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City planner laid off
Published Friday, October 2, 2009
NATCHEZ — Mayor Jake Middleton on Thursday confirmed City Planner John “Rusty” Lewis has been laid off.
The layoffs have withered the Planning and Zoning Department down to one employee, Darlene D. Williams, who is set to retire Oct. 14.
“I don’t have much to say,” Lewis said. “I think somebody will have to be hired to be the city planner, and I hope it’s a strong person with a good education and professional certification.
“It’s happened now, and I hope the planning commission, the preservation commission, the mayor and the board of aldermen work well toward future goals together.”
Middleton said Building Inspector Paul Dawes, with assistance from City Engineer and Natchez Water Works Superintendent David Gardner, will temporarily oversee the Planning and Zoning Department. Gardner is also assisting Water Works Assistant Superintendent David L. Atkins in reorganizing the Public Works Department.
“(Dawes) has offered to help up there,” Middleton said. “Both (Dawes and Gardner) sit on the site plan committee to approve permits.”
Dawes said he and Middleton have not yet worked out details of his new role. When asked if he would receive additional compensation, Dawes said, “That too is yet to be discussed.”
“I’m a little fuzzy on what my duties will be,” Dawes said. “We haven’t set up a time to talk about that at this point.”
According to the City of Natchez’s Web site, the Planning and Zoning Department serves as an information and distribution center on matters of zoning, real estate development, code enforcement and residential, commercial and industrial development plans review.
The department also works closely with the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Natchez Preservation Commission and the Natchez Planning Commission.
Planning commission Vice-Chairman Ed Godfrey said it’s unbelievable Middleton and the Natchez Board of Aldermen would lay off a competent city planner such as Lewis.
“It’s the toughest job in City Hall,” Godfrey said. “Whatever project comes up, people are for it, people are against it, and the planner’s in the middle.”
Godfrey penned a letter to Middleton and the aldermen protesting Lewis’ termination, saying of the seven city planners he has worked with since his commission appointment 15 years ago, Lewis was the most qualified planner since James E Shelby. Shelby is now the commissioner of the Department of Planning and Community Development in Atlanta.
“Your plans to gut the planning department would be a major step backward for the City of Natchez,” Godfrey wrote. “Mr. Lewis inherited a disjointed planning department and has worked hard to bring it around.”
The city has had a revolving door of city planners over the years. Former Mayor Phillip West terminated former City Planner Dennis Story last year because he lived out of town.
West also terminated former City Planner Andrew Smith in 2006 after West said he received complaints about Smith’s job performance from co-workers and the public.
Former City Planner Bob Jackson resigned in 2005 to return to Arizona, where he had previously served as a planner for Native American tribes.
Planning commission chairman Deborah Martin said it is unfortunate Lewis was let go.
“What does this mean for the future of Natchez? Planning is essential to the growth and future of our city,” Martin said.
“Any progressive city has a qualified city planner to enforce their ordinances and codes. We need one to run the planning office in a businesslike manner.”
Preservation commission Chairman Marty Seibert echoes Martin and Godfrey’s claims. Seibert and preservation commission Vice Chairman Tony DeAngelis also wrote a letter to Middleton and aldermen objecting Lewis’ termination.
Speaking only for herself, Seibert believes Lewis’ departure wasn’t fueled solely by budgetary concerns.
“I was just very puzzled at this because this has nothing to do with (Lewis’) competence as a city planner,” Seibert said. “Personally, I believe he is the victim of a political trade-off.”
Lewis’ termination was effective immediately. Lewis was out of town Wednesday when Middleton announced the layoffs of Public Works Director Eric Smith, Director of Construction Francis Ransom Jr., Planning Specialist Dawn Williams and Land Use Planner Walter Huston.
Comments
Posted by NAMVET (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like Butch Brown will get his "TRAILER PARK" in the zone "B" now. Watch what I'm telling you !!!!!!
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yet another bad decision - by the mayor.
The planner was trying to do his job. The others needed to go - but I think without them Mr. Lewis would have been better off.
I am very disappointed with the Mayor - I think we had all hoped for better.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt a man of Mr. Lewis' experience will remain unemployed for long.
He has probably gotten a couple of offers already from cities that know his value.
Now we will see how all these unqualified people who are set to run this department manage to screw it up!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on October 2, 2009 at 2:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the net savings is only $200,000, expenditures still exceed revenues in the adopted budget. And if the city is to get out of the borrowing mode against future revenues, the mayor and boa need to make another round of cuts and soon.
