Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The last time we elected a person with no experience it was Hank Smith. Need I say more? I like Chick personally but what experience does he have for the job?

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

With all the people on here carrying on about the state of affairs in Natchez, this year should be a record turnout.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Posted by natchezaristocrat (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you (ntz143) realize how heavily weighted our board of alderman is? Hank Smith didn't have much to work with. We, as citizens of Natchez, need to wipe the whole slate clean and start with brand new city government. Look at the city of Madison--they did that 20-something years ago, and look where they are now! Natchez is on the brink, and can go one way or another. If we stay with current administration (4 years mayoral experience) you can say good-bye to all the potential Natchez has. As for the other mayoral candidate, who has 16 years experience (as alderman), what has he actually accomplished with his years of ‘experience’? Look where we sit as a community. I agree with with Ms. Pugh, and fully support the idea of a new mayor, as well as new aldermen.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

natchezaristocrat, Yep. Time to clean house.

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wimpy Bush got elected and he had no experience--well no successful experience--he was a serial failure--and look at what a stellar job he has done. Then there is Phillip who had a lot of political experience and look at that outcome.

I think new ideas with specifics will help folks decide who to chose.

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mrs. Pugh- I agree with you 100%.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Carrie...well stated...I agree whole-heartedly and I believe Chick would be a breath of fresh air, but natchezaristocrat (although I think the name is presumptuous), is right...Hank never had a chance...the old guard, the real wielders of power, i.e. Natchez' strong aldermen/weak mayor form of government, stifled him at every turn.

Sometimes the rogues need to be turned out even if they are our rogues.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sammohon,
Do you remember your posting of a day or so ago?
“Let me answer your question with a few of my own:
Would you hire a lawnmower repairman to fix your big rig?
Would you hire a chiropractor to fix your brain tumor?
Would you hire a carpenter to design the Superdome?
Would you hire a legal secretary to represent you in court?
Would you hire a hygienist to do your root canal?
The list could go on and on...the answer is, of course you wouldn't and you don't!” If this applies to the city planner, why won’t it apply to our Mayor?
I can’t believe the Democrat published this as a letter to the editor and not as a campaign piece. Are they going to publish the letters from all the candidates’ family members?

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss, Since you are such good friends with the current mayor, could you please tell me if he is still on the casino's payroll?

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OldGrandDad,
The Mayor is not on the Isle of Capri’s payroll or any other casino’s payroll.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok. Thanks much. It must not have been published when he got off their payroll. I'll fuss at the Democrat about that.

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do we know that for a fact? Could still be on it under another name or for cash?

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anonymous postings allow for lies to be told and no one is held accountable.
Like it or not, here are the facts:
Four years ago, the city of Natchez was stagnant. Our future was bleak. Unemployment rates reached nearly twice the national average. Industry closings resulted in the loss of over $100 million from our economy. Today, the unemployment rate has been cut nearly in half, new business openings have doubled, 4 new hotels, 2 major entertainment projects, over $140 million dollars in investments, over 10 million dollars invested in infrastructure, we have increased the number of our police force, fire and police personal received raises and things in our city are finally looking up.
Phillip West has turned our economy around. Lies about his character will not change that.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When PW was a county supervisor, and soon after the casino moved in, it was published in the Democrat that he was on their payroll for (I think) about $2000 a month. They said the job description was "liaison" to the african american community. If I'm wrong and my memory fails me, maybe the Democrat will be kind enough to correct me?

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PW has not been a supervisor in over ten years! Your memory is stuck. He is not on the payroll of any casino. We have moved from the past and have made great progress in the last 4 years. Again, things in our city are finally looking up.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok. Thanks Phil. Oops, I mean hitormiss. I realize some things change. But to quote scripture, Does the leopard change his spots?

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why, is it so hard for you to believe that PW has support? You should not demean me because we have a difference of opinion.

Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't find it hard to believe that Philip has support...I don't think you were demeaned...someone simply disagreed with your opinions.

