On Aug. 16, we laid to rest a former Natchezian, Robert Leslie Whitt.

In a eulogy by one of his close friends, he thanked Natchez for turning down Leslie’s offer to help start a zoo some 40-years ago. It seems we had poor leadership then too.

City officials said thanks, but no thanks. I guess they thought a tourist town didn’t need something like a zoo. So, Les went to Alexandria, La., and, as his friend said, “turned a mud hole into an oasis.”

Thanks Les, for moving on and living your dream.

Now, I want to congratulate Fat Mama’s for enduring the ego quartet.

We still have leaders with no vision. Successful people and businesses are constantly bombarded by self-interest, egotistical people who don’t want others to succeed.

Natchez-Under-the-Hill is another example. By now it should have been a tourist’s destination, but instead, most of it lies dormant — an eyesore.

The saloon has endured its share of greed and selfishness by the powerful few. I hope that the Vidalia Landing continues to grow and we will probably see the steamboats start docking there soon. With just a little vision 20-years ago the former First Baptist Church could have been a grand opry house or a great location for the Natchez Little Theatre.

Our new mayor is our best hope to say enough is enough. Help me out Mr. Middleton.

Ronnie Blackwell

Natchez resident