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photo by Ben Hillyer
Natchez City Planner John Lewis started his first day of work Monday.
New city planner gets to work
Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008
NATCHEZ — The new city planner for Natchez is on the job and said he is excited about economic development, maintaining historic preservation, writing a comprehensive plan and staying in town for the long haul.
Though John Lewis has worked in several different locations, he is no stranger to this city.
“Natchez has been familiar turf for me for a long time and over the years, I feel that I’ve gathered some understanding of local problems and opportunities before us,” Lewis said.
He said there is important work to be done and he wants to do his work while maintaining the soul of Natchez.
“The city’s economic development promise is both complemented by and at one with its nationally recognized historic preservation depth and its small town character,” Lewis said.
He said planning decisions made well, promote growth of business and economic development.
“I am particularly excited of the prospect of working to update the comprehensive plan of the city,” Lewis said.
The city’s comprehensive plan has not been updated in almost a decade, and normal practices of city planning dictate that a comprehensive plan should be updated every 10 years.
Lewis said he believes that citizen response and outside professional help are key in the process.
“The comprehensive planning process itself is as important as the document, the plan, that comes from the process,” Lewis said. “The process should be born of citizen participation.”
Before Lewis came to Natchez, he was working as the city planner in Pascagoula.
Lewis said through his 20-plus years in city planning, he’s bringing a lot of knowledge to the table.
“I feel I’m in a good position to help Natchez and I know Natchez is a good place for me and I think I can do a lot to work with the city and help the city over time,” he said.
Over the past seven years, he has served in several different capacities of city planning departments in Hattiesburg, Tupelo, Hampton, Ga., Hendersonville, Tenn., and Gallatin, Tenn.
This, however, does not mean that Lewis plans to pack his bags after a short while.
“I’m here for the long run and I’m at an age where my career is one of the most meaningful things that I have,” he said. “I am very anxious to buy a house and be a stable part of the community. That’s why I’ve come here.”
Lewis applied for the position the last time it was three years ago, but the board was wary of how many jobs he had changed in a short amount of time.
Natchez has seen many a city planner come and go and that it attributed to several different reasons.
It’s been called the “nature of the job,” by West and he has also said that the city planner for Natchez doesn’t get paid enough.
The former city planner had intended to move to Natchez, but never did, and was one of the reasons he was terminated at the beginning of this year.
West said that when Lewis applied the second time, he spoke of his desire to live and stay in Natchez, which calmed any fears.
“I’m very fortunate to have been selected and want to make the best of it and I feel that I have a lot to offer and I’ve know for a long time that Natchez has a lot to offer me,” he said.
“I love the city and its people.”
Comments
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thing have not been updated in 10 years? Hmmmmmm. I wonder why? I wonder how much that cost the tax payers of Natchez? welcome to Natchez John, I hope you can do something that so many before have not. Here is a little advice, Lead, don't follow the way things have been done before you. Their way is broken. Be aggresive, and try to break that stagnant mold that has been downtown for so long. Tell them how to do things (that's what you are paid for), if you do things their way nothing will change around here and I doubt they can show you many things they have done. Anyway, we will be watching you, Welcome to Natchez
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 4:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i hope he can get the streets repaired instead of working on a walking trail that we dont need to spend money on
Posted by concernedNTZcitizen (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree shedevil. The streets are terrible.
Posted by speakeasy (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The walking trail will bring visitors who will spend some money which, ideally, will provide revenue for street repair and other much needed improvements in our community. And, most of the money for the trails comes from govt. grants and donations.
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A comprehensive plan is a tall order for anyone; especially in Natchez. No wonder it hasn't been done. He will really have some hurdles to get over with much of the no change mentality he will encounter. Maybe he will have a template, a plan based on something he has already done that he thinks he can modify to the needs of Natchez. It will be vague enough not to make the no-changers mad and keep the pro-changers happy. That way both groups will challenge the validity of progression when they don't like it.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this man's job will having nothing to do with road work. That comes out of the engineering dept. This man is responsible for devolping areas of the city for an intended purpose. However the road are awful. Have been for some time. The Mayor and board need to address this. I have heard Jake Middleton saying this in his campaign. If he is elected and does one thing, let it be road work!
