By Christian Coffman

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — As the dust settles from last Thursday’s chaotic Natchez-Adams School Board meeting, Dana and Kevin Wilson are still continuing their hunt for signatures to help put a $9 million school loan to a vote.

At Thursday’s meeting, the board addressed public concerns over the borrowing of $9 million for a school construction and renovation project and the signatures brought to the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned early after accusations of racism and threats came from school board member Phillip West and petitioners.

The Wilsons’ petition  aims to force a vote on whether or not the school district can borrow the $9 million it seeks.

Kevin Wilson said that he and Dana Wilson want to continue because he felt like they were never given a concrete answer as to whether or not they could.

“It’s not as high pressure as it was,” Kevin Wilson said. “The pressure of getting that many signatures and to inform so many people in such a short time was incredible.”

The Wilsons were further spurred on with the idea from local Randolph Trappey, who told them “carry on with the petition” because of the board’s seeming vagueness.

“They didn’t even seem like they were paying attention,” Wilson said. “I didn’t think they were listening to a lot of the folks that were talking. It seemed like a formality.”

Wilson said his impression of the board was that it seemed like no one had stood up to them in a long time.

On the comments and accusations of race and racism made at the meeting, the Wilsons said race should not be a factor in the discussion.

“We came to the school board with the petitions, we felt like that was the right thing to do,” Dana Wilson said. “Myself and everyone that was there … we never brought up race.”

Dana Wilson said she and others just wanted to voice their concerns, and that it was unfortunate the meeting turned out the way it did.

“It was about circumventing the vote and people’s taxes having to go up,” Dana Wilson said.

The school district put a larger measure — seeking $35 million — on a county wide ballot referendum in May. The voters defeated the measure.

Kevin Wilson said getting signatures for a vote is not about race but about getting taxed.

“We have a lot of black friends in the community, people of color who are concerned … I help just as many black people as I do white people,” he said.

Kevin Wilson said that the petitions can continue to be signed at Ram Rent-All Inc. and Oh-So Classy Events and Party Rentals.

Other businesses where locals can sign include BB’s Grill, Wilson Supply, Ketco Advertising & Specialties and Black Jack Oil Company.

“Obviously the school board might have some other problems to deal with, now more than ever,” Kevin Wilson said.

West could not be reached for comment.