NATCHEZ — A long-term vision and plan for Natchez is something nearly every candidate in the upcoming city elections has said they believe is the key to a successful future for Natchez.

The next Natchez mayor will in essence be behind the wheel during at least the next four years of city’s journey toward what many say is a promising future.

The candidates may all take different roads to achieve their respective long-term visions for Natchez, and they each have different destinations in mind.

Larry L. “Butch” Brown

Brown, a Democrat, said he believes Natchez is best suited as a town with approximately 20,000-25,000 residents. He said with a population that size, the City of Natchez will be able to provide residents with a strong quality of life, which he said is essential to his overall vision for Natchez.

“In that population base, you can have good job opportunities for people, provide them with above-average income, good public facilities and a strong quality of life that will surround them every day of their lives,” he said.

Brown said he envisions Natchez as a place where all residents are healthy, safe and comfortable.

“And they have quality public services that only government can provide them with,” he said.

Those services are all part of Brown’s long-term vision, he said, and come in many forms, including quality water, fire protection, recreation opportunities, health care, wellness programs and educational opportunities.

Brown said he sees Natchez not as a “chemical corridor,” but a city filled with non-smokestack industries in addition to smokestack industries

“I am trying to have a comfortable, livable community, and that’s my vision, a good, comfortable, clean quality of life,” Brown said

Bob Buie

Buie, a Republican, said he envisions Natchez as a racially harmonious city with crime under control and a place where residents and visitors feel safe all the time.

In his long-term vision for Natchez, Buie said he sees the city’s dilapidated housing problem eliminated and the city’s streets are nicely paved and landscaped, especially, he said, the main thoroughfares into the city.

“I see a city where visitors realize the beauty of Natchez as they enter the city, and it only gets more beautiful as they travel farther into the city,” Buie said.

Buie said his vision includes the city, especially the bluff area, being filled with green space and a fully functioning family recreation facility that invites and attracts tourists and new residents.

Natchez needs to be known as a city of job opportunity, Buie said. He said he wants to see a thriving industrial park and busy port facility that offer ongoing job opportunities. Buie said he would also like boutiques and specialty shops on the riverfront and expanded retail shops throughout the city.

Buie said he also foresees the city having a highly competitive regional medical center, schools excelling in academics, sports and the arts and a flourishing arts center with an amphitheater and other features.

“I see us as a city known as one of Mississippi’s most progressive and desirable places to live, work and visit,” he said. “And I see a city recognized for its successful consolidated local governments working together for a common goal.”

Bill Furlow

Furlow, an independent, said he envisions Natchez having a united and prosperous community where people have good opportunities to work and raise their families and young people can return after college for good jobs.

In order for Natchez to become such a community, Furlow said the city must continue in its aggressive industrial recruitment and work with the school system to improve the education at local schools and ensure students stay enrolled.

“I believe (education) goes hand in hand with economic development,” Furlow said. “We’re not going to be successful and grow jobs if we don’t do a better job with our students.”

Natchez needs, Furlow said, trust among its elected officials and residents’ trust in local government in order to ensure a long-term vision for Natchez’s success comes to fruition.

“We can achieve that vision of one united and prosperous community,” Furlow said. “But if we can’t earn one another’s trust, we’re never going to accomplish that.”

Jake Middleton

Middleton, a Democrat, said he has a reasonable vision for Natchez to create jobs and build economic development to boost Natchez’s economy and quality of life.

Middleton said he wants to see a shovel-ready industrial park in Natchez, possibly at the site of the former International Paper Co. plant.

Middleton said he believes that with the recent decisions of several industries to locate to Natchez, Natchez has the potential to be one of the South’s leading cities for energy production.

“I see Natchez becoming the energy center of the South and getting a lot of looks from many businesses,” he said.

Middleton said he also sees a booming recreation complex and no empty storefronts downtown.

A busy river and a first-class port facility and rail system, Middleton said, are also key aspects of his long-term vision for the city.

“All of that right there, I believe that’s quite a bit, and I believe it’s a good, realistic vision for Natchez,” Middleton said.

Phillip West

West, a Democrat, said his long-term vision includes Natchez as a united city that has focused and expanded on its uniqueness. He said he wants to see Natchez as an inclusive city with a story that includes the history of all of its people.

“We are already the most unique city in the state in a historical respect, but we haven’t focused in on having a broad vision,” West said.

West said a broad vision for Natchez includes doing the things it takes to become a safe and diverse community that appeals to quality businesses.

Natchez’s long-term development, West said, must focus on developing the community as a whole and addressing the city’s shortcomings in housing, infrastructure recreation, and marketing the entire history of Natchez.

“I want to see us create an environment and atmosphere that would offer a safe community and a better quality of life,” West said.

West said he believes Natchez can be a leader among communities in the state and the South. Many other cities in the state and the South, West said, do not have the potential Natchez does.

“I think we need to focus in on all the areas necessary to build development in a community where we are united and have the No. 1 quality of life,” West said. “That combined with our uniqueness will make us one of the best in the South, because that is our potential.”

The primary election is May 1. Furlow will not appear on the ballot for the primary because he is running as an independent.

The general election is June 5.