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Court OKs city's annexation plans
Published Wednesday, July 1, 2009
NATCHEZ — Despite a contested hearing and rescinded votes by two Natchez aldermen, the chancery court ruled in favor of the city’s request to annex two tracts of county land.
“We’re very pleased with the court’s ruling,” attorney for the city Walter Brown said.
The next step in the process, which began in October with all six aldermen voting in favor of annexation, is to present a submission to the Mississippi attorney general.
The attorney general will determine whether the annexation of 2.12 square miles on U.S. 61 South and .56 square miles near Old Country Club Road, is in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
A group of Natchez residents contested the annexation in March, saying it violated the voting rights act.
Aldermen James “Ricky” Gray and Ernest “Tony” Fields, Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, former Mayor Phillip West and other local residents claimed annexing the land would tilt the voter rolls in the direction of the white population.
If the tracts of land are found to be in violation of the act, then the request will be denied.
Mathis and Gray argued that the land on U.S. 61 South, which is slated for mixed commercial and residential development, would be too pricey for the black population. They also argued that the acreage on the north end of town isn’t a viable development area.
“The court declines to speculate as to what may occur in the future,” the ruling states.
The finding points to the testimony of former Mayor Phillip West, who said “the City of Natchez is essentially patch quilt in nature as to the presence of races within all areas of the city and that it is a trend that is more evident now than in the past.”
Gray also pointed out that six acres of the total 360 acres at the north tract were used as a dumping site for Armstrong Tire Company and may be a health hazard.
Much of the hearing centered on Gray’s concern.
The court ruling references a 1974 study by the United States Health Service that resulted in “a clearance or no findings of any toxic materials,” however.
Brown said the court’s finding will play a large factor in the city’s submission to the attorney general.
He said the attorney general has 60 days to respond once the city’s submission is received.
Mathis, who along with Gray rescinded her vote supporting annexation in March, said she will wait to see what the attorney general’s opinion is.
“That’s all I have to say on that today,” she said.
Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields, who appeared at the hearing to object and who the court ruling notes never actually testifed, did not rescind his vote.
He said he is pleased with the court’s ruling.
“I’m positive about it,” he said.
Gray could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Jake Middleton said this is a nice step in the right direction.
“It’s the first time we’ve annexed since 1981,” he said. “We needed some room to grow. It’s going to be good for Natchez.”
Aside from the need to expand, Brown said the city was meeting the request of the developers on U.S. 61 South — Glenn Green and Ricky Edgin — who asked to be annexed.
Brown also said water services will be expanded in the north tract of land. “People have septic tanks, and that’s not environmentally friendly,” he said.
No county residents will be annexed.
Comments
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Aldermen James “Ricky” Gray and Ernest “Tony” Fields, Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, former Mayor Phillip West and other local residents claimed annexing the land would tilt the voter rolls in the direction of the white population."
Start thinking about the color green instead, and what's best for everyone, not for your personal power and gain ladies and gentlemen. People will elect who they feel best represents them and that is their RIGHT!
Posted by ntzlvr (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The race card will always be played with those clowns
Posted by unclered (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tony Fields has turned out to be a complete disappointment. I voted for him, but never again. What's the old saying, "Burn me once, shame on you; burn me twice, shame on me?"
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"...claimed annexing the land would tilt the voter rolls in the direction of the white population."
That's terrible! Sounds like someone is setting up the future BOA to be entirely black so that blacks can be fairly represented. I would understand that if the entire population was black, but it's not.
Isn't that like running off with the entire pie so you don't have to share? Nothing equal (or nice) about that.
Posted by jdmcbth (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The key to this dispute and some of your remarks have racial tones, wake up this is 2009 not 1890. The old south should be dead and buried by now.
Posted by fraidoclowns (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The old South IS dead and buried, jdmcbth, or it would be if people like West, Fields and Mathis and Gray would let it be. They resurrect it every time they make race an issue in a nonracial issue.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is good news......
Posted by sandbagger (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I dont know why im writing this.Does anybody on BOARD read this?
Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The old south dead? in natchez? in Mississippi? bwahhahahhahahaha!!!
Posted by superstargin (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We have a 1/2 black president now. Affirmative action is over people.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"JDMCBTH", There are racial tones in this blog because the 2 biggest racists in Natchez started it; Joyce & Ricky.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some people need to take a drive around Beau Pre, Woodhaven, The Meadows, and just see how well white and black families are living side-by-side in some of the most expensive homes in Natchez. I think these alderpeople just like to imagine we are still back in the 60's just to keep things stirred up.
Posted by brod (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I have said many times before, Joyce loves to hear herself talk and Ricky can't talk without "dis and dat." I imagine Joyce has a soda and bowl of popcorn in front of channel 9 to watch herself each week. Somebody needs to powder the top of grays' head. It's too shiny for TV.
Posted by mbk (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it never fails evertime i hear these three names it is about race. i git so sick and tired of hearing that crap i could puke. here is an idea for those three idiots, why don't u tell all those pitiful african americans or white people for that matter that can't afford a house, or land in those areas to git off their porch, git away from the carwash, git off the street corner, and git out and git a damn job the last time i checked none of those places were hiring, they never seem to have any money but they all scraped up enough to buy an obama t-shirt, i mean come on let it go
Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Their are jobs in Natchez but no careers thats the problem. Natchez needs more... the leaders you all have appointed have failed you.. Natchez needs a historic division not a historic town.
Posted by diamonds (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Race will always be an issue not only with blacks but the Old South still lives. Some of you are right in some of the comments. We have a black president, but we as a people still have issues with what color is he really? That doesn't matter because we are all GOD's children and in his eyesight he had no color. Some of us are lighter, light, dark, darker, etc. Until we start focusing on what is best for us as a people, will Natchez ever move anywhere? Children of today need to know "Together, We Stand, Divide, We Fall!" Let's look to higher heights and deeper depths in knowing What God has for me is for me and What God has for you is for you. PRAYER IS THE KEY TO ALL OF THIS FOOLISH! NO MATTER WHAT MAN SAYS, GOD HAS THE LAST ANSWER. Look to him and trust him for all things; not just some but ALL.
Posted by beavis (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This from Nelson Mandela - "the hate because of a person's skin color".
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all "marinefromnatchez", NOONE is appointed; we still have elections here. It's apparant you don't care for Natchez nor do you live here; so please stay on your side of the tracks. We're doing just fine as an Historic City. Tours and all!
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