Comments by observer
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Posted on October 25 at 9:27 a.m.
Pbnj, my comment was meant to be more of a question: Would this change make all areas zoned for business, even in the historic district, available to become RV "resorts", or... would this be an "exception" that only applies to this one particular project? Perhaps someone will explain how this works.
My point is this: Experience has shown that one "exception" is generally used to justify the next. It's certainly not the beauty (or lack of it) of the new hotels that concerns me. It's the beauty of our bluffs and the view from Broadway to the west - and the uniqueness of our downtown and our neighborhoods. How would these be threatened?
It's interesting to me to see that this uniqueness managed to survive the Great Depression. This was partly because no one had any money to make "improvements" back then. Maybe we'll survive this depression too.
Surely we don't want the main entrance to our very special small city looking like every other town's strip mall. We should want visitors entering Natchez to exclaim, "Hey, this town looks different!" - not "Oh, this must be a town because there's a McDonald's and a Cash Cow."
Posted on October 25 at 12:45 a.m.
I'm concerned and confused about the ramifications of changing the zoning to allow this in the business district. Does this mean that any property zoned for business could have an RV Park (high or low class) next door? Could one be, say, on the bluff? Right across from the Country Inn & Suites? Perhaps a small one on Main St. when old 1st Baptist finally collapses? Talk about causing an uproar, try those on for size. We need to be careful - - very, very careful.
Posted on October 1 at 7:43 p.m.
Among the many things that have been mentioned in the comments above, what stands out to me is David Blackburn's unswerving belief in his Risen Lord. This faith, and his joy in it, he imparted to others wherever and whenever he could. He brought new life and encouragement to the dwindling membership of his small church by leading the congregational singing with such enthusiasm and joy that those who may have been nodding off awoke and found themselves singing the Lord's praises! What a gift God had given him. And that gift David freely shared with all of us who were privileged to know and love him.
Posted on August 16 at 3:24 p.m.
Looks like the Lane Company has come to its senses!
Posted on August 11 at 7:18 a.m.
Defiant as ever. Why can't some people just follow the rules. They are no different from the rest of us who want what's best for Natchez. Plant the grass, Gammils
Posted on July 15 at 8:59 a.m.
For heaven's sake, don't tax hospitals! While I've never before found myself in agreement with redusmfan I must say taxing both tobacco and alcohol is the best idea yet - - We'd be the richest state in the union! Of course it might start a rebirth of the moonshine industry that was once so prevalent in these parts, but the governor can just bring on the revenuers!
Posted on July 13 at 8:47 a.m.
I meant "smart" as in intelligent. The zoning was changed to accomodate Fat Mama's. There are other neighbors who objected to the point of filing a law suit. (And some people seem to know an awful lot about petulance)
Posted on July 12 at 10:45 a.m.
Well, when all of these folks go to Fat Mama's to celebrate and get "Knocked Naked" I guess the neighbors will just have to close their shutters, lock up the kids, turn up their radios and dream of the days when a "weed covered lot" and a busy street protected them from the intrusion of such commercial ventures.
And yes, EnKiKur, there are indeed rules, and zoning is the name of the game. Smart growth and planning are essential for survival as a place people want to live and work in. Had Natchez wanted the kind of growth some of you advocate we could have had a town of strip malls long ago. Then we would have descended into oblivion like most little Mississippi communities, especially those not on a major highway.
As long as we have the river, the bluffs, the view, and a good planning commission who won't cave in, we should be safe. These things are worth saving. Preservation is not just about old houses. It is about a liveable community for everyone.
Posted on July 12 at 3:49 a.m.
What on earth made the family that owns and runs Fat Mama's think that just because they are "Old Natchez" and "nice guys" and know the "right people" they have any more right to break and ignore the laws than the rest of us? It was arrogance, pure and simple, that has caused them all this trouble. The Planning Commission is in place to protect ALL of the people, not to cater to a select few.
Suppose, for example, you bought a house in a subdivision neighborhood with covenants in place. Would you not be upset if a McDonalds was built on the vacant lot between you and your next door neighbor? Would you not expect the covenants to be enforced?
From the remarks some of you have made you would just say "Oh, that's progress and McDonalds has a right to change or ignore the zoning rules and the covenants because they're bringing great business to town. The day and night in and out traffic, odors, signs, trash, drive through and speakers won't bother me at all!".
Yeah, right. You and your neighbors would be breaking down the doors of City Hall to get justice.
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Posted on October 29 at 11:34 p.m.
Just a correction for the record. I understand that the Natchez Children's Home no longer benefits from anything connected with the Balloon Festival. I heard that the balloon race committee took over the children's festival from them when they found out how much could be made from it. Guess that's what you get when you're successful. When this happened last year the Children's Home was invited by Vidalia to operate a carnival over there during the GMRBR. The newspaper and the balloon race folks and the bloggers jumped all over them for "competing" with the festival! Funny nobody seems to care this year.
Both Kyle's House, (which is part of the Sunshine Shelter) and the Children's Home are wonderful organizations which deserve everyone's support. It's too bad the towns of Natchez and Vidalia can't get a cooperative thing going and run the Festival - on both sides of the river- in a more professional manner. Then everyone would benefit and our two old towns with friends on both sides could work together instead of bickering. There's plenty to go around, and life is too short.
On Vidalia gives $2,000 check to Kyle's House