Posted by dlow601 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
will someone please tell me how many jobs can David Gardner can hold down and oversee. I guess he will get a raise SOON
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like everyone up there has made a pact to protest each others fireings. I still think we can get rid of all of them and the sun will still rise tomorrow.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on October 2, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms. Seibert and Mr. Godfrey's comments are spot on. Moreover, I still do not understand why Mr. Lewis has been laid off, and why Ms. Brinegar was nearly laid off, while the head of "Community Development" remains untouched, along with the $38,000 salary that goes with the position--a position that was created by the previous administration and is of far less utility and effectiveness than the positions of Grants Coordinator and City Planner. In every way, it is detrimental for the city not to have a trained and experienced planner. Make no mistake, folks--this isn't about the city budget. This is purely political.
Until we, the citizens of Natchez, begin taking a more active interest in monitoring what our elected officials are doing, we will have exactly the city government we deserve.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on October 2, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, the article reads as though David Gardner is the MAN. If so, the mayor and aldermen should resign.
David probably has more personality, smarts, common sense, etc than the combined individuals on the boa.
Go David, show the downtown clowns that it can be done. However, you will need to cut another 15 to 20 positions to get the city on sound financial footing.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
City wide furlough will solve this.
Posted by ntzlvr (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
“Any progressive city has a qualified city planner to enforce their ordinances and codes. We need one to run the planning office in a businesslike manner.”
This is correct. Just shows that Natchez has never been or ever will be a progressive city. How long will this town be stuck on stupid? The Mayor and the entire BOA need to be swept out to the street in the next elections!
Posted by watcher (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What's to "plan"? The (whichever board) makes the easy decisions and the BOA makes the hard ones.
The rules/ordinances be darned.
Posted by watcher (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
.......... and David is the (1/3) City Manager.
We need to give him the other 2/3s
Posted by SIOUXLADY (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WATCH THIS.
THEY WILL HIRE SOMEONE BEFORE YEARS END OR ATLEAST BY JAN.
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a circus.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just so all you people understand, Jake doesn't have a vote in this. He only serves as a tie breaker. So all your calls concerning the mayor are a bit ridiculous. And Seibert and Co. were backing another candidate last year, it's completely UNFAIR to get comments from them.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like cuts that come from the top down. The entire city of Natchez is over staffed. This town isn't big enough to have all these positions. Quit complaining, most of these jobs are unnecessary and the rest can be done with fewer people. Good cuts, keep them coming.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Eagle1, concerning --> "it's completely UNFAIR to get comments from them"
Really, its beneath you to whine like this. Please get ahold of yourself.
Remember, comments are gathered where they are available.
:)
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OldDAD, not whining, stating fact.
Posted by broaderpov (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder Bread Boys Win Again!
Squeeky clean, Sunday school teacher, Johnny Waycaster, plants his draftsman, Dan Dillard, on the Board of Alderman to exploit alerwoman Joyce M-A's racist agenda and get rid of the city planner so that Waycaster and Assoc. will have an easier time with lining their pockets. Meanwhile, Mayor Jake Middleton, checks his hair again in the rear view mirror and falls asleep at the wheel hurdling toward the edge of...oh, darn! I've given away the plot.
Posted by Preacher (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since the city planner position has had a lot of turnover, it either does not pay enough, or when things get hot, they are left out on their own to dry. No city planner will ever be able to satisfy everyone in a historical town, but with a little support from the mayor and other inspectors it could be a tolerable position. I am not supporting or defending anyone, but we need to quit using the city planner as a scapegoat and get someone in that position that will do the job and demand respect for the office. We have hired too many people for this position and within a year they have been thrown to the wolves, left town or were fired. Get someone with experience, up the pay and back them up when they must make tough decisions.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I say we lay off the mayor and give Rusty his job back. Obviously we don't need this mayor more than need a City Planner who was doing his job. What does Jake do?
Posted by NatchezWizard (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Brett Brinegar has resigned her position as the Grant Writer for the City of Natchez. For verification, call the mayor's office.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezWizard, I certainly would not blame her. Once you learn the bed is full of snakes it's kinda hard to want to jump back in.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on October 2, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We still have not heard about a plan. I suppose the boa is in the same mode. Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil.
However, I will let you be the judge of the "Hear no Evil, See no evil, Speak no evil."
Do the downtown clowns think the public is that stupid or do they just not care? The boa has all ready agreed that public opinion is not needed, since the public is not elected.
Expletive, Expletive, Expletive!!!!!!!!
Posted by broaderpov (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again, Brinegar shows more back bone than the one cell organisms left at city hall.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on October 2, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is kind of depressing to find out that the newest boa members are fitting right into the old regime. I had no faith that aldermen (j, r, b) had the city's best interest at heart. Now, the latest three aldermen seem to be fitting the same, old mold.
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Isn't he the guy everybody was bitching about being picky about signage?
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This town is dying. Who cares about Pilgrimage, maybe those over 60-65? Every year less and less people come when that generation dies off then what?
