Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 2:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In the OOO,s things are different. All our values and family get togathers are a thing of the past for a lot of people. The economy is in a shambles. Gas is soaring by the day, it won,t get better. We,re paying for all these wars and people that just take up space working the system. The ones that deserve extra care and really need it suffer, the ones that choose not to work and laugh about it should be cut off. The bustling downtown is kinda sluggish, more boats will only make that worse. Downtown Natchez on Sunday used to have a lot going on. Now it,s Sunday shutdown instead of people out and about. But if we keep adding more resturants taxes and other taxes we will succeed in shutting down more business, which seems to be the aim of politics here. Taxing the few remaining people who live in Natchez and raising taxes on something because we think the tourists will pay more is weird, when the tourists keep steadily dwindling. It,s like making 50 chocolate pies a day and only enough people show up to buy 30 pies, whatca gonna do with the other 20 pies???

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow texasranger...you are attemping to bring us down huh? Not going to happen, we all still have fight in us. Excellent work Natchez Pilgrimage Tours and thank you for all you do! Thanks esp. Margaret Hall for all your hard work that you do all by yourself!

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

texasranger, when I was growing up in Natchez in the 50's Sundays had everything shutdown except for a few resteraunts and gas stations. Saturday was the out and about day, lots of people on the streets then.

Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with ((texasranger)) Natchez looks like a ghost town on Sunday (except the casino where people are loosing their last penny). I do know one place that will strive in Natchez & that's the Pawn shop for all the people to trade their heirlooms after loosing their money to the boat. Maybe it's I don't go to the right places, but heck it's not safe to drive around Natchez to find the action. Folks face the truth the drugs & ecomomy has taken a tole on our once beautiful Natchez.
You ask one of the city officials that will say this is not true to walk in certain areas alone at night & see what their answer will be.

Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours has to do a lot better than advertising hard in 200 mile radius. That's ridiculous. They need to do much much better PR than they are doing. They are relying on us taxpayers to do the job for them, but they have to do the bulk of their work. NPT in and of itself can't survive being run like this. They have to go out and get these tours instead of expecting these tours come to us.

Posted by ntzgurlwithclass (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope the cold weather leaves fast and it will be interesting to see just how many tourists will really come to Natchez this year . The tourism industry has slowed alot in this area since Hurricane Katrina.

Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The tourism industry in Natchez began slowing well before Katrina hit. It started the slope down in 1995. Ring any bells. Our first gambling boat came, but it, alone, did not do in the tourism. The head honcho at Pilgrimage Tours felt that the group tour was the way to go. He convinced many that it was the wave of the future and that the tourists owed Natchez for the privilege to come tour here. So the tickets were changed to five house packages with nothing else offered. You either paid to see five houses or you did not come. Many of our long time repeat visitors said they would have done five anyway, so they came on. What they did not know was that when a bus pulled up in front of a house, the people on the bus got to break line and do their tour. It did not matter if the individual had been waiting for a while for their turn. Remember, our future was on that bus. Consequently, many individual tourist were unable to see their five houses in the time allotted. When they complained, they were told to take a hike. They did and told everyone they knew all about it. Our repeat visitors, who came every year and brought more people, quit coming. Word of mouth works. The tourism started declining there and it has never recovered. Many workers, in the tourism industry, told the pilgrimage officials what the visitors were saying, "Natchez is nothing but a rip-off", but they refused to send out apologies or free tickets to those people. If you are able to see the true numbers, you can verify this. As one of the workers in the industry, our standing joke was that you would never get the correct numbers. You always got that the price of gas was too high, the weather was bad, people were afraid to travel, etc, etc. The excuse abuse was at work, and no one ever admitted they had slapped the golden goose right across the kisser.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Plus a lot of the people that came year after year have died. The tourism groups keep showing the same thing over and over. It is nice and I have seen the houses, but I only go back to see my favorite about once every two years.

It is Longwood, because you have to use your imagination to see what could have been. Kinda like the leaders of Natchez are doing now.Just imagine what Natchez could have been............