My opinion is that politicians change their rhetoric to satiate the electorate, but rarely change their core beliefs (WARNING, WARNING)...the Philip West I have known is not a uniter...except within his own constituency, which tends to be radical, small and loud.

His predecessor was voted out for the same reasons Philip will be voted out...the aldermen's gridlock...nothing in Natchez gets done without them...the mayor only has a vote if the aldermen's vote is tied, which virtually never happens unless you are ruthless like Butch Brown.

The statistics you quote are gains received from previous administation's groundwork much like Clinton inherited the Cold War dividend from Reagan/Bush.

Please demean me, hitormiss...I welcome it...LOL

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sam, I referred to oldgranddad’s posting as demeaning.
The Phillip West you claim to have known as not a person who unites, is certainly not what our community has come to know. West leadership during Katrina united everyone. It is where a lot of us came to really know him. I had to put the hear-say aside. I grew too really like the guy. The opinion the West is a divider has been debunked. Please tell me which of the stats quoted could be contributed to the previous administration?

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss, I find it amazing that you are such good friends with West that you can so quickly answer questions for him. Honestly, I would think you would need to run and ask him the answer first before you posted about it.

I would think it would be in the community interest for everyone to know when a mayor was on the casino's payroll and when he left that position.

Sorry you think that is demeaning. I can tell you what I personally find demeaning - Every town that has had a casino move in has become a boom town, except for Natchez. And I don't think its because of bad luck.

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Phillip is a disgrace and he can hardly take credit for all the good things in the city. As for him being a good mayor, I have 2 words for you: Pecan Factory.

An honest mayor doesn't break the law to help his buddies get sweetheart deals.

I could point to a dozen building in Natchez that are "immenent dangers" and "health risks". Funny Phillip didn't have them torn down. Why? Well let's see... Oh I know, because the mayor's buddies aren't trying to build an eyesore where those derelict building are. Gee. How ethical.

Throw the bum out!

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oldgranddad,
The thought that I would need to check with Mayor West, or anyone else, before I post an opinion is ludicrous. The implication that you could form your own opinion but I could not is what I found demeaning.
However at your suggestion, I did call him this morning to clarify the question. I also might add that you can call him yourself; he is listed in the phone book.
I stated Mayor West has not been a supervisor for more than ten years and was a consultant for a casino (not Isle of Capri), over ten years ago. I was correct in my posting. It was not unethical for him to do such work because the county had no vote on the boat or its location.
Natchez is not located near an interstate. Our challenges are different from other cities like Vicksburg. Despite this obstacle, Natchez has seen a lot of new growth.
Roberth33, as for the pecan factory, the Mayor has never been charged with a crime. The action regarding the pecan factory was a BOARD action and was unanimous. I agree with you there are many buildings that are unsafe and need attention however respectfully disagree with you on your view of the Mayor. I stand by my opinion that Natchez is far better off than we were 4 -8 years ago.

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No he wasn't charged with a crime, but there was a HUGE uproar over the fact that he acted after he was told not to. There is no denying he did what he was directed not to. And there is no legit explanation for tearing that building down over many others except graft. use common sense. Just because he hasn't been charged yet doesnt mean there was no graft.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss, My hat is off to you. You are truly a one-of-a-kind individual if West will answer or return your phone calls.

Yes, I remember when West was a supervisor. That is why I mentioned it in the first place. Everyone knows that rural Mississippi county supervisors are in tremendous demand as "consultants" for Vegas casinos. Ha. Sorry, but Lady Luck bought themselves a local politician. Pure and simple. To be fair, I'd place a bet that they had more of them in their pocket, black and white. Only one of them was silly enough to let the cat out of the bag.

Still running on old memories, I also remember when West was unhappy with the local school situation and decided to remedy that by leading a boycott against white owned businesses. Has he disavowed his former racism?

