Some of the Natchez area’s legislators and local officials believe forming a commission to suggest designs for a state flag is the right thing to do, but that voters should decide which design is adopted. Others believe the flag the state currently uses — which has a Confederate battle flag symbol in its corner — should be adopted, even though the state Supreme Court has decided it has not been the official emblem of Mississippi for 94 years.

Both state Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, and Natchez Alderman Jake Middleton believe Gov. Ronnie Musgrove did the right thing Friday by creating a commission whose 17 members will recommend a design for the state’s flag.

But they also believe the group should be diverse enough to insure that every segment of Mississippi society is represented.

&uot;All the ‘flag flap’ surrounding the fact that Mississippi doesn’t have an official flag is an opportunity to change the flag if that’s what folks want to do,&uot;&160;Dearing said.

&uot;It’s really hard to say whether you should change the design, though. Maybe the best thing is to let the people vote for it. It’s not an issue the Legislature should be involved with.&uot;

Middleton said he believes Mississippi has more pressing problems waiting to be addressed than the state’s flag.

&uot;But if (the flag) offends some people, maybe it’s something we should look at,&uot;&160;Middleton said. &uot;We need to have a commission where everybody is represented and then look at the (flag) possibilities that might be out there.

&uot;Then if there’s something there that the people of Mississippi can go along with, that’s fine. … But let the people vote for it.&uot;

Natchez Alderwoman Sue Stedman does not see Mississippi’s flag as a symbol of hatred, but of history.

Still, she said that &uot;probably there are as many people that feel it should be redesigned as those who feel it shouldn’t.&uot;

&uot;It’s up to the committee … and the public, whatever they want,&uot;&160;she said.

State Rep. Andrew Ketchings, R-Natchez, however, said he does not believe the state’s flag should be redesigned. Instead, he said, the flag that is currently used should be reapproved.

&uot;Whether it’s because of tradition or whatever, I&160;don’t see any need to change it,&uot;&160;Ketchings said. &uot;We can’t change our history.&uot;

This isn’t the first time the state — or the city — has dealt with an issue surrounding the Confederate flag. Last fall, the city decided to remove the Confederate battle flag from city council chambers and from the flag poles above the Natchez Visitor Reception Center. The flags were replaced by the Confederate national flag, the &uot;Stars and Bars.&uot;

And this year the Jackson City Council decided to remove the state flag from its council chambers.

Mayoral candidate Hank Smith’s only comment was that whether the state flag is redesigned is a &uot;state-level decision.&uot; Natchez Alderman David Massey would not comment.

State Rep. Phillip West, D-Natchez, Natchez Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown and Natchez aldermen Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West and George Harden did not return calls Saturday. Natchez Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux could not be reached for comment.