Posted by destiny (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

redusmfan, right with you again. Thanks for the e-mail and I do have to agree with you, I love Longwood and when I visit, my daydreams take me back into time. Tourism, in my opinion has been on a steady decline for the past 15 years. If the true numbers were posted for the public they would know. If you worked in an industry that catered to tourist you would know. It's a fact that cannot be white washed any longer. The true facts must be exposed. It's time for the tourism to get in the back seat and let the future have a chance in Natchez. The younger people will drive 300 miles for certain entertainment in Natchez, while older folks will drive in the opposite direction for their enjoyment. Just because some of the folks want to dress their children in costumes and display them in public does not mean the public will attend their little darlings performances regardless of how cute they are. It's time for them to wake up because most of the population is on the band wagon for a better future for Natchez. They have served Natchez well in the past, but that is exactly what it is, it's the past, stop trying to choke us to death with it.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Destiny, you are preaching to deaf ears. You will have many people jump on you with both feet for even saying that, just like they have jumped me to the point that I am tired of trying to make them WAKE UP.

Keep up the work and remember that many are with you. No matter what the blue bloods and grey hairs say...lol...

Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The architecture of the homes is enough reason to go look. Workmen, some slaves, built these homes long before power tools. The work that went into making each brick, carving all the fancy details, and making homes that have stood the test of time far better than any made today, give enough reason to go see them.

The very ones bashing the economy that put these houses in place need to look on the rich legacy left by those who have gone before. You cannot see such workmanship in today's structures. Take the tours; if something was made by slaves, the guides will tell you. It is part of the legacy left by the slaves, and it should be honored as such.

These spectacular houses are already in place. Keep what we have and strive to make it better. At the same time, work on getting something else in here. Do not even dream of factories. The companies have moved them all out of our country. This would make a good theme park area encompassing the river, the older homes, the old southwest jumping off point, the Natchez Trace, and our abundant wild life and fisheries.

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

frogprincess- thanks for that info- bad management of the tourism trade leads to no repeat customers- basic business

redusmfan-- don't stop talking about that theme park- big slides down the bluff, etc, a cool waterpark that features the river or something like that, or I need to design and plant a huge flower garden for the city I guess. I remember my folks used to take us kids over th LA to some tulip garden over there.

everybody -- you'd think with all that global warming going on it's be hot by now, but it seems that is not the case

I'm thinking we'd have more tourists if we had a really nice big garden to show off, the spring pilgrimage is too early for that, hellfire March is too early , this is so stupid, azaleas haven't even bloomed out yet.

Push the Spring Pilgrimage back to April or May when it's REALLY SPRING- it's still winter you pack of fools --
more kids are out of school and families could visit
there's more flowers and green leaves then,

Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All of these posts are correct. I am not a conspiracy type of person but the true numbers will never come to the public unless it is demanded. Tourism numbers start dropping a lot longer than 15 years ago. It has been in a steady decline since the early 80's. It was never really noticed untill we lost our industry and good jobs/ these dismal numbers were masked. Now it is more obvious at the waste and the burden of trying to show a good face that tourism is the bread winner for Natchez. Gas prices being high, hurricane katrina, these are bad things but they should be eye openers to the people and leaders of Natchez that this place is no destination by far! It's not to hard to get the numbers on tourism just use you eyes and ears. Drive by the visitors center and look at a near empty parking lot. Walk into the convention center and ask how many tourist or business conventions are being held this week, after all it's our buildings, we pay for it in taxes everyday. Go to the city auditorium during spring pilgm and see the 1/2 to 3/4 full seats. Remember when the city auditorium was renovated it lost a litter over 250 seats, this place used to be jam packed during spring pilgm in the 70's early 80's. After the last dance scene with the kids a good portion of the parents get up and leave before the show is over. Then you really can get an idea of how many tourists are in there. Let me tell you it is nowhere near enough to start paying for all the debt with this "tourism industry." My freinds the tourists of today are not the same breed of tourists of the of the past. They want action, golf, shopping and they have more money. Storms, heat,gas prices and such is not what is causing this market to dwindle. Everyday tourists blow over us in planes and by us on the roads and don't think twice about Natchez. As I have said before what do we have to offer a tourist of today that we didn't have in 1980. NOTHING! If anything we have less. Go to the library and pick up a phone book or a school annual from 1980 and look at the advertisement section. It's a shame

