But despite a Wednesday deadline for appointments, Gov. Tate Reeves, who had demanded that voters decide whether to change their flag and not legislators, said Wednesday afternoon that he hadn’t got to it but that he would “hopefully today” if not soon enough. Lawmakers retired the Mississippi flag last month after decades of debate. It was the last flag in the country to feature the controversial Confederate battle emblem. They set Wednesday as the deadline for the speaker and lieutenant governor to appoint three members to the commission to design the flag. Gunn’s appointment: Oxford Mayor Robyn Tanehill. “Robyn has a background as a marketing professional and a leader in north Mississippi, making her an ideal member of the commission,” Gunn stated. “She is well-known for her passion for Mississippi, and her forward-thinking vision for the state and her community. I am confident she will be an active and vocal member of the commission.” Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College President Mary Graham, “Dr. Gunn stated that Graham has been a visionary leader in the region’s entire Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Her dedication to preparing students for the 21st Century through increasing workforce development initiatives and focusing on them is admirable. Everyone admires Dr. Graham’s work and she will be an excellent voice for Mississippians at the commission.” Madison House staffer TJ TAYLOR “TJ Taylor is a member my staff for five legislative session,” Gunn stated. He is a graduate of Mississippi College Law School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He was my policy director, general counsel, and policy advisor. He was a key player in the successful effort to gain support, pass legislation to alter the state flag, and eventually form this commission. His passion for the issue and calm demeanor will be a great asset to the commission’s work while representing the voice a younger generation. Hosemann’s appointments. Reuben Anderson Anderson, former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice, served as the first African American justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court between 1985 and 1991. Anderson received his undergraduate degree at Tougaloo College and his law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Anderson is currently the president of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Mack Varner, a Vicksburg attorney, is currently a Vicksburg lawyer who practices family and commercial law. He earned his undergraduate degree at Millsaps College and his law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He was the former president of Vicksburg Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park. Sherri Carr Bevis, a marketing and communications veteran from Gulfport Bevis, was recently appointed Community Relations Liaison for the Singing River Health System. She earned her bachelor’s in communications degree from Mississippi State University, and her master’s from George Washington University. Prior to that, she was Assistant Secretary of state for External Marketing at the Secretary-of-State’s Office and a teacher in public schools in the Bay Waveland and Hancock County School districts. Bevis is currently the national president of Mississippi State Alumni Association. Hosemann stated that the commission has “a heavy obligation to bear in the coming weeks.” Hosemann added that he believes the commission will come to a conclusion “which will be respectful to our past and reflect our bright future.” Hosemann also said that the people of Mississippi will ultimately decide whether the design or another design should be the flag for their future. Reeves must be a member of the Mississippi Economic Council and the Mississippi Arts Commission, according to the law that was passed in June. Reeves noted Wednesday that lawmakers had placed strict, very restrictive restrictions on his choices, but not on Hosemann and Gunn. Gunn and Hosemann demanded that the Legislature remove the Confederate-themed flag, which had been in use since 1894. This was against arguments from some GOP leaders like Reeves who suggested that the voters should decide whether or not to remove it. The deadline for the new commission is Sept. 14, so they can select a design that will be presented to voters in November. The commission will redraw the design and present a new design to voters in 2021 if they reject it. The law requires that the new design include the words “In God we Trust” and cannot include the Confederate battle emblem. On Monday, the state Department of Archives and History issued a call to public for flag design submissions. Public submissions are due by August 13.