This is not a retirement town, medical facilities are non existent. Everyone I know goes to Jackson, Baton Rouge or New Orleans.
No industry...unless you count all the minimum wage jobs that do nothing to boost the economic or educational levels.
Starting a business here...well we have seen how successful that is with the signage, zoning and other related problems.
All the tourism advertising in the world will not bring people here to invest, buy homes (189 ML, not including for sale by owner) or start a business.
When this town is more interested in taking out loans to build a Rec. center, or arguing about signage than fixing the problems of bringing in new ideas and progressive business it won't take another generation for Natchez to sink further into anti-bellum oblivion. The good ole' boy and girl cronyism isn't working, and until these people are gone in city government that can't see further than their nose, nothing will change.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do most of the ex-mayors leave town when they get voted out?
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say sweep the deck..........next election, let's some of us run for alderperson.
Then we can hold open meetings. Get everyone who wants to get involved...involved.
Yeah, we could come together as a community...black and white and brown, old and young, gay and straight, preservationist and progressive....really form a small town community. Everybody would pitch in, pick up litter, grab a paint brush, a hammer and nails with local businesses donating the materials and paint, and go to work on some of the dilapidated buildings, bulldoze the crap that's falling down, cut the grass, pull the weeds, clean up our own yards. Go into our schools and clean them up and paint where needed. We could all of us that live her make a concerted effort to do business here with our local companies, to shop here, to eat here, and keep our tax dollars IN here.
Employees would be given time off with pay to perform these duties...employers would go along because of the benefit they would receive from the effort.
Instead of wasting a bunch of money on a sports complex in hopes of drawing a bunch of outsiders and their money, we could build us a nice park out of what we already have...build a great big swimming pool, have a swimming team again, maybe find another Mr. Floyd and open the Canteen again so our jr high kids would have something to do besides text each other. Maybe we could even incorporate "First Friday" into "Every Saturday", maybe use some of our local talent for street parties, maybe build another drive-in ......make something to do, something we can all bring our kids and families and dance and celebrate life together where it's safe...safe like your own backyard.
We could do this. We could give up our time and put in the effort so we could re-plan the city government from the bottom to the top.
Our elected officials would come from the ranks of people who don't care about the next election, but care about Natchez...people who don't care what's best for one group, but what is good for all of us.....who don't care about getting paid, but care about getting our city into proper fiscal shape...people who care about bringing jobs to our county, and when the tourists come, they will see a wonderful, loving community of brotherhood and love and peace...and want to come back...and tell their friends and families, and co-workers.
Return Natchez to that great place to live and raise your kids...and do that FOR US! Not for profit. Not for bragging rights. Not to return to that place where the OLD south still lives, but awaken to a place where the NEW south is thriving....for us, for our children, and for our future.
Oh my, I'm sorry, have I been rambling on and on...seems I must have tripped on that rainbow and bumped my head in OZ....................
--mojo
Posted by observer (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're absolutely right, mojo. Our little town is a jewel, and a special one we should all learn to appreciate. It can quickly become an eyesore if every citizen doesn't care, and if there is no plan to prevent the urban sprawl that has wrecked so many pretty towns, historically significant or not. How ironic that the week of the History Conference is the very week our elected officials have chosen to try to turn Natchez into another of the many unforgettable run down towns that dot the south.
What do we have to do to persuade the Alderment to bring our planner back - and to persuade him to agree to come back after such a slap in the face. Let's do whatever it takes. Does anyone know to whom we should write to make this happen? Speak out, folks. Let your dismay and disgust be heard loud and clear.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"BROADERPOV",,, When you said "waycaster, squeaky clean, sunday school, you were joking, right? I hope so, because he's far from that. Ask his ex wife..lol
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well I'm proud that our city leaders are cutting
with the city NOT expanding
WHY do we need a city planner? What PLANS do we have????
I've called in complaining about people NOT cutting their bushes back (now why that goes through city planner, I do not know, but that's who the mayor's people routed me to) so I can see around the corner and not get run over.... and NO CALL BACK, and thus no action
I say GOOD CALL on cutting back
You guys are VERY hypocritical- one day you want a reasonable budget made and adhered to, which means keeping expenses within revenue, then when cuts are made YOU COMPLAIN, you don't make sense.....Our city leaders are making some very tough decisions, I'm sure they do not enjoy letting these folks go, ......
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
did you notice in the article that our city planning commission has had the same folks for 15 years!!! Seems there would be some term limits on those seats??
maybe we need some new ideas there???
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mrmojo, I wish more would trip on that rainbow and bump their heads really hard too!
We just might get some where then instead of spinning our wheels!
