Natchez candidates expressed a lot of the same ideas at an NAACP forum Wednesday night — but they also disagreed about issues such as annexation and taxes.

Candidates had the chance to introduce themselves, then candidates for each office answered a round of questions from the audience at the Voters League building.

Mayoral candidates were asked their views on annexing county land. Mayor Larry L. “Butch” Brown said he would support it. Independent candidate Robert&160;F. Costa said he would have to study the issue, but would support it if both city and county residents wanted it.

Brown said city leaders have only discussed annexing business corridors leading into Natchez in order to get a portion of the sales taxes those businesses collect.

Brown said all county sales taxes are paid to the state, while a portion of the sales taxes paid in the city come back to the city.

John “Pulley Bone” Pullen said he is against annexation. “I don’t think the government has a right to tell people where they have to live,” he said.

F.L. “Hank” Smith echoed that opinion. “I don’t believe you should force anyone into doing something they don’t want to do,” he said.

During the forum, moderator Darryl Grennell occasionally reminded candidates not to take personal attacks on each other.

In part in answer to a question about helping minority businesses, both Smith and Pullen ? both downtown business owners — said they wanted the city to reduce or eliminate taxes and fees on businesses. Pullen said reducing fees would help attract more businesses.

Brown said the city has not raised taxes and told audience members that, as consumers, they pay sales taxes and business owners collect them.

Candidates also discussed their qualifications, the city’s need for more industry and higher-paying jobs and better recreation opportunities.

In answer to a question about appointed school board members, all of the aldermen candidates said they are opposed to board members serving for life. Many said they supported a plan to make school board members come from each county supervisor district, whether elected or appointed.

City clerk candidates answered a question about making that office reflect the entire community.

Donnie Holloway said he would make the office “representative of the whole community.”

JoeAnne Hicks said she believes the office has always “served all of the people in the community.”

Fredericka Cain Todd said she would make sure the office follows a federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plan to make the office representative.

Billy Geoghegan said he would also work to make the office representative of the community.