Two years ago, Natchez Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown wanted Entergy Customer Service Manager Forest Persons arrested when city officials couldn’t find him after a storm knocked out power in the city.

&uot;We’ve come a long way since then,&uot; Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Carolyn Shanks said with a laugh Tuesday at a reception honoring Brown with Entergy’s 2000 Teamwork Mississippi Community Leadership Award.

Brown is one of four recipients of the award across the state.

The Community Leadership Award recognizes outstanding volunteers in economic development, downtown revitalization, leadership programs, education and other areas of community development within the Entergy service territory. The main selection criterion is the impact of the volunteers’ efforts on their community and the state.

&uot;Mayor Brown has always provided the leadership this community needs,&uot; Shanks said.

After some good-natured ribbing, police Chief Willie Huff and local attorney J.W. Seibert praised Brown for his work in the community.

&uot;He realizes the assets of all of his department heads,&uot; said Huff, who noted accomplishments like the Natchez Visitor Reception Center, the farmer’s market and bluff stabilization.

Huff pointed to the storm incident – and its aftermath – as one way the city and Entergy have worked together for the community.

&uot;We set some ground rules so that if we did have something like that again we’d all be on the same page,&uot; he said.

&uot;Ya’ll are very fortunate to have Mayor Butch Brown,&uot; Shanks said. &uot;We as Entergy are truly honored to be a part of this community.

&uot;We are trying to establish Entergy as a company you are proud to have as part of your community.&uot;

Brown has built several businesses, including Riverside Central Services Inc., a public warehousing company specializing in the storage and maintenance of nuclear component parts. He is also a former chairman of the Miss-Lou Bridge Authority and a long-time member of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

During his tenure as mayor — he has served since 1992 — Natchez has been selected one of Mississippi’s Most Livable Communities for three years, and Brown has received the Mississippi Municipal League’s Making Mississippi Move award four times in six years.