NATCHEZ &045;&045; James &uot;Rickey&uot; Gray has identified a quality that sets him apart from the rest of the field of candidates running for the District 94 state House of Representatives seat.

He’ll be serving in two offices at once. &uot;And that’s what gives me an advantage,&uot; Gray said. &uot;We in southwest Mississippi need an edge, and that’s our edge.&uot;

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, a legislator can hold another seat of government as long as that seat is in the legislative branch of government &045;&045; in this case, on the Natchez Board of Aldermen.

Gray, who was re-elected earlier this year to his second term as Ward 2 alderman, said serving in both seats at the same time will give him &045;&045; and District 94’s residents &045;&045; an advantage.

Having already served in government at the local level for four years, &uot;I know what the concerns of the people are,&uot; Gray said.

In addition, Gray said that would give him the chance to connect with other local government officials on a regular basis and take their issues and concerns up to Jackson for action.

In turn, since he would see them on a regular basis, he could better inform them of issues being addressed at the Capitol that could affect Natchez and Adams County.

And there are plenty of issues Gray would like to address in the Legislature.

One is the issue of jobs. While new industries should be courted, Gray said he believes he and other officials should concentrate on keeping the jobs the area already has.

Such major industries range from health care to the public schools and higher education. &uot;We need to take care of what we already have,&uot; Gray said.

Gray said he would support legislation creating smaller classrooms and would work to get parents of public, private and parochial students to the table to discuss what could be done to make Natchez’s schools even better for the children.

&uot;United we stand, divided we fall,&uot; Gray said.

On tort reform, Gray said he can see both sides of the issue, but added that &uot;when somebody has lost a limb, … I can’t see sitting here and putting a dollar value on something like that.&uot;