Ben Hillyer/The Natchez Democrat — Newly-sworn Mayor Larry L. “Butch” Brown receives handshakes of congratulations Monday morning at the Natchez City Council Chambers. Brown, the city aldermen, city clerk and municipal judge were sworn into office in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

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New leadership takes oath, appoints Carby as attorney

Published 12:00am Tuesday, July 3, 2012

NATCHEZ — A standing-room-only crowd packed into the Natchez City Council Chambers Monday morning to see the official beginning of a new administration with a few familiar faces.

Mayor Larry L. “Butch” Brown, the Natchez Board of Aldermen, City Clerk Donnie Holloway and Municipal Judge Jim Blough lined up next to each other to take their oaths of office in unison.

For more images from Monday’s ceremonies, click here.

To watch a video of the complete ceremony, click here.

The officials were sworn in by Adams County Circuit Court Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders and Adams County Chancery Court Judge George Ward.

The deputy city clerks and court clerks were also sworn in after the elected officials.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, Ward 2 Alderman James “Rickey” Gray, Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Carter Smith, Ward 4 Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Fortenbery and Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard thanked their families, friends and voters for continued support and confidence.

The ceremony was not all sentiments and speeches, though. Brown called a meeting to order with a slam of the gavel on the board table.

“I’ve wanted to do that a long time,” Brown said.

The board elected Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis as mayor pro tem.

Hyde Carby took his seat next to Brown at the board’s table as the new city attorney after a unanimous vote for his appointment.

The board also unanimously voted to reappoint The Gillon Group as the city’s independent auditing firm.

The board will ratify the actions taken Monday at its first regular meeting on July 10.

Brown said the goals he has made for the city will be met, but he said meeting those goals might take some pushing and shoving.

“It is going to take some of that to get it done,” Brown said.

Brown said he did not want people to confuse his pushing and shoving for the city with him being overpowering or overbearing.

Brown thanked the aldermen for their dedication and unity and harmony and said he was excited for the future of Natchez.

“We have a good working board that is passionate about…making our city more beautiful, livable and prosperous,” Brown said.

 

 

 

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  • http://profile.yahoo.com/LJRB4RA4WS5RCCI6N6CV3TFTPQ joes

    buckle up natchez

  • Anonymous

    I have been very vocal about my suspicion of residency for Brown during the election process. I still hold my position. But the race is over, and I wish Brown and ALL our city and county leaders the very best in leading our city. PLEASE- watch OUR money! Streamline services to make them more efficient and, hopefully,cost saving. LISTEN to your department heads. But most importantly, DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT AND BEST FOR ALL OF US!

  • Anonymous

    Well counselor, you are now a city attorney.  Civic law is not hard.  Product liability is much harder.  Two years?  Two whole years?  Well, at least you won’t have to pick a jury.  The real trick is the politics.  At some point, you are going to be asked to compromise.  Check yourself.  Remember the law.  Tell the bastardo to kissoff.  You are  young with a long career ahead.  So, are you going to talk to the prosecutor about unpermitted drillling within city limits?  How about just some civil redress.  Do you know what an interest swap derivative  is?  Unfortunately you will get no honeymoon period with so many clouds.  Sorry Man, you have been left a plate of slop.  Stay CLEAN

  • Anonymous

    PS:  Counselor, in my 20 years in Natchez, other than skyrocketing violent crime, nothing has given me more pause that unpermitted drilling within the city limits.  If the city sits on its hands, then I am convinced there is no “controlling moral authority” in Natchez.  A marriage contract between the last mayor and an oil company, last time I checked, was not an admissible defense to creating a nuisance.  We will be watching. 

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