NATCHEZ &045;&045; To get and retain jobs, Natchez’s mayor must be willing to cooperate with other city and county officials, schools and economic development to present a united front to prospects.

That’s what alderwoman and mayoral candidate Sue Stedman told fellow Adams County Republicans at their Thursday night meeting and candidates’ forum.

&uot;This campaign will be about jobs,&uot; Stedman said.

&uot;It’s about who has the experience, the education and the contacts with leaders&uot; at the national, state and local levels, she said.

When it comes to attracting industry, she said, &uot;Sometimes we’ve been our own worst enemy in that we haven’t worked together.&uot;

Stedman said that, if elected, she would first meet with aldermen to see what their wards’ greatest needs are and to set goals to address those needs.

She said she would also work with the local tourism staffers to make sure resources are being used efficiently to market Natchez.

In particular, she said, &uot;we need a new approach to market Roth Hill&uot; and the surrounding area to prospective developers, Stedman said.

Speakers at the candidates’ forum also included two Republican candidates for alderman in Ward 3, Cynthia Parker Brumfield and Bob Pollard.

Brumfield said decided to run because she believes her experience in leadership roles will help her bring the community together to find ways to bring more young people back to Natchez.

Pollard said the reason he’s running can be illustrated by one encounter he’s had on the campaign trail &045;&045; with a woman who said her husband, a displaced IP worker, has to spend weekdays working in Jackson. &uot;I want to be part of a team that brings Natchez back,&uot; Pollard said.

Pollard also said he’s in favor of trimming use of city vehicles where possible.