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Two candidates hope to replace Middleton in Ward 6
Published Saturday, April 26, 2008
NATCHEZ — With long-time Ward 6 aldermen Jake Middleton running for mayor of Natchez, his seat on the board is open and being pursued by only two candidates.
Dan Dillard
Dan Dillard said if elected he would focus on issues dealing with infrastructure, recreation and economic development.
“You can judge a community on how it (plays),” he said.
Dillard said the mark of a highly functioning community can be seen in how much value is placed on their recreation.
For Dillard recreation means more than just playing in the park.
Dillard said a higher functioning recreational system would give the youth of the community more activities to participate in and less opportunity to find mischief.
And Dillard’s ideas for recreational improvements in the area are a bit different from others so far.
Dillard expressed an interest in possibly having some type of landscape architecture program, from a local university, partner with Duncan Park to improve the golf course.
And at Liberty Ball Park, Dillard suggested pursuing preservation grants, given the park’s age, to improve the facilities.
Dillard said he views recreation as a means improve the rest of the community.
Dillard said if Natchez had facilities that could better attract sports teams statewide, incoming spectators and participants would be more apt to spend their money in Natchez.
“They shop, eat and stay in our hotels,” he said.
And with all the new traffic coming into the city, Dillard said it is critical to make sure the cities arteries.
Dillard said if elected he would focus on repair roads in Ward 6 but would also carefully study the maintenance program used by the city make sure the roads last as long as possible.
“We can’t just overlay all the time,” he said.
Forrest Foster
Forrest Foster said if elected he would try to consolidate the board of aldermen and the Adams County Board of Supervisors.
Foster said the consolidation of both entities to a single five-person board would save money in salaries for the county and the city.
Foster also said the new board would be a full-time position.
Foster said he did realize the transition would not be a fast one but called it, “something to move toward.”
Foster, like Dillard, said he would also focus on improving recreation in the area.
In Foster’s plan, one large recreation center to host large athletic events would be preferable. Foster said a large recreation complex could help to attract recreation to the area.
Once in town, Foster said those who would have originally come for the sporting events would be attracted to the city and likely come back for secondary visits.
Also on Foster’s agenda — public schools.
Foster said he would work to restore pride in the local public schools.
Citing the ability to attract business interests in the community Foster said it is critical to have a well functioning school system.
“That’s what a business looks at when they come to a new area,” he said. “We need to come together as a community to give them what they need to educated responsible citizens.”
David Nations
On Friday, Nations said he has decided not to run for the aldermen position.
He cited only personal reasons.
Comments
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dan Dillard must be a visionary. Finally we have someone who understands that you can't keep slapping asphalt on the streets without digging out some of the old. I hate to see public funds poured into golf since its such a pansy sport. But hey, if it brings in out-of-town pansies to spend money, I'm for it.
Mr. Foster, I'm afraid the consensus is that consolidation is never going to make it and is only a campaign tool. And pride in the public schools is certainly going to be hard to measure.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 2:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yawn, tell me what business wanting to locate here drove through the park first to see who was playing golf or swinging on the swing set? Get a life, this shows the mentality of people wanting to move Natchez ahead and what is wrong with this town.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad...Dan has an architectural degree and used to work for me, I'm not sure he ever got his license though. With that background he should know that you can't just keep overlaying.
My pick in this race is for Mr. Foster.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, since I don't know them and don't have a vote for them my opinion is worth about as much as my walking stick (free).
Hey, All I know is what I read in the papers.
I'd love to see some big ideas from all candidates. I'd love to see some of them stepping out of "the box".
And I'd love for the surface of the streets to stop increasing in altitude.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(Sam) With the degree in your chosen field of architecture, do you have to have a license to practice or to be hired? I also agree with your pick because of Foster's commitments!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A Bachelor of Architecture degree, which Dan has, allows you to work under another licensed architect, but not to practice on your own.
That was my point with Dan, I don't know if he ever completed the internship and successfully completed the Architectural Registration Examination in order to get his license, but he OUGHT to know, as he stated, that you just can't keep overlaying streets forever.
While I like Dan personally, I think he has too many questionable connections, i.e. he works for Mr. Waycaster who does business with the city and county and also announced he was running for alderman in Ward 3, (although, he seems to have dropped of the radar screen).
Dan is also half-brother to Henry Watts, current president of the Board of Supervisors. His wife, Janet Cole, is the daughter of former Britton and Koontz VP James Cole, a very powerful man behind the scenes in the recent past, which may bring up the question of who the power behind the throne really is and who is paying for his campaign.
Seems to me that with Mr. Watts, Mr. Waycaster and Mr. Dillard in office, too much power is potentially wielded by too small a group of people.
Mr. Foster doesn't seem to have these entanglements and can thus act independently for the good of Natchez without checking to see how decisions he makes will affect his employer or his half-brother.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, don't stop now. Keep throwing out names. I'll find out I'm kin to all of 'em.
Waycaster dropped out some time back with a nice explanetary letter to the Democrat.
Posted by andy (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
go foster a business man that has made it you will be good for the city maybe you can show the old alderman how to spend and save money like in your personal business
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad...did the Democrat publish Mr. Waycaster's letter?
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep. Should still be in here or somewhere's about..... I've misplaced my reading glasses again.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Found 'em
http://natchezdemocrat.com/news/2008/mar...
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After seeing andy's posting, I guess we know who the Sheriff is supporting.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thank you OldGrandDad...I missed it...plenty of comedy and hypocrisy in his letter I must say.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It sounds like you don't sing in the choir together. There must be some bygones that ain't gone.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad...yep!
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sam - interesting comments - I understand your point about conflicts of interest, but the fact that he is related to everyone probably will be the key to his success.
Sam some people in this town have worked to limit or damage rivals or competitors. I am sure this happened to you too. I don't know Dan or Foster. - I am not even in their district, the winner will be the one with the most relatives in his district! (assuming they come out and support him)
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