Natchez doesn’t need growth in the form of an arena like one resident said in a recent letter to the editor. We need industry and jobs for our residents, but we need awareness and appreciation of the blessings we have first.

First of all, we have home-grown talent who provide entertainment and community activities, such as the Christmas Cantata of the Chancel Choir and volunteers at Jefferson Street Church Sunday. It was superior to much we see on television by professional musicians and other talented performers.

And this is only one of the many performances we enjoy regularly from many sources of talent here.

Several months ago, our gifted staff at The Natchez Democrat ran articles about the environment at Roselawn. Someone wrote a letter citing that Roselawn needed entertainment for the children and young people.

Roselawn does need a community center for all its many residents, yet the powers that be seem unaware that in the center, between two former subdivisions, is Roselawn Retreat, an antebellum home on two acres of land that was Roselawn and Terrace subdivisions.

It occupies two acres of the best area in Natchez, near the schools and businesses.

It is now occupied by its owner and four apartments occupied by residents, yet no one has sought to acquire it for the city.

As stated, we don’t need growth; we need awareness and wisdom for what we have.

Ann Calcote

Natchez resident