And to your comment about the location of Natchez all I can hope is that you will pull your head out of the sand. Look at other small towns with casinos that are not on interstates. Casinos are supposed to benefit the town, not just provide low paying jobs and money into politician pockets.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OldGrandDad,
Sorry but I don’t believe for one minute that you ever tried to call the Mayor. To help you out, give me your name and phone number and I’ll make sure he gets it.
Boy, you are living in the past. As far as the school system goes, believe it or not most people feel all children should be treated equally. Working with the Mayor on many community boards, I have come to know that he is a human rights advocate. He works on everything from the Boys and Girls to the Battered Women’s Shelter. Volunteers in organizations all over the city can verify what I am saying.
Now, to our city’s location, please let us know what booming casino cities are not located along an interstate.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss, By now I'm gonna just wait for the next mayor to get in office. Then I'll call (or walk down) to congratulate him.

Sorry to disagree with you, but I live in the present. But the present was made by the past. Supervisor West led a racist course of action against white business owners in this county for a school situation over which they had no control. I asked you (since you have an inside line to him) if Mayor West has turned from his racist past. My question had absolutely nothing to do with equality for school children, human rights or battered women.

And what are the condition of the streets in Marksville and Philadelphia?

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The boycott had everything to do with equality for children. My wife and I are white and he treats us the same as he treats everyone else.
Marksville is about 20 minutes from an interstate and street condition is an issue there. Marksville has had no where near the economic serge that Natchez is enjoying. Our stats are very similar to Philadelphia’s. Look at there website. If you consider Marksville and Philadephia to be booming then you would have to agree so are we.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The boycott was directed at white people for the actions of an interracial school board. This was blatant racism. Black people who refused to participate in this boycott were videotaped and threatened when they went to local stores. West was a leader in this boycott. All I asked was if he had disavowed this course of action. I absolutely do not agree with the current style of making people give forced apologies for racist or any other behavior. I prefer to be thankful for people letting me know where they truly stand on an issue. Honestly, if I was told that he had repented of this behavior, I would never mention it again. If he still feels what he did was right, then I stand ready to disagree. I would never ask West to apologize. I only want to know if he did.

I was told 5 years ago that Marksville was a "boomtown" due to their casino.
We've had our casino much longer and we are only just now starting to look good? And Philadelphia has had theirs even longer......... The city of Natchez HAS NOT had a payoff from the casino by either operator. The politicians maybe, but not the city.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't believe you just made this statement "I prefer to be thankful for people letting me know where they truly stand on an issue. Honestly, if I was told that he had repented of this behavior, I would never mention it again. If he still feels what he did was right, then I stand ready to disagree. I would never ask West to apologize. I only want to know if he did."
I and others have "let you know" how the Mayor interacts with all groups in the community. It doesn't seem its the Mayor who the problem.
If you know that the Isle of Capri has paid off a public official, report it. If not stop making slanderous statements.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss, Wow. The Isle of Capri too? So it wasn't just Lady Luck that hired a bunch of local guys as "consultants" and "liaisons"? Gosh, thanks for the information.

As to my quoted statement which you don't believe that I made, I could really care less. You've made it extremely plain to me that PW has never apologized or repented for his racist actions. He can interact with groups all day long out of necessity and expediency. That doesn't change racist views.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oldgranddad,
Isle of Capri, "The city of Natchez HAS NOT had a payoff from the casino by either operator", your words not mine.
Racist views? Yours not the Mayors.

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will graciously allow you that last word.

Posted by natcheznative99 (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hitormiss,
I do not see why you are getting worked up over OldGrandDad's opinons. If you read his comments you will see that he has based all of his arguments on what he has heard and not what he has seen. Thankfully most of the public has a mind that is strong enough to lift their eye lids and they can see what a good job MAYOR West has done. Also, when a man takes a stand for what he belives is right, it does not show he is a racist, it shows he has character!

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vote Graning or Middleton!

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

rushinghjr, you don't have a vote here. Remember?

