Outgoing city officials thanked the community for their support and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve at the Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday night.

The meeting was the last for Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown, Ward 2 Alderman George Harden and City Clerk Frances Trosclair.

All three were presented with framed city flags in appreciation of their service to the city.

&uot;It’s been an exciting eight years,&uot; Trosclair said. She praised the mayor and board for their &uot;teamwork effort&uot; and noted the &uot;professionalism&uot; of the department heads.

&uot;I&160;wish you continued success,&uot; Trosclair told the remaining aldermen and city officials.

Harden, who has served on the board since 1985, said the city has been good to him. &uot;We were taught that you had a responsibility to make things better for the next generation,&uot; Harden said of his term in office.

City Attorney Walter Brown praised the mayor for his efforts for the city. &uot;You’ve changed the face of the city of Natchez over the last eight years,&uot; he said.

Pointing to the Natchez lapel pin Mayor Brown made famous, he said, &uot;I wear this pin everywhere around the city with pride.&uot;

Mayor Brown advised Mayor-Elect F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith, who was present at the meeting, to continue to work for pay raises for law enforcement officials. &uot;The challenge is to complete the projects that are going now and identify and vision those that are coming in the future,&uot; Brown said.

Brown, Harden and Trosclair’s duties officially end Friday. The inaugural ceremony for newly-elected officials will be June 30 at 10 a.m.

In other business, the board:

4 Presented P.R.O.U.D. awards to Shannon Burt and Bobby Ewing and family.

Burt was recently named Master Teacher of the Year by ETV of New York. She is a ninth grade teacher at Natchez High School.

The Ewing family was recognized for their involvement with the Miss-Lou Annual Easter Egg Hunt, held each year at Duncan Park.

Named Jerry Rouse, city electrical employee, as Employee of the Month for June.

Accepted the thanks of Burnett Bridgewater, Minorville Jubilee organizer, in appreciation of their support of the event. Harden and Brown were presented with plaques.

Heard the opinion of Hal Davis, 304 Martin Luther King St., concerning a pool hall located at 308 Martin Luther King St.

Heard Municipal Judge John M. Tipton’s collection report of $69, 532. Tipton was recently elected vice-president of the Mississippi Judges Association.

Heard Tourism&160;Management Director Walter Tipton’s report, reminding the board of this weekend’s Bicycle Classic, the Isle of Capri grand opening ceremony and sales tax revenue figures.

Approved the publication of a notice of completion for the Natchez Business Center.

Granted permission to advertise for construction of a Corps of Engineers disposal site in connection with the convention center.

Approved a request by James Johnston, community development coordinator, for a non-cash change order in the amount $2,025.00 for the Natchez Senior Center. Johnston also asked for a 10-day extension of the senior center renovation project, and told the board he will submit a grant application for Government Fleet Road on Monday.

Heard Ward 3 Alderman Sue Stedman’s report that the city auditorium renovations are underway.

Heard Ward 6 Alderman Jake Middleton’s recreation department report that the North Natchez Summer Day Camp was busy with activities, and a few of the day campers give an arts and crafts presentation at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for July 11.

Heard Downtown Development Executive Director Tammi Mullins’ request for volunteers for course marshals for this weekend’s bicycle race. Mullins also presented Brown with a t-shirt from her agency in appreciation of his support.