NATCHEZ — One incumbent and one new challenger will compete for the position of city clerk in the upcoming elections.

The candidates for city clerk are Temple Hendricks and incumbent Donnie Holloway, both Democrats.

While neither candidate is a stranger to city government, each brings new ideas to the city clerk table.

Temple Hendricks

Hendricks said she is running for the city clerk position because she knows there is plenty of room for improvement.

“I’ve worked inside city government for almost a decade, and from being privy to the inner workings I know there are changes and improvements that need to be made to the city clerk’s office,” Hendricks said. “I know what has to be done and what needs to be done.”

Apart from her experience working in city government, Hendricks said her previous experience in the real estate business can help the city make key decisions on property it has in its possession.

“The city has a lot of city property, mainly Oak Towers and Brumfield Apartments, and we need to decide what to do with those properties,” Hendricks said. “I think I can bring my real estate background to the table and work with the board in determining the best use for those properties.”

Transparency in city government is an issue Hendricks said she would like to tackle if elected.

“One of the goals I had was to place all signed documents that had been approved and financial documents on the website,” Hendricks said. “As far as I’m concerned all of that is public record, so I just don’t understand why that information isn’t provided.”

Along with making documents available to the public, Hendricks said a push for the latest technology in the clerk’s office is vital.

“There’s the $140,000 accounting software we started paying for in April 2010 and it is still not functioning correctly,” Hendricks said. “How can the board of aldermen make sound financial decisions if it’s not provided answers?”

Donnie Holloway

Serving as the city clerk for approximately 12 years, Holloway said his experience in the position is what sets him apart.

“The experience I’ve had in this office, knowing the budget process, the laws and statutes of the state and keeping the budget low are what qualify me for the position,” Holloway said. “I enjoy my job and enjoy working with the people.”

Holloway said having someone with experience in an office that handles so much for the city is crucial for Natchez to prosper.

“The city clerk’s office is the hub of the city, and just about everything comes through our office,” Holloway said. “I’ve streamlined a lot of things since I took office and will continue to do so.”

Transparency among city government is also high on Holloway’s list, which is why he will take a trip next week to Hattiesburg to learn about new software that helps post documents online.

“The software would put a lot of documents online and cut out a lot of paperwork for the board,” Holloway said. “It also gives the public an idea of what’s going on.”

Apart from transparency, Holloway said getting the new accounting software system implemented is his main goal now and if he is reelected.

“People think you can just put this in place over night, but it doesn’t work that way,” Holloway said. “We have a trainer in here now working with our people, and the new system is going to help us out a lot.”

The primary election is May 1, and the general election is June 5.