To the citizens of Natchez:

I will not be running for another term of office in the upcoming city elections. I have had my turn, and the people of Natchez have been good to me. They elected me in 2004, and they re-elected me in 2008 and in 2012. At times, we might not have agreed on some court decisions, but I feel that I was able to uphold my oath of office.

Now it is time for me to step aside and let the voters elect someone else to have a go at this.

I thank my court clerk Debbie Owens (22 years of service) and my deputy court clerk Velma Williams (nine years of service) for their hard work. I also thank prosecutor Lisa Dale, public defender Pam Ferrington and felony prosecutor Bill McGehee for their hard work during my 12 years in office. Thank you also to the Natchez Police Department.

Qualifications for the city elected officials will open on Monday. The elections are scheduled for June 2016. The qualified voters of the City of Natchez will then elect their new municipal court judge, unless the mayor and board of aldermen again attempt to amend the city charter and make the municipal judge another position appointed by them.

Thank you all.

 

Jim C. Blough

Municipal Judge