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Natchez approves half-million dollar loan
Published Wednesday, May 27, 2009
NATCHEZ — To balance the budget, the board of aldermen have approved a $500,000 loan with a 2.95 percent interest rate from Concordia Bank and Trust.
At a previous board of aldermen meeting, City Clerk Donnie Holloway requested a loan of $1.1 million to balance the budget, which reportedly has been thrown askew by money transfers from the general fund to other city departments.
These loans, given to defray costs not budgeted by departments, have been accumulating for several years, and Mayor Jake Middleton has vowed to put a stop to them.
Beginning last week with a two-day set of budget hearings with department heads, the aldermen began combing through the budget to better understand how the money flows.
Additionally, the board wanted to look for any potential savings to supplement the $500,000 loan.
Middleton has called a workshop for 4 p.m. Tuesday as an extension of the previous budget hearings.
He said all items discussed during the budget hearings will be rehashed, and the meeting will also give the board an opportunity to make budget decisions.
Alderman Dan Dillard said he was glad the city was spending time reviewing the budget, and he said he found it helpful.
“This board is committed to getting a firm grasp on the budget,” he said. “This workshop should be very productive.”
In other news,
4 City Building Inspector Paul Dawes asked for the board’s approval to move forward with the demolition of 16 dilapidated properties.
He said the owners of the properties have been notified several times of the city’s intent to demolish, and none have replied to the letters that were sent.
The properties are:
4 1 Lynn Lane.
46 Mimosa Lane
46 Woods St.
4Nos. 15 and 48 Brenham Ave.
415 Reynolds St.
4Nos. 52 and 115 Parker St.
458 E. Oak St.
4Nos. 107, 1228, 30 and 34 Daisy St.
41234 Watkins St.
4268 W. Stiers Lane
4No. 5 Lincoln St.
The property owners were also asked to appear before the board of aldermen to petition, and only two appeared.
Only one property owner, Carolyn Wright, of Montgomery, Ala., requested that her 48 Brenham Ave. residence not be torn down.
She said although she is an absentee owner, she has made an arrangement for someone to cut her grass and weeds, and will continue to monitor the property, albeit from afar.
“I am deeply rooted in Natchez,” she said. “I’m trying to do the best I can. I wish you would just please give me a little time.”
Dawes requested she board the windows of the house, and Wright acquiesced.
The board said they would give Wright time to hammer out the details with Dawes.
Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis moved that the list of properties be approved pending City Attorney Everett Sanders approval. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
4Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins requested the board’s approval that he accept $500 in donations for a new police canine to replace the one that retired several months ago.
He stated he needs $8,400 total.
4City Planner John “Rusty” Lewis requested a public hearing for the June 9 aldermen meeting for a text amendment that would allow the industrial sales in the I-1 industrial district.
4Valencia Hall, Woodlawn Neighborhood Watch chair, requested additional police patrol, as large groups of young men and women have begun to congregate in the neighborhood during the daytime and have proved to be a nuisance.
“We are very concerned about the safety of our residents,” Hall said.
4Alderman James “Ricky” Gray requested all parents watch their children, as school has let out and summer has begun.
“I understand that school is out, but as parents, we have responsibilities — know where your kids are,” he said.
He also encouraged community policing of children to keep them out of trouble.
“They say it takes a village. We need to create a village for these kids,” Gray said.
4Alderman Bob Pollard requested City Engineer David Gardner get estimates on fixing the culvert at the front of Woodhaven Subdivision, which has collapsed four feet and poses a threat.
“If we don’t do something immediately, it’s going to become an emergency,” he said.
Comments
Posted by abc747 (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 3:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is the City of Natchez going to Concordia Bank for this big loan and not to a Natchez bank? Doesn't seem right that all that interest will benefit a Louisiana bank.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate to see this loan being taken , bad move ......
Good job Mr. Dawes on demolition.
You think any parents heard Mr. Gray's request? That is the silliest and most stupid thing for an alderman to do. Like any parents at all are going to pay attention to him at an BOA meeting. How ridiculous can you get? Is he always wasting time and effort with such nonsense?
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
City of Natchez, please add the Sears building (go take a look - it is gross) and the building across the street from the Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center on Homochitto Street.
Posted by homegrown (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't need a loan, the supervisors and aldermen needs to stop raising their pay every year and taking trips.------On the children it takes a ferm hand at home and at school. Make the parents responsable, a village can't do anything till thats happens.