Posted by triscuit (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the article is saying that one of Lewis' first orders of business is to update the plan. It doesn't say that updating of the plan is overdue. It says it's just about time to update it.
The reported experience and qualifications of John Lewis are impressive. I'm glad he took the job.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I haven't been to all those other places listed as projects he has worked on, but I do like the new look of Hattiesburg.
Welcome to Natchez, Mr Lewis.
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome Mr. Lewis. As for the city streets, their poor condition and the poor condition of the schools are primary reasons for not re-electing Phillip. Time for Natchez to have a new mayor with new vision and perspective.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the natchez trails would be great if visitors would come...but this town is in so much debt now from that kind of thinking that i will not live to see it paid back.what happened to the eighteen hole golf and the walking trails there that was to bring in so many visitiors...the new convention center..the new hotel at the convention center...so how can people walking around town on the sidewalks with new signs going to bring in people to natchez...not going to happen.good luck with your new job mr lewis and best of wishes
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Lewis , Welcome to Natchez ! Your work is cut out for you . It's going to take a strong individual to help us . Just remember this ...." If you want something you've never had , you have to do something you never have " .Good Luck !
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems to me, the problem with Natchez is in their only trying to attract older mature people who have no young kids. If there was something for the kids to do, families might choose Natchez for a vacation spot; but as it is, they have to find a babysitter prior to coming.
Posted by ilovenatchez (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to Natchez! It was a delight meeting you today.
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too, agree shedevil. Not only the street surface itself, but the curbs as well. The pebbles, weeds/grass growing out from within the cracks, cigarette butts, etc. are an eyesore! Where's the new high tech sweeper? Let's not forget the whacked Magnolia Trees underneath the utility lines. It's best, they be removed, than to keep them whacked. Am I right? New ones can be replaced near by, from what I have seen in most cases. I see that the new sidewalks, in front of the Police Station and the newly constructed overpass to Liberty Road are looking excellent! And, those along side of Pine Ridge Road are still an eyesore. I have noticed that there is not an "End of School Zone" sign, as one travels past Trinity Episcopal School, heading north. When does one know when to step up to the speed limit?
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Added Point! This will be Mr. Lewis's 2nd time as an employee of Natchez as per the subject article.
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
grrbrts, go pull some weeds and pick up a broom and do it yourself rather than sit there and whine about it.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
grrbrts is right. We pay for these services in taxes, we are due this scope of work. Whenever I ask an city employee or alderman when my road is going to be repaired they say there is no money for it. How would the city react when my taxes were due if I told them I didn't have the money? I can tell you what would happen, my house would be seized and auctioned.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Lewis, welcome to Natchez.
We all know you will not be responsible for fixing our city streets. As far as Middleton using streets in his campaign, he has served on the board for over a decade and I’m sure has worried about our streets before now. Streets are apparently a concern for the Mayor and all the board as work is about to begin (see democrat article http://natchezdemocrat.com/news/2008/mar... ).
Mr. Lewis, please view the negativity on this site as only the view of a some few who are never happy, again welcome to Natchez.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. lewis,
please do your job to the best of your ability. That way, when you leave in a couple of years, you will be able to say that you have done your very best. I know you do not stay anywhere very long, but I also understand why.
Please do not let the blue-hair brigade, downtown clowns, and hysterical society bother you. They always try to tell the city planner what to do, then wonder why they are having trouble keeping a planner.
Welcome to Natchez.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, does anyone know if there a way to get a chart that shows the actual number of tourist that come strictly for Pilgrimage?
I would like to see a 10 year chart to see if it going up, going down ect....just curious!
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
got $20 dollars on it being a downward spiral for the last 15 years there ntzmom
Posted by supertrucker47 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WHY DO WE NEED A CITY PLANNER?CANT THE MAYOR MAKE PLANS FOR THE CITY?THIS JOB IS A WASTE OF THE TAX PAYERS MONEY.AND MAYOR?DO YOUR JOB OR GET OUT!
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That is what I am thinking redusmfan...
maybe if we are correct, maybe, just MAYBE, some things could change around here.
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
supertrucker47
FYI, All cities our size have at least one planner.
Posted by jethro (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My Word! He sure is lookin old. He He...
