City thanks Byrne service at senior center

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 26, 2000

Natchez officials took time to thank former former Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center Director Barbara Byrne, whose last day with the city will be Friday.

At Tuesday’s aldermen meeting, new senior center Director Sabrena Bartley thanked Byrne for staying on since January to help ease the transition. Byrne has worked with the city for 25 years, beginning with the RSVP&160;program and then eight years as senior center director.

In other business the board of aldermen:

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Approved a plan to make 86 two-hour parking spaces all-day spaces.

Approved a $14,720 bid for a greens mower for the Duncan Park Golf Course from Delta States Turf Co. of Baton Rouge, La.

Agreed to allow the city’s tourism office to buy a van the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau had been leasing. The negotiated purchase price is $12,500.

Heard from City Engineer David Gardner that the city has a request pending with NRCS for drainage work on Grant Street.

Heard from Alderman David Massey that he hears complaints from residents often about noise ordinance violations. He asked Natchez&160;Police Chief Willie Huff to encourage officers to enforce the ordinance. Huff said the city issued 54 citations in March and April; those cost violators $189 each.

Approved the T.M. Jennings League’s use of the old Natchez Water Works land for its summer baseball and softball games at the request of Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West.

Authorized emergency funding to pay for repairs after a cave-in on Maple Street.

Gave Bartley approval to apply for Rural Public Transportation grant money from the state Department of Transportation.

Heard from Tourism Director Walter Tipton that the city is entering a Natchez Trace Parkway Compact with several other cities to increase tourism along the parkway.

The compact will receive a $136,000 grant from the state’s tourism department to market the parkway, Tipton said.

Heard from Tipton that the city will host Bryant Gumbel and the CBS Morning Show May 3. The show will broadcast from Natchez.

Heard from Community Development Coordinator James Johnston that the city should receive word this week on whether it will receive a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant for a Sprayground at North Natchez Park.

Recognized Natchez High School senior Jim Sesser, a National Merit Semi-finalist, and the Natchez High male quartet and TTBS choirs, choral festival award winners, as the PROUD&160;program. The choirs also performed for the board and its visitors.