Posted by rburke1 (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
4Alderman Bob Pollard requested City Engineer David Gardner get estimates on fixing the culvert at the front of Woodhaven Subdivision, which has collapsed four feet and poses a threat.
Why would the City Engineer have to get estimates on something that is so routine in Public Works. They don't have any employees that know who to repair a culvert?
Posted by jimi (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone seems to have taken my line here...what's going on? Early bird gets to complain first?
Those dilapidated houses need to go, now...if Mrs Wright is so deeply rooted in Natchez then she needs to realize her roots have gone rotten...time to cut down the tree, Lady. And Mr Dawes, while you're at it, there are plenty more where those came from...how about all the crap houses on St Catherine St and Franklin St? Or that old house on Homochitto St across from the brand new medical center...it has a hole in the side of it!
Why in the great googled de-mooglees would we borrow money from Concordia Bank? B&K doesn't have any banks in Vidalia, do they? What about UMB? I understand the Biglanes have business in Natchez, but hey, it is Concordia Bank! Where's your civic pride? Live in Natchez, buy in Natchez, you guys aren't the Miss-Lou Board of Aldermen. Concordia parish (and most of Natchez, too) is already laughing at you for choosing not to participate in the bridge lighting, making fun of your inability to get things done, and now they're rolling in the floor because you chose to go across the river to borrow the money to pay back what Peter took from Paul.
Sheesh! Come on guys.....
I am so happy you guys have decided to go over the budget and hold a workshop, but consider one thing before holding the workshop on the budget...hire a real CPA to teach the workshop. Get someone who's job it is to read budgets to teach you how it's done and where savings can be made and how to do away with redundant spending.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Concordia Bank is also in Natchez.
Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't I get a loan for 2.95 percent?? I live in Concordia parish, with money in Concordia Bank.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nowdays it,s always a committee or company or a relative or somebody inquiring,inspecting,recommending,boards of inquiries,assessors,somebody,s always appointing somebody so they can get some of the pie. The money flows,changes hands a hundred times and we get stuck with the bill for a den of thieves.They appointed Scott Philips to assess,restructure NRMC,at a cost of millions. What a mess.
They want somebody else to tell them what a lot of folks with common sense already know and then charge the taxpayers a arm and leg. Outside contracters are the biggest crooks on the planet besides the US goverment and politicians.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on May 27, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did it occur to any of you that Concordia Bank probably offered the best terms? If B&K or UMB really wanted the business, hopefully they would compete hard enough to earn it. Apparently they did not.
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Concordia Bank has two branches in Natchez and is remodeling a building on Main Street for another branch. They employ Natchez people.
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jimi, you are correct about Mrs. Wright needing to go ahead and take care of business. She is asking for a little time. From what I understand, it takes months for the city to arrive at the point where a house can be demolished so she has had plenty of time.
Posted by gunther57 (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i would like to think the natchez banks turned them down, because they knew they wouldnt get paid back.
I HOPE EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR THESE FOOLS ARE DAMN PROUD OF THEM, YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED NOW LOOK HOW THE CITY IS DOING.
Posted by jimi (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natasha--that's just politics as usual...by hiring someone to tell them what to do, the politician can then shuufle the blame onto the consultant when things don't work out...however, should things by chance work out, the politician can take all the credit, not only for whatever, but also for hiring the consultant.
Concordia Bank-- I don't really care that Concordia bank got the loan...they are just as much a Natchez business as the rest of them...it was just my warped sense of humor and my disappointment that we are not participating in the bridge lighting, and that our best mayor ever had to go across the river to cut the ribbon on a project he began. But then, we have to go to Washington, DC and shake hands, go to the NAACP party and shake hands, travel to the coast to see how they're doing and shake hands...that's what I call the next pandemic to sweep the nation........... the-Politician BS Flu...don't let 'em kiss your babies, and wash your hands immediately after any contact.
BIG SMILE---------------->>>>>>>>>>
Posted by duck (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchez pd just got 8 new cars,all came from jackson.
what happened to buying local???
Posted by realsista (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alcorn State University fires record number of 62 of employees today! 40 more expeted by weeks end!
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HAS EVERYONE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE FORMER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BUILDING ON MAIN STREET????
JUST BECAUSE IT'S FOR SALE, DOES THAT NEGATE "DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT"????
Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Duck, I could tell you the local dealers just refuse to lower their prices but I want. The state does cars on a contract and NPD buys from whomever has that contract for the year.
Posted by duck (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tiredoflosers,maybe the mayor needs to be told about this contract,i think his new car came from natchez ford.
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