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
red...the last one i saw was kinda confusing....i thought it was a staircase.it started with 1980 as the top step and made 27 gaint steps down
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tiscuit is absolutely correct, it is the norm that the city plan is updated every ten years. It is NOT OVERdue, just due. The new city plan in most communities in the US, usually follows after the national census results are released, so that the infomation garnered from the census can be utilized in the planning. The census information taken in one year can take the federal government several years to analyze and release.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure that our new planner is absolutely thrilled to receive all of these anonymous welcomes. I'd rather welcome him in person and I'll be glad to have him up on the porch for a coffee or julep when he comes by. If I happen to recognize him, that is. Apparently the Democrat didn't have the time to wait until he got off the phone in order to take his picture. Shoot and run. Time is money. Kevin must be a hard task master.
Yep, he does look like an older fella. But then, he could also look like the Home Improvement neighbor.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr: I didn't see anything in the article regarding his previous employment in Natchez, I even went back and re-read it.
redusmfan: "blue-hair brigade, downtown clowns and hysterical society" come now...who are THEY? Don't use smear and fear tactics and general abuses, it's simply childish...why don't you have the courage to say who you mean? I'm inferring, from your comments, that you're referring, respectively, to the garden clubs, NDDA and the Natchez Preservation Commission/Historic Natchez Foundation.
If it weren't for the garden clubs the tourism we do have wouldn't exist and neither would the antebellum history preserved in architecture.
The NDDA consists of downtown merchants and business persons who simply don't want to see their downtown die and work hard to prevent it by promoting business, preservation and events to bring people into the downtown area.
The "hysterical society" is the largest red-herring you use time and time again. As I've said before, the Natchez Historical Society is a harmless, benign group of scholars who simply study Natchez History. They have no governmental or policy power or input and usually choose not to, so leave them out of it by not using that derisive term which falsely accuses them.
The groups you seem most upset about are actually, the City of Natchez Historic and Preservation Commission, which is the governmental commission charged with overseeing development within Natchez to the extent that it enhances and doesn't harm the existing historical context, and the Historic Natchez Foundation, a private, non-profit organization of citizens of Natchez, who care about the issues addressed by the commission and act as active advocates of historic preservation.
Now, red...what specifically, have you got stuck in your craw about these citizens, who love Natchez and are actually doing something other than sniping anonymously? I don't always agree with them, I'm not currently a member of any of them and I have and will protest when I see something I don't agree with, but you never have had anything specific...just gripes!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
supertrucker47: STOP YELLING...it indicates your ignorance of computer communication ettiquette, in other words, IT'S RUDE!
Let me answer your question with a few of my own:
Would you hire a lawnmower repairman to fix your big rig?
Would you hire a chiropractor to fix your brain tumor?
Would you hire a carpenter to design the Superdome?
Would you hire a legal secretary to represent you in court?
Would you hire a hygienist to do your root canal?
The list could go on and on...the answer is, of course you wouldn't and you don't! When it comes to the matter of planning for and improving life within the complexity of a modern city it requires someone who has the formal education, long experience and the judgement to recommend the appropriate courses of action to our elected representatives. He is necessary!...give this guy a break...he has earned and deserves our respect and cooperation...he is here to help!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad: I appreciate your views, they have exactly the right tone. While I don't know about Kevin being a hard task master, I do know that not all of us white-haired older good looking fellas act or think old...LOL
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sammohon, may I ask.... How free is a city planner from the political pulls of a mayor and the aldermen?
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(Sammohon) Go back to the subject article and read the fourth(4th) Paragraph from the bottom of the article. In the statment, it indicates that the subject Lewis was terminated at the beginning of this year! I take that statement refers to the beginning of 2008? Maybe the ND writer Mary Hood has it wrong? From that statement, it indicates to me that he had been hired before and decided not move here permanently, thus he was terminated! That was Round 1, if I am correct?
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
why the hate redusfan? Those comments weren't called for, lets not show hot hateful some people on these boards are. Keep them to yourself
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh Sam, there is a reason why some people remain anonymous, b/c I would be at their house explaining to them why they shouldnt type this garbage on the net, making our city look bad.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just as free as any other department head...they can be manipulated by political pressures, but if they are worth their salt as men they will give their honest opinions to our elected representatives and let them make the decisions for good or ill.
