Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT

NATCHEZ — Valencia M. Hall recently announced her candidacy for Natchez Alderwoman Ward 1 in the April 7 Municipal Primary Election.

“I was born and raised in Natchez and attended Holy Family and Cathedral Schools and graduated from Cathedral,” Hall said in making the announcement. “I am the leader this community and ward needs to grow and prosper.

“It is time to stop the bleeding and bring fiduciary responsibility and accountability to the board of aldermen by balancing the general fund, consolidating astronomical accounts and conducting audits, not financial reviews. Financial transparency is key to trust. Stop using monies from Magnolia Bluffs Casino for payroll and transfer those funds where they are allocated. For example, use it for the YMCA. We must bring the board minutes up to standard. We must approve minutes in a timely manner and put the minutes in the books within 30 days of each meeting.

“This municipality needs economic infrastructure. I support what Natchez Now and Natchez, Inc. have done to bring industry and jobs to Natchez and Adams County. I applaud their efforts and successes in improving the life of the economy. The mayor and board of aldermen must support Natchez Now and Natchez, Inc. to bring in more skilled trained individuals. The population of Natchez, our county seat, is 15,009. Between 2000 and 2010 the population of Natchez was 18,464. The per capita income for Natchez is $19,295 and the median income is $29,984. I advocate that Skills Training Programs be reintroduced into our schools to prepare our young people for gainful employment beyond high school.

“Social infrastructure is needed. Congress allocated the field next to Natchez High School for a recreation complex. Complete this process. Social infrastructure also encompasses helping our local public school system continue to improve. The municipality has a responsibility to ensure this process is successful by working with the school board and federal government.

“Infrastructure is desperately needed in Ward 1. Roads in some areas are atrocious and sloughing off, particularly in Marblestone. Areas of poor drainage, broken streets and potholes in sections of Ward 1.    Some homes in Ward 1 are falling into bayous. Vote new leadership.

“I served as a Mississippi Department of Archives and History Trustee and an area of responsibility was approving budgets reaching millions of dollars which were then sent to the Legislature for approval. I served on the Historic Natchez Foundation Board of Trustee for many years; I served on the board of Seton Health Corp., a subsidiary of St. Vincent/Ascension Health in Indiana. I served on the School Advisory Committees of Holy Family and Cathedral schools. I serve on the Preservation Commission. I am involved at Holy Family Catholic Church where I serve as Catechist and secretary of the Pastoral Council.

“I will serve all citizens of Natchez and all residents of Ward 1 with honor, integrity and ethically. I ask you to stop the bleeding and elect Valencia M Hall Alderwoman Ward 1 on April 7, 2020.”