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've often wondered why Pilgrimage is in March - it is always still cold here. But I guess it is warmer than in the north. Krogers those gardens were in Newellton, near Lake Bruin. It was a lot of fun, had a little train you could ride around the gardens in, a gift shop, etc. The best time was in April when all the tulips were blooming, but a storm wiped everything out one year, and they never rebuilt. There was a ferry at that time at Port Gibson, and we would ride over on that. There is still a ferry at St. Francisville, which would be good fun for a Sunday afternoon to take kids on.
I would like to know how many individual tourists we get for pilgrimage compared to buses. That may make up the difference because a lot of retired people now just travel around in their RV's. Not many places to park them though. The one across the river is usually pretty full on weekends, I wouldn't send anybody to the one on 61S, Traceway on 61N is closed and the State Park and Clear Springs are pretty far away.
And for the theory of Global Warming, well some scientists are now saying we were just at the end of a small ice age and things are beginning to level out again. Only God knows and He ain't tellin'.

Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, Krogers, redusmfan did not say anything about a theme park. He was too busy downing the town. I think a theme park would be tremendous, and I was the one who suggested it this time.

NatchezEnema, we will never be able to go back to then, but as I said in the article above, there are many things already here that are not easily found elsewhere. If all the naysayers would realise that it will not help our situation to toss out the homes, we could all pull together to make ourselves outstanding. People only think they want golf, shopping, and the whole "something every minute" atmosphere. They are unhappily seeking something to fill a void that a little laid back quite time would fill. That is something not offered by the big cities. We have the laid back Southern heritage of sitting quietly on a porch with a big glass of iced tea. They could actually go home from vacation without needing a vacation to recover. I have said this for a long time. Lately, we have only offered to shutter the churches and shop all day on Sundays. They can get that in a thousand other cities. Why not offer something else like bagged lunches on Sunday, an open invitation to visit in our churches, and use of our rocking chairs on the porches. Until you have gone to worship our Creator, returned home to a cold meal, and just sat around chillin, you don't know how good life can be.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do they still have music in Memorial Park with a brown bag lunch? I do remember enjoying that when I worked downtown several years ago. A picnic in the Park each week would be fun, even for the local people.

Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You think a tourist of today is going to travel acroos the country to eat a BAGGED LUNCH? Or see a flowerebed? These tourist aren't looking for a place to CHILL. They can head on down south to the Beau Rivage and chill in a spa! Or sauna! Not sit on a porch swat bugs and eat a peanut butter and jelly with tea. This is the type of mindset that is killing this town. There is a place for that but that AINT GONNA GET IT. With the internet and the amount of info that is out there people do a lot of research before they travel and let me tell you they aren't looking for a bagged lunch. They want somewhere the kids will be occupied, the wife can shop, and dad can do his thing. CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE. What would disney world be like if they had the same rides as 25 years ago, what would the gulf coast be like if it hadn't invested in gaming in the early 90's. Major tourist attractions like disney and branson and such invest millions in different attractions to keep people comming. What I am saying is they invest millions in CHANGE. Sometimes it doesn't pay off, but they are not going to keep the same old song and dance and expect people to keep comming. I keep reading plant a new flower bed, repaint the houses, clean the streets, build a trail, WHAT A JOKE! But at the core, it's the same old thing, think of the millions that has been invested around here in the same old thing , to get people to come and look at the old homes. This city spent 13 million $ in the convention center, renovating the auditorium, and civic center, not to mention the visitors center. Imagine if we had spent 13 million for a horse race track and put a live feed to Las Vegas so people cold bet on them. Imagine busses with million dollar horses and their crews headed to Natchez to race. Nice yachts docked under the hill with tourists to see the races and gamble. Wide world of sports filming the races live from Natchez! Nobody has any damn vision around here and it makes me so mad. I have traveled all over this country, been to broke towns and booming towns. One thing in common with the towns that struggle is they don't have the money or the mindset for change. One thing common with the booming towns they constantly have something new to to offer. Natchez has had the money it just hasn't had the mindset. It's just plain IGNORANT to sit back and think the same old thing is going to all of the sudden one day just explode into a booming industry. Natchez is running out of time, when you cut the the tv on one day to national news and there is a program about how the goverment is having to go around and restructure failing schools and they have video and interveiws of Natchez. Think of that advertisement for N atchez

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Krogers, I am not giving up on the idea of a cool waterpark to help bring more tourist, but I would love to see it balanced with other REAL industry for the common man to make a year round living down there.

