John &uot;Pulley Bone&uot; Pullen has not served in elected office before, but the Natchez mayoral candidate is no stranger to political issues. Pullen, a Natchez native, organized a Citizens Against Higher Taxes group in Vidalia, La., where he lived briefly after retiring.

&uot;We did nothing but fight taxes,&uot; he said.

Pullen, owner of Pulley Bones restaurant, faces incumbent Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown and F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith in the May 2 Democratic primary. The winner of that race faces independents Robert F. Costa and Phillip &uot;Bucket&uot; West in the June 6 general election.

Pullen said the main issue voters have talked to him about is higher-paying jobs.

Pullen said that if elected he would form a committee of local residents — a real estate agent, a lawyer, an educator, a minister, a wholesale retail merchant, an industrial administrator and the mayor – to recruit companies to Natchez.

Pullen said he also wants to produce a professional video about Natchez and its educational, industrial and transportation opportunities to show to prospective industries.

To pay for the committee’s economic development trips, Pullen said he would try to save money in the city’s budget.

&uot;If you’re going to run a business you have to cut corners,&uot; Pullen said. &uot;There ain’t a business in the world you can’t trim some fat out of.&uot;

Pullen also said he believes the city should sell the Natchez Visitor Reception Center, which was built two years ago with grants and now houses the city’s tourism department and the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau. The National Park Service and Mississippi Welcome Center rent space in the building. Pullen said he would turn the visitors center over to the privately-owned Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.

Pullen, who calls the visitors center &uot;the world’s largest public restroom,&uot; said he does not believe the city should spend money on projects such as that and a convention center when residents are talking about needing jobs.

&uot;Why didn’t we get a $9 million grant to bring an industry here?&uot; Pullen said. &uot;We need to get jobs for our people before we start building things like that.&uot;

As for recreation, Pullen said he believes private industry can provide more facilities, such as skating rinks and water parks.

&uot;I’ve already got some companies, some amusement companies, interested in Natchez,&uot; Pullen said.

Pullen said his wife, Betty, is particularly interested in recreation for youth.

&uot;If you elect me mayor you’re going to get two people,&uot; Pullen said. &uot;That’s (my wife’s) big thing, the youth.&uot;

&uot;Every child has potential,&uot; Betty Pullen said. &uot;I would like to be a volunteer for youth, and I would ask other people to volunteer with me.&uot;

John Pullen is also opposed to the city’s annexing county land.

&uot;People have a right to live where they want to live,&uot; Pullen said.

In the future, Pullen said he would like to see about four or five industries located in Natchez. He would also like to see water and sewage bills lowered. &uot;It’s ridiculous to charge the same price for water as for sewage,&uot; Pullen said.

Pullen said he would also lower taxes and fees on businesses.

Pullen, who loves to cook and was a mess sergeant in the National Guard, also spent three years as chairman of the Salvation Army Board. He calls it &uot;the best three years of my life.&uot;

&uot;I love everything about Natchez. I wouldn’t live nowhere else,&uot;&160;Pullen said. &uot;It just needs to grow.&uot;