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Pilgrimage group gets new manager
Published Monday, July 28, 2008
NATCHEZ — For the past couple of weeks Marsha Colson has been running the show at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.
In mid-July the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours Executive Committee appointed Colson as the group’s interim manager.
Colson is replacing former NPT director Jim Coy, who unexpectedly resigned in late June.
NPT’s executive committee President Devereux Slatter — Colson’s mother — said Colson’s strong overall knowledge of the workings of the NPT made her good candidate to fill the vacancy.
“She’s going to be great,” Slatter said of Colson.
And while only in her new position for less than a month, Colson said she enjoys the work.
“So far it’s been challenging and rewarding,” she said.
Before being named as interim manager Colson worked for NPT part-time filling a variety of roles.
Colson said she will continue her work as the United Way director while serving as NPT’s manager.
And while Colson is still new on the job, her appointment represents one in a series of recent changes in the normally unchanging tour community.
When Coy resigned in June his wife, Ruthie also resigned from her position as President of the Pilgrimage Garden Club.
Then in first weeks of July several houses were added to, and removed from, the list of houses on Fall and Spring Pilgrimage.
But Colson said the addition of new houses for Pilgrimage would ultimately benefit the city.
“It helps fall and spring tours when the lineup is changed,” she said. “It gives people a chance to see houses they might not have seen before.”
As for the Coys, Colson said they will be missed.
“It was a great loss,” she said. “They were both very involved and we’ll miss their presence.”
But just how long Colson will have an opportunity to make her presence known with Natchez Pilgrimage Tours is unknown.
Colson said she does not know how long she will serve as interim manager.
“I’ll be here as long as they need me to be,” she said. “Right now I’m glad I’m able to help.”
And Slatter said the executive committee is not in any hurry to find Colson’s replacement.
“We want to take our time so we can find the best person for the job,” she said.
Comments
Posted by speakup (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ok. now let's see. why did the coy's leave..
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 2:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We were in gatlinburg area this week...You talk about tourist....There were so many people there you would not believe the mississipi tags we saw.....Natchez should see how they promote and try some of there ways!!
They have those mystery dinners there that is neat...So much stuff for kids to do it is unreal...But, if you are going to have family visit your city there has to be stuff for kids to do. Which here it is notta!!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And we are reading this again WHY?
Oh yeah, my bad, because of who her MOMMY is.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire, It has been said hundreds of times on this forum. Natchez does not have a big attraction for families with children. They need a big water park, like Baton Rouge or a theme park, like Alabama to draw younger families.
But I guess that Natchez, A Certified Retirement Community is what the sign says at the edge of town. Seems kinda prophetic.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree sayitloud...why are we hearing this again.....just to push it in the face???So Colson is what now???? Can someone tell us?
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 8:27 a.m.
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Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 8:43 a.m.
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Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Water Park....Come on redusmfan, you should know as well as anyone what would happen to a facility like that here, it would be run by people who are not capable of actual management and then would become dirty, filled with rude employees and loiterers.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think one trick might would be that places like gatlinburg are seasonal. If natchez could Find someone that would invest some kind of kid friendly facility then it would be best to only open it during a busy tour time which is spring. But If you go to Gatlinburg during their off season you will not find much to do either, My husband and I made that mistake. ha ha
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And I know this is not even on subject, But I have often wondered about our mall. I am a huge "shop local" when possible, but when it comes to our mall, I will never understand until someone explains it to me, why with the mass youth we have here we can not get stores better than Sammy's, Source clothing, etc. We have the space and a good start to have Belk, what keeps stores away.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can Colson "run the show" while running the show for other two employers? Maybe it's the employees who run the show. Three jobs during the day well, That would be hard even for the best of us. Is She that good? Well at least her Mother thinks she is, but hey, so does my mom think that about me,,,,go figure
Posted by rayford (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of you who are intent on bashing Marsha Colson,did'nt your "mommies" ever tell you ,"If you don't have something nice to say about someone,don't say anything at all!"
Posted by Qtip (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The mall is getting a new store. Rue 21 will be opening in August or early September. This is the first chain store that has located in the mall in a long time. Hopefully maybe more will come. Outside people look at the demographics and say we are to poor and will not locate here but they do not look at the tourist we have year round in Natchez. There is a lot that retailers look at before they locate a new store in town.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pbnj what month did you go? We had Christmas up there 2 years ago it was heaven.... Now serville is growing leaps and bounds...
I agree redusmfan all Natchez wants is people retiring i guess..Who needs kids in a town?
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow sayitloud you got deleted 2 times...I have got to get on here and read this earlier lol...Do email me with what you said..lol..
