Smith hopes to work with neighbors

Natchez Staff

Published Tuesday, July 26, 2005

NATCHEZ - If you head a Neighborhood Watch or other neighborhood organization, City Planner Andrew Smith is anticipating your call.

Smith said he hopes to meet as soon as possible with such groups to help them identify their neighborhoods' strengths as well as issues that need to be addressed.

Those could include range from dilapidated properties and abandoned cars to anything residents are concerned with or, in the case of strengths, feel needs to be enhanced.

After those meetings are held, Smith said city officials will hold a meeting in each of the city's six wards to "introduce them to the planning process."

Smith said such Mississippi cities as Tupelo have had great success in the past with addressing planning issues by working with existing neighborhood groups.

Once citizens are empowered to do something about the problems they see in their neighborhoods, they will be more likely to encourage each other to keep up their properties, Smith said.

"Our city is only as great as its neighborhoods. The condition of the city's neighborhoods is directly linked Š to economic development, education" and other quality of life factors, Smith said.

Smith said he and Mayor Phillip West's administration have a vision for improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

To provide information about your neighborhood group, call the Department of Planning and Zoning at (601) 445-7518.