Posted by ntzgnt (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again "puppet politics" plays out in our fair town! In a recent conversation concerning least desirable jobs in Natchez a statement was made and affirmative head nods followed. The entire group agreed that the position of Mayor and/or City Planner would be the last choice of a job in Natchez. The Mayor is under the thumb of some group of powers to be and the City Planner is under the thumb of the Mayor. Mr. Lewis was the most qualified of the numerous planners this town has had in recent years. He brought education, experience and honor to a position that has been held by lesser mortals. He took the position with high hopes of living in a town he appreciated and being an intregal part of seeing this town progress for the good of the town. However, I feel Mr. Lewis has fallen victim to basic political arrogance and hyperactive ego. Maybe those who decided that the decision to "lay off" Mr. Lewis will actually be awake during the next BOA meeting and realize that they have made a mistake. I know many Natchez residents who wish they had not made such a big mistake as the one made in '08! There are some of us who think that we should elect a new mayor and BOA every 30 days!!!! At least there would be a viable reason for those offices to continue to be ineffective in bringing Natchez to the place in the world it can and should be.
Posted by whatdoino (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What irony. The city planner wanted to fire his staff many times but the mayor would'nt let him. Just ask him. His staff brought him down because of that. Then, what does the mayor do after Mr. Lewis is down flat on his back, he fires the staff and Mr. Lewis. Wow, what irony. Of course, it was all part of Arceneaux's grand scheme to purge and prune. Except, the pruning was at stump level. Jake is too naive to see it and too weak to do anything about it. Its sad.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on October 3, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
krogers---absolutely right...trimming is needed, we all know that, from a business point of view if nothing else.
But they need to trim the fat first. There ARE many redundant hires that were made under the last administration. You know, cousins, brother-in-laws, campaiign contributor's kids...they created positions that over-lapped one another, and that's politics as we know it in the US of A. And yes, I know these are mostly minimum wage jobs, but they also include insurance costs, worker's comp, both federal and State, employer share of Social Security and Medicare, and Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) is a direct cost to an employer. Maybe we had the money for the lagniappe then, but we don't now...........cut the fat, re-hire them once we get things right again and start making more than we're spending.
Anyway, the rule of thumb...add 30% of their wage to come to the total cost of that particular hire...
A minimum wage earner makes about $16,000 plus the cost to hire of $4800.
True scenerio----$20,800 each for a crew of seven to remove debris after the last storm...when I drove by the scene of the crime, two guys were sitting on the tailgate of the truck, two were leaning against the truck--- at least they were standing--- two were actually working, and the last guy was out were the two were working leaning on his shovel. That was just one of the many "crews" out cleaning up.
The way I look at it, that's over $100,000 we could cut right then and there.
It ain't rocket science.....
---mojo
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on October 3, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
*******************************************************
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.
Just so all you people understand, Jake doesn't have a vote in this. He only serves as a tie breaker. So all your calls concerning the mayor are a bit ridiculous. And Seibert and Co. were backing another candidate last year, it's completely UNFAIR to get comments from them.
*****************************************************
Jake, is that you? LOL
Posted by barneyfife (anonymous) on October 3, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope any of you fools think that Jake has the time or energy to post or read these blogs. I am a dear friend of his and when I attempt to laugh about the ignorance put on this blog, he doesn't even want to hear it. As Eagle1 said, he has no vote in this unless there was a tie. And if you incompetent idiots would do your homework to see that there was a 6-0 vote on this you would know that he didn't even vote. So shut up, and do your homework before you start running off at the mouth. None of you will ever be able to appreciate the over 60 hour a week job he does of mayor of our city and tries to keep the ignorance at city hall at bay. You all have a lot to learn. Start studying now, it will take you a while.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
barneyfife, you want us to feel sorry for Jake. Get real. The whole bunch is history.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
krogers, yes the cuts did need to be made. They just went about it wrong. Someone spoke when they should have kept their mouth shut. Employee confidentiality was broken. Word got out on the street and an employee found out she was getting canned through the grapevine. This was the first mistake. It just went downhill from there.
Don't we have a City Attorney that tells these clowns what to say? If so, he needs to be writing scripts for them and telling them not to say anything that is not in the script. Every time they open their mouths, this whole situation gets worse. It would be funny if it were not so serious.
Posted by Fenwick (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Barney Fife, the "fools" will be the people that vote for jake a 2nd time in order to keep getting stabbed in their backs.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ProNatchez (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 7:45 a.m
Don't we have a City Attorney that tells these clowns what to say? If so, he needs to be writing scripts for them and telling them not to say anything that is not in the script. Every time they open their mouths, this whole situation gets worse. It would be funny if it were not so serious.
I know the city has an attorney and he needs to be fired too for the total incompetence of NOT doing his job on advising the BOA and Mayor! From what I've read on here he rarely attends any of the meetings, so how can he tell these out of control politicians anything?
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