Put it this way, if I am your architect and you make what I consider a poor decision, I am bound by my profession to advise you of it and against it. If it is illegal, unethical, immoral or violates the health, safety or welfare of the public, then I must protest and cease participation in the action. A similar code, I know, applies to the city engineer and most professions licensed by any state and, I suspect, the city planner is subject to a similar code of conduct regardless of political or public pressure.
So far I know, no undue political pressures that have befallen David Gardener to cause him to breach his professional ethics and statute responsibilties...on the contrary, in my experience, he has always been calm, professional, attentive and resolute, the kind of man to listen to input and deliberate carefully prior to rendering an opinion, but in the end it is only an opinion subject to the whims of the political body in control.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rushing - It says the former city planner - i.e. of Natchez, Andrew ?? - the one that was fired - Not Mr. Lewis - He applied for the job 3 years ago but did not get it. He reapplied after the one who got the job irritated everyone and never moved to Natchez. He still lived in Madison MS.
Welcome Mr. Lewis - I hope you enjoy Natchez, the job and decide to stay in Natchez.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent point Mike8427...their intent is to be able to stay anonymous and snipe from the sidelines without anything constructive to say...BTW, who are you...LOL
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Sam.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr...I posted a message that got lost in the ether saying almost exactly what natchez1 just posted...I think it was just poor writing on the part of the reporter.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sammohon, by the way... I remember the plan for the Convention Center being made out of the Bank building with adjacent parking. I thought it was a great idea. I never understood why it wasn't followed until i read your recent post on it. Thats a shame because now we have to live with a monster.
Revised plans called for the Democrat to move to the old A&P place on Franklin? I wonder what became of that?
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad...you're quite welcome, happy to oblige...hope I run into you for that julep if you mistake me for Mr. Lewis...LOL.
BTW, I meant to say at the end of that last message, that Mr. Lewis' experiences will, if he handles the job capably as David has his, be similar in that he will probably feel some polite (political pressure is almost always a dagger with a smile) political and sometimes not-so-polite public pressure , but if he holds to what he knows is right he will be fine and truly appreciated eventually.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Lewis, welcome to Natchez! You'll find that our people are passionate about Natchez and really want to see the city prosper. I hope your employment here will prove to be the beginning of a long and mutually-satisfying relationship that will take our beautiful city to heights it has never seen before. Pump some new life into our city with your comprehensive plan. Please take into consideration that many of us would love to have a family-oriented plan that caters to the needs of the residents who have small children, too.
If you just do the best job you can do and stick with us . . . we will stick with you! Glad you're here and already working on our behalf.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you OldGrandDad, I thought it was a pretty good idea too and very cost beneficial and it was proven by an extensive site and cost analysis, but alas, it ran afoul of the honorable Larry L. "Butch" Brown's ego and we ended up with his result...we got less for more...not quite what Mies Van Der Rohe, the great architect who uttered the line meant when he said "Less is More".
The old A&P building and parking would have been an exhibit hall, I'm not sure what you're referring to about the Democrat moving there.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My understanding is the Democrat is/was to build on that location. Maybe they will fill us in.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ijohnson...very well stated and I echo your welcome to Mr. Lewis.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(Sam) I undestand that the ND will be moving from several sources. I do not know when?
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldGrandDad...that idea may have come prior to or after the 1992 Convention Center proposals, but it wasn't a part of them.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr...I don't know...I'll ask Kevin...Kevin?...LOL...this apparently post-dates the 1992 Convention Center plans OldGrandDad references.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
its been talked about the last year or two.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I apparently hit a nerve with redusmfan...he sent me an email through the Democrat to ask for a meeting for us to discuss our last conversation further over coffee...I told him there wasn't anyway for me to be at his disposal since I don't currently live there on a daily basis, but that there was also not anything we could discuss in private that shouldn't be shared here. Sounded a bit threatening and since he's anonymous and I'm not I declined.
Posted by jethro (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just kidding, B.M. Now get out there and show em what you got.
From one of your biggest fans.
Michelle
Posted by CitizenSane (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The official Comprehensive Plan for the City of Natchez is dated 1999. You can get a copy from the City Planner's Office for $25.
It was shelved by Hank Smith and the Aldermen and later by Philip West and the current alderman who believe that planned growth is the enemy of progress.
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