NATCHEZ &045; The majority of Natchez’s city officials were sworn in Tuesday at the city council chambers, including newly elected Municipal Judge Jim Blough and Ward 3 Alderman Bob Pollard.

&uot;What an honor,&uot; Pollard told those who crowded into the council chambers to view the ceremony. &uot;I appreciate Š the opportunity to be part of a team that’s going to move Natchez forward.&uot;

Blough, who has served 27 years as municipal judge pro tem, said he has already met with court personnel in an effort to make the transition from veteran Judge John Tipton’s administration to his a smooth one.

&uot;I’d like to thank the voters for this opportunity,&uot; Blough said.

Others sworn in Tuesday included City Clerk Donnie Holloway and aldermen Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, Ward 1; Ricky Gray, Ward 2; Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West, Ward 4; David Massey, Ward 5; and Jake Middleton, Ward 6.

During the ceremony, officials expressed their desire to work together bring prosperity back to Natchez &045; and their belief that good things are on the horizon for the area’s economy.

Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West called on Natchez’s citizens to support the administration of incoming Mayor Phillip West, who will be sworn in July 1.

&uot;There are more positive than negative things&uot; going on in Natchez, Bubber West said. &uot;Jobs are being lost all over the country except where people are working together Š and we can do that.&uot;

&uot;Good things are coming&uot; for Natchez, Middleton said. &uot;Bear with us &045; it’s going to happen.&uot;

Several city officials said expressed their thanks to Smith for his service to the city during his four years as mayor.

Smith, who would go on to preside over his last Board of Aldermen Tuesday night, was defeated for the Democratic nomination for mayor this year by Phillip West.

In his remarks Massey &045; who, as mayor pro tem, presided over Tuesday’s ceremony &045; said the Board of Aldermen has, in the last eight years, only had three votes split along racial lines and that members have worked well together to iron out their differences and do what’s best for Natchez.

The board has worked &uot;for consensus to do the right thing&uot; for the city, Massey said.