Crime a platform in Ward 4

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, April 24, 2008

NATCHEZ — Like most other wards, education, infrastructure, crime and roadwork have become the dominant forums for the candidates running for spots on the Natchez Board of Aldermen for Ward 4.

Ernest “Tony” Fields

On the top of Tony Fields’ list of tasks to work on if elected — educational improvements.

Fields, an assistant principal at Frazier Primary School, said early childhood education and early childhood focus needs more attention.

Fields said the local school district would be served well by a study of similarly sized districts to see how they operate at various levels of success.

One of the biggest issues to be addressed in local schools is discipline Fields said.

Fields said a lack of both academic and behavioral discipline has caused “great disruption in the classroom.”

Fields said he regularly hears from parents who are “crying for help,” with their children.

“This is where our future workforce comes from,” he said. “We need to show we value the system.”

Aside from issues dealing with education, Fields said he would concentrate on improving the city’s infrastructure.

Fields said he would lobby for new funding — to be derived from new casinos coming to the area — to fund street overlay projects.

Fields also said he would work to remedy dilapidated housing in Ward 4.

Fields said to work with blighted housing in the area he would continue to pursue grants and work with groups like Housing and Urban Development and Habitat for Humanity to rehab salvageable houses.

Donnell Newsome

After 27 years as a coach and educator in the Natchez-Adams School District Donnell Newsome retired and began a teaching career in Ferriday.

He said all that time in the local school system has made him aware of problems that need to be addressed in district.

“Sometime down the line we’re going to need to build a new school,” he said.

Newsome said he the district lacks pride and if elected he plans to instill a new level of pride in the schools.

“That’s what were lacking now,” he said.

Next to lack of pride, Newsome said school overcrowding is hindering student’s ability to learn.

Newsome said schools, like Natchez High School, should be divided by grade levels in separate buildings.

Newsome he would concentrate on fixing neighborhood streets not just the thoroughfares running through the city.

“There’s a lot of Ward 4 people just don’t know about,” he said. “And that needs attention too.”

Theodore “Bubber” West

For 17 years “Bubber” West has been serving the City of Natchez as aldermen.

And for more than a decade before that he served on the Metropolitan Planning Commission in Natchez.

“I think my experience and voting record speaks for itself,” he said.

West said if re-elected he would focus his efforts on projects already started in an effort to finish them before his term ends.

If re-elected West said the next term would be his last.

West said he would continue to work on projects dealing with recreation in the Natchez area.

“Basically all the pieces are in place,” he said. “It’s just a matter of putting it all together.”

West also said he would continue to work on blighted housing in Ward 4.

At an aldermen meeting Tuesday, West said he voted to adjudicate 16 houses for demolition.

While West acknowledged problems with blighted housing he noted solving the issue is often complicated and costly.

“There’s no easy way to deal with it,” he said.

West said he is in favor of working with groups to refurbish some of the houses.

“It helps to eliminate blight and get the property back in the tax base,” he said.

West also pointed to his experience on the board as a reason for re-election.

“I have served under four mayors,” he said.

West said in that time he has gained a thorough understanding of city business and could be an asset as a senior member of the aldermen since David Massey and Jake Middleton, both senior aldermen, will not be running for re-election.

If re-elected West said he would continue to diligently serve the people of Ward 4 but said there’s more that just one ward to focus on.

“You need to act in the best interest of the entire city,” he said.