The flowers would be nice, but how about this,

MAKE IT DURING SPRING BREAK AND LET THEM SEE EACH HOUSE WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND WITHOUT ANY CONSTANT RESERVATION ABOUT WHICH HOUSE IS ON EACH ----ING TOUR...

I have seen some stupid business in the past, since I live across town from the former world headquarters of Worldcom, but making people only tour a few houses a day for $15 is moronic. But, just because they head up the tourism and garden society does NOT mean they are INTELLIGENT AT ALL.

Natchez Enema, we understand and feel your pain. We have felt it our whole lives. They lack any vision at all. And they seem to have a death-grip control on the city council and board of alderman. I have never understood it, but it all boils down to one simple thing,

From simple minds come simple ideas. Welcome to Natchez, if you do not like our way, hit the highway.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Frog prince, I said it a week ago, but it got drowned out by all the "Its a wonderful life here in Natchez" bombardment of my comments. I said they could build a huge waterpark at the edge of town and have the slides and rides themed like the old homes that they are so proud of. They could have more family entertainment and the families could visit a house or two, then take the kids to the waterpark. RIGHT NOW would be an ideal time to do it since the largest waterpark in Mississippi closed last week.

Keep up frog. Don't get left behind your whole life.....

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Red, the idea behind touring different houses on different days is simple - people live in many of those houses, and they need to know when to expect company. There are some houses on tour all year round, but the ones which are family homes are spiffied up just before pilgrimage and the families would like just a little privacy during the month. I know I would - don't even come to my house without calling first!

Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you want to catch the big fish don't go to a mudhole with a cane pole with hook and worm. Go to a lake or ocean with a big rod and reel with the right bait. I would rather 10 people come heare and spend 5000$ each than 50 come here and spend 15.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Freedom, I am tired of your mindless dribble over and over again. Everytime I post anything, your lips open and your mind closes.

They would know when to expect company, it is called during the PILGRIMAGE. It happens twice a year for the last 50 years or so. It last about a week and is started off by a big show with children in Confederate outfits and little girls in hoopskirts.....

Catch up please.......

Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Krogers---Delta Gardens was located between Newellton and Tallulah. I visited there many times. It was a delightful place to spend an afternoon with family.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pilgrimage has been going on in Natchez for 76 years and the ONLY reason they have certain houses open certain days is because of the privately owned homes that as someone else said, they get spiffied up, right before it occurs and if they did NOT lock them into the color coded tours everyone would only go to Longwood, Stanton Hall and Rosalie and the private homes wouldn't have anyone!
They've been doing it so long they now have it down to a fine science.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A fine science that is losing customers every year.

Insanity is the act of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

Sound familiar? 76 years....hummmmmmmm

you do not want to go into a battle of the minds with me, it will take 3 psychiatrist and 10 years of your life to get back to the place you were at yesterday before I unleashed on you with both feet.

Get it????

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EXCUSE ME?

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the only way to revive the tourist industry is to build theme parks & have entertainers perform here along with the motor cycle rally & the balloon races....but we have knuckle heads that want to build a walking trail thru natchez...yeah..that ought to bring in lots of tourist.if they dont fix the streets soon we will all be walking thru natchez

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Shedevil, the walking trail at Hattiesburg is wonderful. It helps the towns' people to stay in shape when they actually walk on it.

But, it is not a tourist trail. It only draws from the town dwellers. And from what I have seen in Natchez, a walking trail would only be a place for the thugs and druggies to rape and rob innocent people. That happened on the trail in Ridgeland 2 years ago and the users stayed away for a long time. It is just now getting back to where it once was.

I guess that what I am saying is that I am not against a walking trail in Natchez if the police and sheriff's department would properly watch over it. But who are we kidding, they have their hands full right now with the troubles that are already present in Natchez. Another area for them to watch would do nothing but spread them so thin that you could read this newspaper through the center of their officers....

Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vote for new leadership for Natchez and I feel that things will change! We have new leadership on the Board of Supervisors and I have hope that we will have a new Mayor and Board of Alderman! We also need an elected School Board and combine the Adams County Government and the City of Natchez Government! Maybe even the NPD and the ACSO?