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Excuse me, but as for myself am not bashing anyone. Just wondering maybe just to the ND why they are printing another article on Ms. Colson being named interim director, that was as the paper put it her title anyway from a previous article, Just a simple question, again just curious as to how she or anyone for that manner can be a "good" or "great" director of so many places. The United Way seems would be a full time job if done correctly to its' full capacity as well as the manager of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fire39212
We went two Feburary's ago. Don't get me wrong, it was beautiful. we were told that a few things would be closed because it was down time.
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well said whataboutit, Colson's mom helped at NPT. You can bet her cousin or best friend or something helped at the United Way. I guess that's way United Way cut their goal in half, a half time director.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was gonna ask if it was Jan or Feb..lol..
Posted by speakeasy (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those of you who have said, implied, anything uncomplimentary about Ms. Colson should be ashamed of yourselves. That is if you have a conscience while hiding beneath your anonymity. I know Ms. Colson personally and there could not be a more hard working, kindly, dedicated individual than she. Your implications imply, perhaps, circumstances you know nothing of. You write between the lines. Frankly, I think I'll dispense with reading these trashy comments, leaving it for the N. Dem to fish for future tidbits from the cesspool they've created.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, no I am not ashamed of myself are you kidding? I implied nothing, but rather questioned how anyone person can do three jobs and do them well, sir or mam. I do have a conscience and really feel pretty good about myself as Ms. Colson should.
Posted by southerngirl (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh...I think the Natchez Democrat is wrong. Natchez Pilgirmage Tours has had many, many directors, managers, etc. over the last years....."normally unchanging" not.......just everyother year or so.....but surely glad to hear this has become a family affair. This whole article is about how Slatter thinks Colson is just great for the job, well duh....Mother/ daughter team now.....
Posted by John (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As to the theme park in Birmingham, it nearly went under and almost took the city of Bham with it. It wasn't until an outside owner took over that it worked. For the first three years, all the delinquents in the county went there. Regular folks were afraid to go. So be careful what you wish for here!!!
Posted by james (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
( Courthouse public records ) this headline should be taken off the links page !
May be add a place for readers to post complaints !
Posted by escapee (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why did the Coys leave their positions? I haven't been in Natchez in awhile, what was that all about?
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They both made poor decisions in performing their duties as President of the Homeowners and NPT and PGC. They thought they ruled Natchez. They didn't.
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bellesouth, PLEASE.....anyone who has ever worked with the Coys knows that they made ONLY good decisions. The only problem..Jim is not from here. Some trouble makers in the club used this to their advantage. NPT made great progress under Coy....that's the real problem.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are so right oldsaw!
bellsouth the Coy's NEVER thought they ruled Natchez or anything similar to thinking they ruled!
Now Ron and Lani Riches from Monmouth....they think they rule it ALL.
Isn't that right bellesouth???
Posted by escapee (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow.. "The only problem..Jim is not from here."
Natchez really does seem to hold onto that "if your not from here, then you don't belong here" attitude.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
that's the pettycoat mafia for you escapee......
Here's your bag sayit....lol
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, was the Coy's presidents over all three? The homeowners association, Natchz Garden Club and Pilgrimage Garden Club? So does that mean Colson will be President now of all three????
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This Colson will have her hands full...Wonder if united Way feels like they are getting cheated?
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope she does not get all of her jobs confused...goes into work one day to Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, where ever that is, thinks she is at United Way and starts just screwing all the tours up. Busses going everywhere! Money going everywhere. She has to do something with the $2.00...
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So true whataboutit.....How can 1 person have so many full time jobs and be good at any of them? Why would she want to tie up more than 1 full time job anyway? Let someone else have a job....There is NO way possible to do your best at 3 full time jobs....
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whataboutit,
wonder how other people who give to UW feel about their money being used in this way. What a waste.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Really....and i agree with fire, let someone else have a job.
Wonder which one is truly her priorty? Mommy dearest or the poor people in need? Probably neither, probably her real estate job.....she would make more money if she sold one expensive house, then that would be her priorty....money, money, money----greed--greed
Posted by whiterabbit (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Read the articles. These are all part-time jobs.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, Colson proves without a shadow of a doubt that it pays to have an education. (hint, hint)
Ok, here's why the Coys left. They rigged the votes on who was going to be on tour and got busted.
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And Colsen was busted on another posting. Her best friend is Bowser at UW. Bowser helped her get the job at UW and Colsen helps Bowser with employment at NPT.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone asked why the Coys resigned. There's the answer. It is not Colsen's fault.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In my educated world the title "Director" should mean leader full time not a part time position. In my educated world both of these places of business one being Tourism, which to some is considered the thing that keeps Natchez on the maps, and the United Way, well, we should all know that the United Way should be a place of business that is of the utmost importance, should have a full time director, not a "part timer". If they are to acheive any sort of reconigation for their importance to this city they should have a focused person for that postion and only that position. This in no way is a cut to Ms Colson, but rather to the persons who attained her. As far as the real estate???It is so up in the air now, one who has two other "part time" jobs is only keeping a licence to make the big bucks at one selling.
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