NATCHEZ — The NAACP has submitted an alternate redistricting plan for the City of Natchez.

The plan, along with one proposed by the private redistricting company hired by the city, is on display at City Hall.

The mayor and board of aldermen will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers for a final public hearing on the plans and vote to adopt one of the plans.

Several Natchez aldermen questioned Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis Tuesday night about a redistricting plan she was reportedly working on apart from the board.

Mathis, who said the plan was being led by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was reportedly communicating with a private attorney on the matter last week.

NAACP Vice President the Rev. Clifton Marvel said last week that he was not working with Mathis on the plan.

During his report at Tuesday’s meeting, Ward 3 Alderman Bob Pollard asked Mathis why, if she had an alternate plan, was it not presented to the entire board during previous meetings.

The board met last week for a public hearing on a proposed redistricting plan created by the redistricting company hired by the city, Holland and Rigby. Mathis did not say at that meeting that she was working on a plan.

Mathis and Alderman James “Rickey” Gray had expressed concerns when Holland and Rigby was hired last month, and Mathis voted against hiring the company.

An e-mail between Mathis and her attorney last week — which was also sent to a private citizen — was copied to Gray and listed Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields as a participant. It did not mention other aldermen.

Pollard asked Tuesday why Mathis chose to include only two other aldermen and not the entire board.

“Me, as one alderman, as you always say, I think you were dishonest and untrustworthy with this board, and I do not appreciate that,” he said.

Alderman Mark Fortenbery, who represents a ward which could switch from a majority white ward to a majority black ward, said he too felt Mathis should have shared plans to develop another plan with the board.

The NAACP has suggested that the number of majority black wards should reflect the population of voters, which is majority black.

“I don’t have a problem with anyone,” Fortenbery said. “If they have a problem with me, that’s fine. I think we have been together long enough that we can act like grownups and sit down and talk,” he said.

Fortenbery said he did not think it was good for aldermen to go behind the backs of other aldermen and do what they wanted to do.

Gray said his concerns about Ward 5 were not personal to any aldermen on the board.

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard said he had more questions than answers about the issue.

“I would like the opportunity to discuss (it) to see how much of this transpired or what the intent was,” he said.

Dillard said he would like his fellow aldermen to be cognizant of the fact that there is a great deal to be gained or lost in this situation.

Mathis said that even though she is an elected official, she does not have to share information that she seeks that she believes will benefit the citizens she represents.

Mathis said that every citizen has a right to seek information on redistricting, and she has been getting information from the Mississippi Municipal League, the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus and other organizations.

Mathis also said any information that she has discussed with her private attorney is public record, a change from her statement last week saying the information was protected by attorney-client privilege.

Mathis said she was told the NAACP was not able to attend Tuesday’s meeting.