NATCHEZ &045; New parade routes devised by a committee of public and development officials are not etched in stone, according to Aldermen David Massey.

Massey said this week that he has received numerous calls from owners of downtown bars, stores and residential properties since the routes were unveiled.

Callers were people were upset that parade routes would be changed, taking away potential business and preventing downtown residents from viewing the parade from their properties.

Aldermen Ricky Gray said he has also received calls from people concerned about the alternate routes. &uot;Personally, I think it should go downtown,&uot; Gray said.

When other business owners said parades going through downtown during business hours disrupted their business, the city worked out two alternate routes after hearing input from the public, Massey said.

&uot;When we were asked for an alternate route, we gave it. But nothing’s set in stone. Š These are just alternate routes that can be used&uot; when a parade is during business hours, Massey said. &uot;It’s not anything we’re going to make an ordinance about or anything.&uot;

When a group seeks a parade permit from the Natchez Police Department, it will be up to that group’s members and Police Chief Mike Mullins to decide which route to use, he said.

The preferred alternate route calls for parades to stick mainly to Canal and Broadway streets, avoiding much of the downtown business district.

Another route would use two blocks of Franklin and Main streets east of Canal.

The routes were developed by Massey, Mullins, City Planner Robert Jackson and Natchez Downtown Development Director Tammi Mullins.