Butch, I want to go on record that as a close observer of local elected officials and as a 10-year veteran of the National Association of Counties in Washington, DC., that I hold you in high regard for what you have done for this town as mayor.

Vernon Jordan was spot-on when he was quoted in the highly respected magazine, The Economist, a few years back, that there was a new breed of mayors making a difference in small-town America, and “the mayor of Natchez, Miss., is one of them. I call them the ‘entrepreneurial mayors.’ These people get things done for their citizens when towns are faced with funding problems.”

I think he wanted to say (a phrase that’s recent): “They think outside the box and are not timid about exploring alternative ways to find funding streams.”

Mr. Mayor, you can retire from government but not from continuing to make things better in Natchez — your passion and love for this town will not be delegated to the rocking chair. Your experience, contacts at the state and national levels and national reputation as a person of accomplishment, can be used to move this city forward “Onward and Upward.” Elaine and I wish you and Shields the best, Mike

Mike Gemmell

Natchez resident