NATCHEZ —A new face in the Natchez mayor’s seat is soon inevitable.

With change inevitable, the mayoral candidates were asked to identify the top three issues they see deciding the election. Their responses are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

The partisan primaries are slated for May 10, and the general election June 7.

Tony Fields

Sitting Ward 4 Alderman Tony Fields said he thinks one of the top issues of the election is city finances.

“Getting our finances in order is a top priority for me,” Fields said.

The lack of understanding of the city’s financial state has been an impediment to progress, Fields said. The aldermen have been unable to aid in getting the books in order, Fields said, because they have not been able to adequately grasp the finances.

“We’re always working from behind ,” he said. “If you don’t know the money you’re working with or the grants and not knowing sometimes if you’re going to make payroll, it’s just really hard to plan,” he said. “We’re going to have to really strategically plan what we’re going to do about that.”

In addition to finances, Fields said recreation is also a top priority.

“We really should be further along with recreation than we are,” he said. “We have had a lot of roadblocks. With moving forward on recreation, we need to remove those roadblocks, whatever they may be, and really work with the board of supervisors to move recreation along.”

Another segment of the city that needs to make progress, Fields said, is the tourism industry.

“We need to revitalize our tourism industry,” he said. “We are a tourism town, but we are going to have to reinvent ourselves and give specific attention and resources to our heritage tourism and really market that and really put a focus on telling that story.”

Fields said he would dedicate city resources to heritage tourism, which he said he thinks would be beneficial for both community unity and economic development.

Darryl Grennell

Financial responsibility is at the top of the priority list for former Adams County Board of Supervisors President Darryl Grennell.

“One of my highest priorities is getting the city’s financial house in order,” Grennell said. “With my record of clean audits with the board of supervisors, I think I am the person to do that.”

The city needs a balanced budget that specifically accounts for how every dollar is going to be spent, Grennell said.

If elected, Grennell said he would also end of era of favoritism that has plagued the City of Natchez.

“I think the citizens of Natchez, they don’t get fair treatment … only the well connected and big contributors have the ear of city officials. In my administration, I intend for everyone to be heard.”

One of the most urgent issues at City Hall, Grennell said, is ensuring the city and county work together, Grennell said.

“As a former supervisor, I know friction between the city and county has been an obstacle to progress for many years. Because I know all the supervisors, I’ll be ready from the first day.”

Furthermore, Grennell said, the City of Vidalia should be included in the city and county’s effort.

“To greatly enhance the economic potential of this area, we also want to be able work with the new mayor of Vidalia and include that city in our future,” Grennell said. “It’s about maximizing our economic potential. What happens over there affects us, and what happens over here affects them.”

Eric Junkin

Former city information technology director Eric Junkin said a top priority for his is “administrative efficiency.”

“Enabling the departments to work together with the board (of aldermen) and operating the city more like a business and making the city more efficient and making the administration more efficient,” Junkin said. “We will be open and take responsibility … and be responsive to citizens’ requests and be truthful.”

The economy will also be one of the main issues of the election, Junkin said.

“I would probably say it’s as much a national thing as (it is a local issue),” he said. “In Natchez, there seems to be a lack of jobs for people who want to stay here.”

Improving economic conditions in Natchez, Junkin said, is a matter of making sure the city is upfront about business rules and regulations.

“Businesses who look around to do business in different places expect to be told what to expect, and when they show up, they expect that what they were told was right,” Junkin said.

Another top concern, Junkin said, is governmental accountability.

“Financial accountability is probably one of the things citizens see it as,” Junkin said. “But I like to use examples, accountability in why isn’t that pothole fixed? I called and reported this problem. Why can’t we get that broken light on Melrose fixed?”