In 10 days, Natchez voters will select their new mayor. With one of the three men on the ballot bowing out late last week, only two candidates remain — Larry L. “Butch” Brown and Bill Furlow.

Two candidates means the outcome should be clear on June 5 when the general election is over.

Both men come to the table with unique sets of skills and experience and both are likely capable of doing the job as mayor.

Voters must gather the facts and figure out who they think is the best candidate.

Despite their differences, they share at least one, common campaign goal. The behavior by members of the board of aldermen has become so uncivil that attempting to unify others winds up on both mayoral candidates’ list of priorities.

Clearly gaining control — if that’s possible at this point — of the seemingly unruly members of the Natchez Board of Aldermen is a priority for the new mayor.

It’s sad that one of the city’s biggest challenges is to have its elected officials simply play well with one another and work as a team.

Hopefully, either mayoral candidate can begin to bring the city together again. The City of Natchez faces many, many challenges. The last thing we need is to continue creating more by infighting.

Please get informed about the candidates this week so you can cast an intelligent vote on June 5. Our website contains links to all of our campaign coverage and information on candidates if you’ve missed something.