The role of Natchez’s city clerk is being debated by some of the candidates in the race.

Four candidates have qualified for the position, which will be vacated by a retiring Frances Trosclair.

In a recent mailout to potential voters, Peter Rinaldi, publisher of Miss-Lou Magazine, outlines his campaign issues, including his opposition to the city’s raising taxes or annexing county land.

Although the city clerk does not have a vote in city issues, Rinaldi said the “city clerk has the advantage to bring issues to light.”

“People wouldn’t mind local government growing if the local economy was growing as well,” he said.

But Dr. Fredericka Todd, an educator and businesswoman, said some of the issues raised so far in the election don’t have anything to do with the city clerk’s office.

“People are confusing the role of city clerk with the role of aldermen and the mayor,” she said.

For Todd, who cited her background in administration, supervision and business management, one of the issues in the campaign is “whether or not people are ready to unite and do what is best for the city and select the best qualified person.”

Donnie Holloway, business manager for Natchez Ford Lincoln Mercury, also said voters need to choose the most qualified person for the office.

“I have the managerial and financial background,” he said. “This office has no vote or voice in city government. It’s taking care of city funds. People want the city to be managed like a business.”

Billy Geoghegan, a BellSouth electronic technician, said he hasn’t spoken with other candidates to get their take on the issues yet.

But he said he plans to begin knocking on doors next week to find out what voters want.

“This is my hometown,” he said. “People need to pull together in order to make the city better than it is.

“Most people don’t even know what the job (of city clerk) is.”

According to the Mississippi Code, the duties of city clerk include managing the city’s finances; keeping records of the ordinances and laws passed by the mayor and board of aldermen, as well as records of their actions and proceedings; issuing privilege licenses; and giving a monthly statement of money received by the office to the mayor and board.

Todd said she thinks the city clerk has some influence over the mayor and aldermen.

“You’ve got to keep them within the budget,” she said. “You’re the adviser and the chief financial officer. You’re got to tell them when there’s money available and when there’s not money available.”

Rinaldi said he believes he would have influence over city matters if he is elected.

“The city clerk does not create policy; the city clerk executes policy,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be running if I thought I was going to be a mere scribe.”