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks sayitloud, for trying to explain to the village idiot, but I don't think he is worth bothering with. The only thing we can do is ignore his rantings because he does not bother me . I will say what I want to say, and I will try to say it in as nice a way as I can. But as for Red - redusmfan who?

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HAHA!!! Good girl freedom42! And thanks.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Neither of you are worth the time it takes to type a response. Go crawl back under your Hysterical Society rock and vegetate.

More than a majority agree that Natchez Needs a change of DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP. CHANGE IS COMING OR DEATH IS COMING. NATCHEZ, IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE.

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

red...a walking trail is nice for a community..but we already have one at duncan park.it is a few miles long and very nice.why waste the money on one in downtown.i see people walking fine on the sidewalks.the fat people in natchez wont use it anyway.if some of the large people would get a job they wouldnt need a walking trail.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Shedevil, I agree. But I said that if they insist, they need to have it guarded . I believe that they could use money to go attract real industry and bring much needed jobs to Natchez. But instead, you hear about mindless thinking like that. I just want them to realize that if they are insisting on doing it, guard it.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Are you threatening us red? You could get in some serious s--- if that is what you are attempting smartass.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sayitloud, remember america39120? He started threatening people and got banned altogether from the forums.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yeah! I do remember...thanks for reminding me. Some people never learn and think they are the only ones that have a "right" to post! Thank you freedom42.

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

red...they know not what they are doing

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sure we do.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no actually we do devil.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

how's it going freedom??

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's been a good weekend so far. If the weather cooperates I can work next week and that will be great! I really wanted to go downtown last night, but brrrrr! I'm not a cold weather chick!

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i dont see where any threats were made

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A fine science that is losing customers every year.

Insanity is the act of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

Sound familiar? 76 years....hummmmmmmm

you do not want to go into a battle of the minds with me, it will take 3 psychiatrist and 10 years of your life to get back to the place you were at yesterday before I unleashed on you with both feet.

Get it????

Yep....looks like a threat to me devilface.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I'm fixing to sit down with my family and have some b'day cake - chocolate on chocolate! Can't believe my baby is 23! Have a good night all!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

aaawwww! Tell the birthday baby HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Good for you freedom...I'm out of here too. see ya

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marcus....what a GREAT picture!!!!

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 8, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sayitloud...i might be devilface...but my butt will fit in a chair..go walking at the duncan park trails...

Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 4:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't ya'll know that we are all repersentatives of our area. If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you never have . DO something good for Natchez and stop the complaining and the blame game !

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 5:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep. Relax. Go count Alaska car tags, or something like that.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey OldGrandDad I saw one! Tourism isn't THAT bad when they are coming from Alaska huh?

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Morning! We used to keep a notebook in the car just to mark down license tags! Think we got one from every state but Hawaii, and got some from Mexico and Canada.
HI Sayitloud - got up with peaceout yet?

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you honestly think someone from Alaska would DRIVE all the way down to visit Natchez?

Do you even know how far it is and how long it takes to drive from Alaska?

Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

notfromnatchez, Of course not. we're all too ignorant to count miles and look at maps. And none of us have ever driven farther than Orlando.

sayitloud, I saw one the other day down on Pearl. I said something to someone and was told they (Alaska tag)were not here visiting. If thats the case, they better get their tag changed since the ticket is expensive.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

either they drove 4500 miles notfrom or they shipped it down regardless I saw it too and was very impressed for whatever reason they came to Natchez. Could be they are smart and on their way to Florida from Alaska!
Hey freedom42! Nope, nothing from peaceout yet. Think maybe she is off somewhere for spring break?

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes Mr know-it-all-notfromnatchez I DO know how far Alaska is and how long it would take to drive from there.

Posted by itsawounderfullife (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wish I had the free time and money to drive to Alaska, cause if I did you better believe id do it, I LOVE to travel, now that I have two small ones its been a loooong time scence ive been any where.

