Voters in the City of Natchez face tough decisions Tuesday as they head to the polls to choose the next mayor and two of the six city aldermen.

Natchez’s next mayor will either be former mayor Larry L. “Butch” Brown or first-timer Bill Furlow. Both men are articulate and capable of bringing new ideas to the office.

After speaking at length with both men, we know they couldn’t be more different in terms of personality and variety of experience, however.

We see pluses and minuses in both men’s capabilities, so much so that we were not 100 percent in support of either candidate.

In the end, however, we feel Brown’s skills in organizing and leading diverse teams of people edges him out over Furlow. Brown’s critics worry that he tends to be heavy-handed in his leadership style. But that should only be a concern if no one else in leadership — elected or civic — is willing to stand up and speak out if that ever becomes the case.

We trust that our community would never roll over to a one-man steamroller if Brown attempted to do that.

Voters in wards 3 and 6 will choose aldermen on Tuesday.

In Ward 3, we feel newcomer Sarah Carter Smith brings a new voice to the board of aldermen that is much-needed. Her communication skills and intelligence will serve voters well.

Ward 6 voters have two good options on their ballot with incumbent Dan Dillard challenged by Forrest Foster.

Both men are well spoken and would bring common sense to the office. Dillard’s willingness to stand up and speak his mind, ask tough questions and challenge conventional wisdom gives him the edge. Those traits also make him less than the most popular guy in the room sometimes, but leadership isn’t always about being most popular.

We hope all registered city voters will head to the polls Tuesday and exercise their right to choose their next leaders.