Phillip West &045;&045; former state representative, county supervisor and civil rights activist &045;&045; was sworn in Thursday as Natchez’s first black mayor since Reconstruction before a crowd of no fewer than 650 people.

The day West said he thought he’s never see came after a hard-fought campaign that started with seven candidates and ended with West winning by 100 votes.

It happened in a community that has seen racial division &045;&045; where black residents now just slightly outnumber whites &045;&045; and, especially with recent plant closings, economic hard times.

But both speakers and rank-and-file supporters &045;&045; and West himself &045;&045; expressed hope he will be able to lead Natchez to reconciliation and economic prosperity. Those speakers included U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and host of state and local officials and friends.

&uot;We have a golden opportunity to be a shining star for the rest of the state and indeed, the nation, and I believe we’re going to do it,&uot; West called from the podium, pointing overhead.

&uot;We’ve been given the task to help build a bridge that would never be torn down,&uot; West said in the ceremony at the Natchez Convention Center. He later added that &uot;if all the people in this room agree to help us do this, it will be done.&uot;

West acknowledged the narrow margin by which he won, as well as the fact that Natchez’s political factions are alive and well.

But West said that for him and the community to succeed, such differences must be put aside to formulate a plan for prosperity.

&uot;We are Democrats or Republicans, … but once the election’s over, we all become Natchezians, Mississippians, Americans,&uot; he said.

Pickering said West has qualities that will make him successful as mayor, such as the courage to stand by his convictions.

He alluded to the fact that, as chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, West stood against fellow black legislators in supporting Pickering’s father, Judge Charles Pickering, as U.S. Court of Appeals judge and proclaiming the judge was not a racist.

Going against one’s peers isn’t easy, Chip Pickering said.

&uot;’Blessed are the peacemakers, for they have all been shot,&uot; he joked. &uot;But that is the place where God calls. It takes courage and character … (but West) is willing to stand up for what is right.

&uot;Now is the day to come together and claim the promise&uot; of economic prosperity and quality of life, Pickering said, adding that &uot;Natchez is today poised for a new era of leadership.&uot;

Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, who made an unannounced trip to the ceremony, said that while West’s election was historic, &uot;you’ve elected a well-respected leader&uot; regardless of his race. West, Musgrove said, is a leader who is &uot;concerned with people who can’t help themselves.&uot;

&uot;The people of Natchez are full of hopes and dreams, and hopes and dreams become fulfilled promises when people work together to make it happen,&uot; Musgrove said.

Former mayors Tony Byrne and Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown &045;&045; the latter, now executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation &045;&045; both imparted hopes and advice to West in their remarks.

West has an opportunity to make even more history in a historic town by helping &uot;build us something new and better&uot; in Natchez, Brown said.

Yet Brown &045;&045; who was recently voted out of, then voted back to, his MDOT position by commissioners &045;&045; advised West to work with the city’s legislative body, the Board of Aldermen.

&uot;Because if you make them angry, you might find yourself looking for work,&uot; Brown quipped.

Byrne acknowledged a past in which he, as mayor from 1968 to 1988, and West found themselves playing major roles in Natchez’s civil rights past.

In those days &045;&045; West’s &uot;cutting up&uot; days, Byrne joked &045;&045; &uot;I’m sure we felt like killing each other at times, Byrne said. &uot;But I’m here to say that’s all in the past. … If all of you love Natchez like I do, offer to help this administration.&uot;

To West, he said, &uot;you have a golden opportunity to do what many of us (as mayors) could not do &045;&045; unite this community.&uot;

On a personal note, he cautioned West that as mayor, getting time to oneself is hardly possible. When West is gearing up for a birdie on the 18th hole of the golf course, he said, is when &uot;someone will come up to you and say ‘Mayor, I’ve been wanting to talk to you all day.’&uot;

With that, Byrne gave West a firm handshake &045;&045; and the Natchez lapel pin Byrne always wears.

Following the ceremony, supporters crowded into a nearby room for a reception, then traveling just down Canal Street for a gala at the Isle of Capri Hotel.

Those who filled the 500 seats and lined the walls of one of the convention center’s largest rooms seemed to be a cross-section of Natchez-Adams County &045;&045; city and county officials, almost to the person, as well as working people of both races.

&uot;I support West because I believe he’s interested in seeing economic growth, and I want to make sure I do my part,&uot; said business owner Bruce Brice. &uot;And it’s certainly historic.&uot;

&uot;I think (West) is going to move this city forward, with the help of the citizens of Natchez,&uot; resident J.D. Murray, a lifelong friend of West’s, said.

Other highlights of the ceremony included:

4West’s swearing-in by Circuit Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders, following comments by Justice Court Judge Mary Lee Toles.

Several members of West’s family &045;&045; and media photographers &045;&045; crowded around. Afterwards, West was met with a standing ovation.

4Remarks by West’s oldest son, Kareem &uot;Kip&uot; West, who praised West as father, leaving West visibly moved.

4Special presentations by the state’s Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus, Legislative Black Caucus and Conference of Black Mayors.

4Performances of the National Anthem and the gospel standard &uot;Order My Steps&uot; by the Combined Choirs of Natchez.

4Remarks by Barney Schoby, Workmen’s Compensation commissioner; state Rep. David Green; and West classmate and friend Clifton Elery.