in numerous areas in order that the county could develop the basic infrastructure it needed, which was accomplished by creating and operating Tunica County Utility District (water/sewer), the Tunica County Tourism Commission, the Tunica County Economic Development Foundation, the Tunica County Emergency Management Commission (911), the North Tunica County Fire District, etc.,” says Dulaney. “My time as Tunica County Board Attorney ended after twenty years. This time and work were interesting to me, and I found a love of local government as I was able to see the impact that it can have on the community and individuals. This prompted me to run for alderman for the town. I served as alderman from 2017-2021. In 2021, the then current mayor announced he was not running for re-election. He discussed the position with me and was supportive of my running for mayor. I was elected in 2021 and have served as mayor since July 1 of that year. I have enjoyed the challenge and worked to secure outside funding for our various projects. In addition to serving as mayor, I still practice law.”
Webster Franklin, president and CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau, says Tunica gained a visionary leader when Dulaney became mayor.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Andy for the past twenty-seven years in the overall development of Tunica County,” he says. “We’re currently seeing put into place much needed infrastructure projects, along with a revitalized grant department in town hall, that is maximizing expenditures for the betterment of our community. All the residents of Tunica are very fortunate to have a mayor of his caliber leading the town.”
Politics in a small town can be challenging at times; you can’t please everyone. Dulaney says he has found openness and transparency are what individuals want.
“First, we try to really listen to individuals and understand their issues,” says Dulaney. “Once we know the problem, we can either fix it or explain why we can’t. Some issues are easy—a missed garbage pick-up is easy to correct. A problem with a neighbor—not so easy! My experience has been that while individuals don’t always want to hear that we can’t address an issue to their satisfaction, they respect the fact that we are upfront about our limitations. If they understand the ‘why,’ it helps.”
It is hard to define the highest priority in his job as mayor as there are so many important areas, says Dulaney. There are three primary areas of focus: 1. Infrastructure. Like so many communities, Tunica has an aging infrastructure that needs attention. The city has worked to secure outside funding to start the process of replacing and upgrading its water lines, sewer system, and roads.
“Through various grants we are just completing phase one to replace old water lines prior to their failing,” says Dulaney. “Additionally, we have secured grant funding for road paving. The areas where we have worked on water lines will be repaved. It took some coordination, but the paving should start this fall just as the water line project is completed. We are working to avoid emergency situation. No one notices when we do not have an emergency–which is great!”
A second top priority is public safety, a core government function. It is a challenge to keep the police department fully staffed; hiring and retaining officers is difficult. “We are very fortunate on two fronts,” he says. “First, we have a wonderful core group of officers. These are individuals who live in the community and have been officers for a number of years. Second, we just hired a new chief of police. He has relocated from Louisiana and is getting settled. He is very experienced and will be a great asset to the community.
“Our fire department/first responders are wonderful. We have a volunteer fire department. They are very professional and responsive. We are just completing a new fire annex facility which will house a new tanker truck. We should have a groundbreaking on the new fire annex in October.”
A third major focus is on outdoor facilities. The town has prioritized more and enhanced outdoor recreational facilities. The tennis courts have been updated and one has been turned into two pickleball courts. The city has a grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the construction of a new walking trail which will connect the city’s Veterans Park with its tennis court and then go over to Tunica Elementary.
“We should have this under contract this year,” says Dulaney. “Additionally, we have received some ARPA funds which are being used to upgrade our downtown park area. We are also looking at a dog park and have preliminary plans ready. We just need funding.”
Dulaney says the part he enjoys most about being mayor is working with individuals to identify projects and coming up with ideas, and then do what is needed to secure funding and carry out the project. “It is amazing what a group of dedicated individuals can get done when they work together,” he says.
Dulaney has been married to Lynn Wenzel Dulaney for almost thirty years. They have three children. Their oldest, Mary Quinn Dulaney Myers, is a BSN nurse and lives and works in Mountain Home, Ark. Their second child, Thomas Dulaney, is a senior at Ole Miss. Their youngest, Ainsley Dulaney, is a senior in high school at The Webb School, a boarding school in Bell Buckle, Tenn.
When he is off work, he likes the “idea” of hunting, but doesn’t find much time for it right now. His primary leisure time activity is enjoying time with his family. And Dulaney says having gone to the University of Georgia, it is hard not to be a college football fan.
Dulaney is active in his church, the Tunica United Methodist Church, and a long-time Rotarian. When their children were younger, he was active at Tunica Academy having served on the executive board and as treasurer. Funding was (and is) a challenge for a small private school.