NATCHEZ &045;&045; Who’s speaking at Mayor-elect Phillip West’s inaugural ceremony?

Perhaps the better question would be, who’s not speaking?

In all, 15 people &045;&045; not including West himself, who will be sworn in as Natchez’s first black mayor since Reconstruction &045;&045; will offer up prayers and give their remarks at today’s swearing-in ceremony for West.

West has said he’ll be glad, in a way, when the pomp and circumstance are over. &uot;Maybe then,&uot; he said in a recent interview, &uot;things will calm down a bit.&uot;

But that’s not likely today.

The ceremony, which will be open to the public, will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Nashville Room of the Natchez Convention Center, the large exhibit hall located just inside the Canal Street entrance.

&uot;We’re hoping to get a good crowd of supporters out to this event,&uot; said Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Laura Godfrey, who serves on West’s inaugural committee. &uot;They’ve put out chairs for over 500 people.&uot;

And a full slate of speakers was also in place, including U.S. Rep. Charles W. &uot;Chip&uot; Pickering, R-3rd District, and other notables, including:

Former Mayor Tony Byrne.

Barney Schoby, commissioner of the Mississippi Workmen’s Compensation board.

Lexie Elmore, past president of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors’ Minority Caucus.

Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown, former mayor and executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

State Rep. David Green, D-Gloster.

Walter L. Robinson Jr., chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus.

A representative of Gov. Haley Barbour’s office.

West friend and classmate Clifton Elery and Kareem West, one of West’s sons.

The program will also include a special presentation by Shirley Allen, president of the Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors and a performance by the Combined Choirs of Natchez.

And of course, there’s the oath of office, which will be administered by Justice Court Judge Mary Lee Toles and Circuit Court Judge Lillie Blackmon-Sanders &045;&045; and remarks by West himself.