NATCHEZ — Candidates vying for aldermen seats in five of Natchez’s six voting wards and the municipal judge spot fielded questions from voters Tuesday at an election forum.

The candidates were presented with questions submitted by residents during the forum sponsored by the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce at the Natchez Convention Center.

In Ward 3, incumbent Sarah Smith is running unopposed.

Ward 1

Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis is being challenged by René Adams for the city’s Ward 1 seat.

Both were asked about revitalizing downtown, and through a random process, Arceneaux-Mathis went first.

Arceneaux-Mathis said she thinks the city has made some strides in bringing businesses downtown, as well as at the Natchez Mall.

“If we keep going, we will fill up those vacant buildings downtown,” she said. “We got an Applebee’s, but we need to fill up that mall with businesses.”

Adams said most of her professional experience has been related to downtown Natchez. She said she’d like to see a Main Street director to help coordinate events, restore the Rhythm Night Club area with a recording studio and blacksmith shop, as well as to listen to what the stakeholders in downtown would like to see in the area.

Both were also asked about early morning break-ins occurring in the historic district.

Adams said she had experienced a burglary in October 2015, which she said was a horrifying experience.

“Unfortunately, and I don’t believe this is a big secret, there are only four people on call at night,” she said. “It took 20 minutes for someone to get to my house. We need more officers on duty.”

Arceneaux-Mathis said she felt the same way about the night shift. One solution she has brought up to the police chief was moving to an eight-hour shift. She also said bringing back a strong Neighborhood Watch to the ward was vital.

Ward 2

Billy Joe Frazier, Tamathy Franklin and Brian Johnson are all running for the board seat previously occupied by Rickey Gray, who was elected as county supervisor.

Candidates were asked if they approve of a consolidation of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Natchez Police Department.

Frazier, a former NPD lieutenant, said he was vehemently opposed to this idea,

“I have a lot of friends in the audience now, former police officers, who don’t want to see it as one,” he said. “But I am in favor of working together with the sheriff’s department.”

Johnson said it would not be the most efficient use of resources to combine the offices. Franklin said the entities should stay separate, but she wants them to work together where overlaps occur.

Candidates were also how they would change the dialogue about race in Natchez.

Johnson said race shouldn’t be a factor in the election.

“The way I look at things, if you are from Natchez and love it, want to see the best happen for the community, I don’t see a need to bring racial lines back into it,” he said.

Franklin said the city should be all about one Natchez.

“We should stop looking at race, creed, national origin and sex to keep bringing people down,” she said. “We should have the same playing field and not put one high up superior to another.”

Frazier also said the community should work together as one.

“We should leave the past behind us and move into the future,” he said. “If we don’t, it will be to the detriment of Natchez.”

Ward 4

Running for mayoral candidate Tony Fields’ Ward 4 seat are Edwin White, Barbara Bruce, Jeremy Houston, Felicia Irving and Joseph Gunning.

 

The candidates were asked if they supported a raise to the rates for Natchez Water Works customers.

Gunning said he was opposed to raising the rates of Natchez Water Works, but he would consider it if it was necessary. He said he wasn’t sure that raising the rates was needed at this time, though.

“From the statements I’ve seen, Natchez rates pretty high in water quality,” he said.

Irving agreed with Gunning, adding that she’s seen Natchez placing first for several years in water quality.

“No, I do not approve of an increase,” she said.

When the moderate repeated the question, Houston said, “Raise the rates on the water, are you crazy?

“If there are problems with the old sewer lines and pipes, then we should ID where the problems are and go fix them,” he said. “But by no means should there be an increase.”

Bruce said she also opposed any increase in water rates.

“I think the board of aldermen should sit and develop a community plan,” she said. “It is incumbent to work together to identify and seek long-term solutions with the water system.”

White said if it was a question of the water system ending up like Flint, Mich., then the rate should absolutely be raised a few dollars.

“If that can make sure that we are safe, then do that,” he said. “If we can find a way around raising the rates, then that is what we need to do.”

When asked about the job Natchez Inc., is doing, all said they thought it was functioning as intended.

“They have done a great job of bringing industry to Natchez and putting us on the right track,” Bruce said.

White said more has to be done for the population younger than 40 years of age.

“Lets be realistic, who is going to go work at Dollar General for (minimum wage) when you can go hustle and make $100 in five minutes?” he said. “We have to get something positive for the young people.”

Houston thought Natchez Inc. could do more to bring in jobs that incorporate residents’ skillsets.

Irving simply stated that she would continue to support Natchez Inc., while Gunning said he wanted to see more small businesses be recruited.

Ward 5

Incumbent Mark Fortenbery of Ward 5 is running against challenger Benjamin Davis.

When asked, Fortenbery said he was against expanding the convention center.

“We still owe a bunch of money on the convention center,” he said. “At this time, I don’t think it is a good time to build an addition. If we spend money at the convention center, let’s upgrade and get it back to a high standard.”

Davis said he was not against expansion, but he’d have to know the city’s finances better to make a decision.

“This convention center is like a diamond in the rough, it can bring a lot of great events here,” he said. “But first we have to budget for it.”

The candidates were also asked if they preferred cutting services, annexation of county property or raising taxes.

Davis said he’s heard people would like to see annexation, and he is in favor of that. Further, he said the city wouldn’t have to raise taxes or cut services if the city did more to recruit industry.

“More industry would bring more tax dollars to the city, and then we would be able to pay for it,” he said.

Fortenbery said he would oppose any tax increase. Annexation may be a good thing for both the city as well as the county residents involved.

“People may not realize how much they would benefit from being part of the city’s sewer and water system,” he said. “I hear horror stories of these septic systems.”

Ward 6

Agnes Holloway and Burnley Cook are challenging Dan Dillard for Ward 6. Cook did not attend the forum.

Fiscal responsibly was the big question for the two on stage.

Holloway said it was very important that the city get its finances in order.

“There is no reason we as alderman cannot be involved in knowing and studying the numbers,” she said. “I have a background in banking. That doesn’t mean I can balance a checkbook, but guess what, I can.

Dillard said he is currently reading the auditor reports and the day-to-day finances. Dillard said the city’s accounting department has a long way to go.

“The last city audit was six months late, and the year before that, the audit gave no opinion,” he said. “The problem is the city was not balancing its checkbook.”

Dillard said the city amended its charter and went to an appointed clerk so one could be hired with a degree and experience.

“As alderman, it is my responsibility to ask questions,” he said. “I understand the city accounting system.”

Municipal judge

Carmen Brooks and Lisa Jordan Dale are running for municipal judge. Current judge Jim Blough has said he is retiring.

When asked how fines and penalties are processed and collected and where they go, Brooks said that was all set by statute. She said the fines are collected by the clerks of the police department, and they go to the general fund for the city.

Brooks also said residents should not have to come to court to pay traffic tickets. If someone wants to plead guilty, he or she should be able to get their fine and pay it before the court date.

Dale was also able to say how fines and penalties are processed, collected and where they go. Adding to that, she said she’d like to improve the payment system.

“I think we could assist people in getting a more productive collection of fines,” she said. “People avoid coming in because they fear a bench warrant for not paying on time. Other places give people longer to pay fines.”