District 5

Why are you running and what makes you the most qualified candidate?

JAMES BERRY: My main reason for running is to make a difference in Adams County. I feel that I am the most qualified candidate because the concerns of Adams County are my concerns and I will serve as a liaison for the community and help build the gap between other board members/community leaders and issues to be reconciled.

CALVIN BUTLER: I am running for re- election to continue my professional and personal mission to help move Adams County forward. My involvement in varied community organizations such as the United Way, Home with Heroes, AJFC Community Action Agency and other non-profit organizations, has allowed me the opportunity to hear and understand the needs in our community. My experience as a production supervisor at Johns Manville and Tyson Foods, equipped me with knowledge to work with existing and new businesses. My strong commitment to progress, college degree in communications and solid work ethic make me the best candidate for supervisor of District 5.

BRENDA ROBINSON: I am running for Supervisor in District 5 to implement change. If we continue to do things the same way, we will get the same results. It is time to be innovative within communities. Supervisors must put the needs of the people first. Residents have a vested interest in their communities and visions. It is the supervisor’s job to make those visions a reality. My qualifications consist of: 30 years working with community oriented organizations, developing/reviewing/submitting budgets, leadership skills in the organization of community and state level programs, employment referrals, implementation of educational programs and job training seminars.

What do you think is the most important issue facing the county, and if elected, how would you address it?

BERRY: The most important issue facing the county is public education. If elected I would propose that Adams County hire a consulting group to implement educational strategies to improve our public schools.

BUTLER: Litter in our community is one issue that really concerns me. There’s a crew that picks-up trash daily; the next day, you have more trash in the same areas. Unfortunately, we have won the record for the most trash picked up the last few years. Through the sheriff’s department, we now have a litter control officer, but it is overwhelming for one person to do this job.

We can start by educating our youth: form partnerships with all schools. Elicit the support of the community by asking them to call in car tags of those who litter.

ROBINSON: My observation of District 5 identified a number of critical issues. One major issue is jobs. To address this issue, I will utilize the concept of teamwork. I will organize a committee of community residents. This committee and I will develop and distribute a survey to identify residents’ employment need areas/preferences, collect and analysis the survey results, research and identify potential employment industries based on survey results, develop an action plan, contact potential industries to locate here in order to accommodate residents’ employment needs in Adams County, and offer incentives such as tax breaks if they relocate.

What would you change about how the county government is run now?

BERRY: I would change how the county government is run by choosing candidates that can take on responsibilities including working well with others and being effective in getting projects up to task. I would not target candidates with impressive qualifications that make promises but one that will execute.

BUTLER: Some changes in county government will require state legislative action. An elected school board and adding the garbage collection fee to the ad valorem tax are two changes that I would fully support. An elected school board gives the voters more autonomy in the selection of the five members. Affixing the garbage fee to the ad valorem tax will allow the county to collect millions that normally are not collected. The collected revenue will give the county more financial support to work on infrastructure and upgrade and extend services to the community.

ROBINSON: The county government establishes policies, set goals and objectives. I would establish and two-phase evaluation process. The first phase would be to determine if the annual goals and objective were achieved. The second phase of the evaluation process would consist of an annual assessment, completed by community residents, of supervisors’ effectiveness in performing their job duties and responsibilities. Each evaluation will be in survey format. The two-phase evaluation process will show accountability, promote community interaction with residents, and provide guidance to supervisors of the areas that need improvements. Every organization in the United States has an employee evaluation process.

In recent years, there appears to be a disconnect in communication between the city and county governments. What do you think can be done to address it?

BERRY: In recent years there appeared to be a disconnect in communication between the city and county governments which is not the solution to a successful Adams County. I feel that all city and county officials should have an open communication policy working hand and hand which allows each board member to make decisions that are beneficial to Adams County.

BUTLER: Members of the board of alderman and supervisors are both elected by the public to serve them. I feel that quarterly meetings between the two boards would be good. We could give updates on what has been taking place at our meeting, share ideas on how to improve our community and discuss some common goals for city and county endeavors.

I will continue to work hard for the people I represent in District 5. My professional and personal commitment to progress remains strong for district five and Adams County.

ROBINSON: I believe in teamwork. The city and county governments have vested interests in adhering to and meeting the needs of residents within Natchez and Adams County. Residents are often faced with the same issues and concerns, regardless of where they live. To resolve city and county problems, teamwork is required. I think that the organization of a liaison team (one city and one county representative) to serve as communicator between the two governments. The liaison team will keep the lines of communication open, whereas, the city and county will be provided up-to-date information on issues and events that affect both governments.