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's still none of your business! I have plenty of kin, thus votes and my money is against PW! I pay my taxes to support Natchez and weed out the carpetbaggars! Your reputation proceedes you along with your true colors being shown! Have a "restful" night! The South Shall Rise Again!

Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

its is painfully obvious reading all the previous posts that people in the community have strong opinions about Mayor West, mostly based on his past history of 20 years ago. As a state representative, he went against the Black Caucus (of which he was the president) to publicly support Chip Pickering's dad for judge. He made national news with that support. And what he said at the time was "after talking to Judge Pickering, I realized that whatever he thought back in the 60"s is not what he thinks now. I see myself in him a lot. People change and grow". My opinion, based on past events was very negative about him. But I have come to know him and find him to be sincere, strong in beliefs, and willing to stand alone for what he thinks is right. Do I think he has lived up to his full potential...no. He has made some big mistakes (and no, the Pecan Factory was NOT one of them). But so has every other mayor we've had. Am I going to vote for him..probably...because I don't think either opponent is going to do any better. The bottom line is that some of you are racists...pure and simple. You may hide behind words but your true colors come out in your statements. Mayor West could have brought a billion dollar industry here and it would make no difference- he is still black and some white people will never accept that as their leader. Its sad that our society still sees race as the detmining factor but its a fact. And no, I'm not black.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If as you stated, my “reputation “proceeds me”(what reputation, you do not know who I am?) and you stated my “ true colors being shown” ( I know those colors include every color) so be it.
The south shall rise again? The south is rising but it doesn’t like anywhere like the south of the mid 1800’s. Your rhetoric sounds like something out of a movie about the Klan.

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are still out in left field! Why do your kind still play the "Race Card"? It amazes me and all of the other posters? Yes, like the publisher of the ND, I have nothing to hide? I use my real name I am in Natchez enough to call it a home just as you do! In fact, I am in Natchez at this moment!

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rushinghjr,
I’m sorry maybe I misinterpreted your statements regarding carpets baggers and the south shall rise again. Please tell us what you really meant. I am glad you call Natchez home even though you do not live here. I call Natchez home and I cast my votes here.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 6, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmmm . . . ((hitormiss)) has hit the nail squarely on the head!!

((ntz143)) thank you -- your sincerity and honesty is refreshing!

Posted by JECS (anonymous) on April 7, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss--Truly I thank God for you. You hang in there. I did'nt leave Natchez because of work, because I found it. We left because we wanted a change. Prior to PW as he is called now I could'nt find work. You stand firm.

Posted by JECS (anonymous) on April 7, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ntz143 THANK YOU. YOU MAKE ME WANT TO MOVE BACK. THANKS.

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on April 8, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Natchez needs a mayor.

P West does not belong in the same sentence as "mayor".

Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on April 8, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I started to right a lengthy comment about racism but changed my mind....all you people who constantly blog negative remarks about others, I have a question. What do YOU do to make this community better? How involved are YOU in promoting positive change? Have you signed up for committees to look at recreation issues, volunteered at the Food Bank, attended public forums? Have you encouraged your employer to let you participate in Leadership Natchez? Do you attend church and participate in their community outreach program? Or are you sitting right now in the comfort of your home critcizing others even though you haven't lifted a finger to help better Natchez? If that's the case then please shut up. If you aren't engaged actively in your community, then you really have no right to criticize the work of those individuals who put up with the headache, B.S., and constant drama that surrounds community members who are trying to make a difference.

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 8, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We all know that these people who sit back and criticize are not the people who are out “doing” in our community. Becoming “board sitters” are the closest that some of them may come and then, they continue to sit back and criticize. These critical people are only a VERY small percentage of our population.
People who are active in the city know that the Mayor is a good hearted, kind person who is truly giving it his all to make a difference.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 10, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

((ntz143 and hitormiss)) your words of truth are resonating throughout the land. We hear you and wish the same. It is so disheartening to know that there are people out there who hate and bash him just because . . . which has nothing to do with his performance as Mayor of Natchez.

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 17, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like a die-hard liberal that is a bleeding heart!