Pollard is right for Ward 3

Kirk Bartley

Published Friday, May 30, 2008

Although I live in Ward 4, I want to offer some comments on the candidates in Ward 3.

I know that Mr. Bob Pollard is the best and most qualified candidate to represent Ward 3. All aldermen vote on all issues involving the Natchez city government. I know it is in my best interest to see that the best and most qualified people get elected to the city aldermen position.

Mr. Pollard has an outstanding record over the past four years he has served as alderman for Ward 3. He devotes his full-time effort to his alderman position as evidenced by the fact that he has never missed a board meeting since 2004, when he was first elected to that position. I have personal knowledge to the fact that he does have an excellent knowledge of and working relationship with all the city department heads.

His commitment to this position is evidenced by the fact that he attends all monthly meetings of the mayor and board of aldermen workshops, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchez Visitor Reception Center Occupancy Council, the Economic Development Authority, the city Beautification Committee, Community Alliance, the Chamber After Hours and the Recreation Advisory Council.

Mr. Pollard will listen to and address any city issue whether in his ward or not. He promptly returns all calls to him on any city business.

His opponent in the upcoming election, Ms. Gwen Ball says she is for open city government. By this I can assume this means she thinks this does not now exist. Yes, there are times when the mayor and board of aldermen do go into closed executive sessions. When this happens, there are only three subjects that can be discussed in these meetings. These topics are, contract negotiations, litigation and personnel issues.

When these closed meetings occur, the city attorney is always present, to see that these are the only issues discussed. All other meetings are open to the public. This would attest to the fact that we do have an open city government, and private citizens are allowed to attend and participate.

One of my main concerns with Ms. Ball is the fact that she and others filed a suit against the City of Natchez over the destruction of the old pecan factory and the rezoning of the same. This suit directly stopped economic development of the proposed condos to be built on this location. This was approximately a $19 million project she is a party to in stopping. The City of Natchez won this suit in court. However, Ms. Ball and others filed a reahearing on this issue and delayed this economic development further.

The total cost to the city is not yet known, but the meter is still running on these expenses, becaues it is still in litigation.

The bottom line for me is, I have very strong feelings against a candidate who has already cost the city, and the money meter is still running. This is in addition to the economic development she has halted on the $19 million condo project.

As a taxpayer, I find Ms. Ball being elected to the position of alderman for Ward 3 to be totally unacceptable.

This city needs people in city government who will move this city forward, not hinder progress on projects that could benefit the city and increase the tax base.

So please vote for Mr. Pollard for Ward 3 on Tuesday.

Kirk Bartley

Natchez resident