NATCHEZ — The time for talk has passed.

That was the “simple message” state and local residents and officials lined the streets in front of City Hall Friday to hear Mayor Darryl Grennell share at the City of Natchez’s inauguration ceremony.

Grennell was sworn in for his first term as mayor along with Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux for her sixth term, Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier for his first, Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith for her second, Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Irving for her first, Ward 5 Alderman Benjamin Davis for his first, Ward 6 Alderman for his third term and Municipal Judge Lisa Jordan Dale for her first term.

During his inaugural address, Grennell emphasized, among other goals, racial harmony, building consensus and transparency.

The color of anyone’s skin does not matter, Grennell said.

“Black and white do not matter; it’s green that matters,” he said to cheers and applause from the crowd. “Everybody always cheers that sentiment, because the hope of financial gain makes them feel like they can set aside any racial resentment — at least for a while.”

Racial harmony must come before the “money starts rolling in,” Grennell said.

“It’s easy to show brotherhood after things turn around, after everybody has a job and a brighter future. But if we’re going to attract industry and more small businesses to Natchez, if we’re going to fully exploit our tourism potential, we’re going to have to learn to work together before we turn the corner.

“We can’t afford to lie to ourselves, Natchez. Natchez has a difficult history, and racial tensions do still exist.”

Grennell stressed transparency in government by laying the “workings of government before the people — warts and all.”

“As we elected officials go forward, we are going to make mistakes,” he said. “And with transparency, those mistakes will happen in the unforgiving light of day. But it’s far better for the people of Natchez than what they have had in the past.”

Natchez operates under a weak mayor-strong board government under which the mayor only votes in the event of a tie of the aldermen votes. Grennell said the system was designed so a mayor does not become a dictator, which he has no desire to be.

“However, I was not elected to this office by 92 percent of the voters in this city because they wanted a weak leader,” he said. “The voters want change. They want leadership.”

For the change, Grennell said he would not bully aldermen or cause division on the board so he can break tie-votes with his vote.

Grennell said he intends to build consensus on the board, which is made up of four black members and two white members.

“In Natchez, where we have a history of racial division reflected geographically, dealing with competing needs is one of the primary challenges of government,” he said. “I will do that by meeting with board members long before official meetings ever happen, by ensuring the free flow of information to all stakeholders in a given situation and by making sure that no one is silenced as moments of decision approach.”

Grennell’s pointed remarks were underscored Friday afternoon after the board of aldermen voted 3-2 against Grennell’s recommendation of Bob Latham for city attorney.

Former city attorney Everett Sanders was appointed to the position following a nomination by Arceneaux-Mathis, one Grennell called racially motivated because Sanders is black.

Arceneaux-Mathis denied her nomination was racially motivated and said she chose Sanders because he was the most qualified candidate.