Posted by jandc1983 (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hello all. I am formerly from Natchez. I feel for the town each time I visit which I must say is not that often. I have often wondered why the biggest revenue in the town is derived from tourism. I have traveled abroad and find it odd, that Natchez remains in the 1920's where all other small towns with hopes of economic growth has reached beyond the pre-historic homes. To hold on to the ideas and revel in the past hinders ones ability to grow or accept change. It is 2008, I feel that Natchez has much more to offer than just touring of old homes. I have considered relocating to Natchez to open a chain of restaurants, but continue to run into road blocks, I am sure the Pilgrimage has something to do with that. The boats are ok, but Natchez needs Youth centers, theme parks and I am sorry, but visiting a theme park with rides and home that resemble the tour homes just does not peak my interest, but actual theme parks does. I visit the state park while in Natchez, the fishing is great. Possibly lobby Bassmasters to host tournaments at the park. Nathcez has great bass and catfish there. I would suggest looking around, in Natchez, there are few areas where people of all races can go and feel at ease. The education system is at such a low mark that I find it hard to beleive that parents are not outraged by the low graduation rate or test scores in the area. I would love to open a business downtown to give you all a choice for Sundays, but is the mind set of the old going to allow the business a chance? Look around, the decline of tourism is not just because of the economy, the old are dying off and the young are not interested in remembering the painful past. It's just not that appealing anymore. I am sure that I will get several messages with hateful comments, but someone said it earlier, think progress instead of more of the same.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jandc1983....yeah we need an Outback here!!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bless your heart itsawounderfullife.....won't be long though and they will be on their own and you can travel to your heart's content!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jandc1983 no nasty remarks n your comments because they are all true, just seems we are stuck in a rut ya know?

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a lot that could be done with Natchez, and none of us has said any different. But we seem to have to make do with what we have and try to promote it as best we can.
Hey notfrom - I drove to Washington State once - and back again and I didn't even kill hubby while on the way! Did enjoy the trip though, beautiful country.

Posted by momoftwokids (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Natchez is a beautiful city! We are all lucky to have been brought up around such picturesque surroundings. However, I do agree it is going down hill. We need more family orriented businesses. More places to take young families other than the McDonalds in Trace Town. I took my child to Duncan park and cut my hand on glass in the gravel when I was getting up from the rocks. That was our last time there. The river walk in Vidalia is equipped with camera's all along the walk way and monitored by the VPD dispatchers not to mention the VPD patrols regularly. It is a great idea to have a new community area such as this if it is kept up the correct way.

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jand C1983,

You are talking to deaf ears. The majority of the people want change, but there is a long list of people in this forum who will come back and say that it is not the Pilgrimage bunch that is causing the roadblocks. The REST OF US know the truth and feel for you.

We were trying to come up with an idea for a theme park that would not offend the sensibilities of the pilgrimage society, or the natchez hysterical society. I would rather see a theme park that looks like Disney or Six Flags, but it will not happen until the common people of the town WAKE UP!!!! They need to vote against ideas that hold the town back to the 1920's, as you stated.I wish them all the best, they need it.

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

red..its the blue haired ladies that wont let natchez grow...we can see it dying a slow death

Posted by itsawounderfullife (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sayitloud, I know and when that day comes ill probably wish I could turn back time. This is really of the sub. but every time I think about my boys growing up and moveing out I think about that song, "Remember When" by Allen Jackson.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I still have 2 living at home. People keep telling me to just throw them out and get a life. I really don't like to think about that - we've all had too much fun while they were growing up!

Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on March 9, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The person at the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours that many of you have criticized is a retired Medical Doctor who returned to Natchez with his wife. This man spends his days working for the betterment of our community with pay that works out to less than minimum wage. He works not only for tourism but for many things that will affect our community in a positive way, such as recreation for all of our children. He puts his time and money where his mouth is! How dare you criticize this man!
To all of you who keep posting negative comments about people in our community who working to make difference, the rest of us are looking forward to seeing you not only run for office but seeing that entertainment park you plan to build.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

itsawounderfullife.....THAT is very true! Sad but true. And don't you just love Alan Jackson! Great song. It is difficult and sometimes impossible to travel with a little one or two and they don't even always want to go where we want so at least that is something we can look forward to one day.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hitormiss, my understanding is that they don't even live in Natchez, but moved away years ago. Now that is sad! Dr. Jim is a wonderful man, trying hard to make his adopted home grow and prosper.

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

From the outside looking in, all I can say is Go Jake Go.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah they live here...they live in Evans Bontura on Broadway.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL sayitloud, I didn't mean the Coys ! I meant the people who make the most negative comments! Sorry!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on March 20, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

my bad