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Lott's resignation could hurt county
Published Tuesday, November 27, 2007
NATCHEZ — Sen. Trent Lott announced Monday he intends to retire from the U.S. Senate by the new year, and local leaders said he would be missed.
Lott, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, helped Natchez and Adams County with virtually every project that involved federal dollars, longtime county Supervisor Sammy Cauthen said.
“He has been a super friend to us,” Cauthen said. “He helped with federal funding for the bluffs project, airport funds, port funds.”
Cauthen said he thought Lott wanted to retire before the last election but Hurricane Katrina’s devastating affects motivated him to remain in office.
With Lott’s departure, Cauthen said he thought southwest Mississippi wouldn’t have as much access to federal funds.
Lott also had a hand in the creation of the new federal courthouse and helped speed up negotiations between International Paper and Rentech, Supervisors President Darryl Grennell said.
“Losing him means we will have to really start all over with a new Senator,” Grennell said. “Whoever that person is, if they’re not familiar with Natchez-Adams County, it’s like starting all over to explain the needs of Adams County and the progress that’s been made.
“We’ve got to establish that type of relationship with whoever his replacement might be.”
Supervisor Thomas “Boo” Campbell said he was “shocked” when he heard Lott’s announcement.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Campbell said. “Trent has been a very good asset for us. He’s worked with us very well in all our projects. He’s going to be a loss to us. We’re going to miss him.”
Campbell said he hoped whoever replaced Lott would be equally as willing to help southwest Mississippi.
“This area’s been down for a while, and we’re just beginning to grow,” he said. “We need to have someone sensitive to the needs of this area.”
Gov. Haley Barbour will appoint a replacement to serve until next year’s Nov. 4 elections.
In a press conference in his hometown of Pascagoula, Lott gave his reason for leaving.
“It’s time for us to do something else,” he said.
Lott has served 16 years in the House and 19 in the Senate.
Supervisor S.E. “Spanky” Felter said he thought projects in Adams County would continue to move forward. He also said he could see Lott running for higher office.
“What I’d like to see is him team up with Al Gore and run for vice president,” Felter said.
“I believe they’d have a good chance if they did that.”
Felter said he thought Rep. Chip Pickering would make a good replacement.
“He didn’t seek reelection (in the last election), so something’s going on there,” Felter said.
After his support in projects such as the bluff stabilization, the visitors’ center and extending the Natchez Trace, Lott’s experience would be missed, Natchez Alderman David Massey said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Comments
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HEAVEN FORBID!!!!! I know that Trent Lott would say the same. Pairing him with al gore is sacrilege.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 4:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All I hear is how the money will be missed, who cares where it comes from. The money actually came from taxes and I for one do not think I am getting my money's worth for it. Washington is broke and so deep in debt my guess is Lott needs to find a job in China.
Posted by flylo (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 5:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like Felter is trying to retire too, thinking like that!!!
Posted by timnoklahoma (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 7:25 a.m.
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Posted by inocentbystandr (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. I just lost all respect for Spanky.
Posted by timnoklahoma (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody needs to tell him that Gore is a DEMOCRAT and Trent is a REPUBLICAN! That is like mixing oil and water.
Posted by BenWyles (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen, Scotty! Why is the citizenry of this little serfdom we call the MissLou so crazed and fixated upon what money our elected officials can "bring home?" Could it be that the serfs are dependent upon the king a bit too much? Have we been at the government trough for so long now that we've come to expect cradle-to-grave care and nurturing by Uncle Sam? Time was that most of that was called PORK and many politicians won office for the first time on a pledge to trim and cut the PORK. You hit it right, Scotty. You're exactly on the right track. But the school I went to as a child failed to teach me about this vast and ever-growing wad of unlimited and unfettered money out there. They, along with my parents, taught me that all the money that the government has, along with her power, comes from the people. Political leaders would do well to remember that in the days of the Roman Empire, as the conquering general paraded before his people in the Triumph, with captured slaves in chains and strange, new discoveries from the land of conquest, that a young slave rode alongside in his chariot. Throughout the entire Triumph this young slave simply stood beside the general, repeatedly whispering in his ear that "All glory is fleeting." Hope the boys in DC are listening.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 8:02 a.m.
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Posted by kpage (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben, Thanks for the piece of forgotton lore from one of the most interesting periods in world history. It would behoove the government to remember history repeats itself.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Have any of you seen what's going around on the net about this??? It's not good.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 2:56 p.m.
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Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 3:03 p.m.
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Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on November 27, 2007 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All i did was put up a web address.
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