NATCHEZ &045; The city’s two public works directors are sending out a unified message &045; they’re proud of the new attitude and hard work their 16 employees have been doing.

Director of Operations Ronnie Ivey said workers have been proactive about taking on other tasks they see need doing, such as clearing overgrown brush from around the public work office itself.

That’s in addition to their usual duties, such as grass cutting and catching up with a backlog of work orders.

That, Director of Administration Eric Smith said, was one of his and Ivey’s top priorities when they started their jobs in recent weeks &045; &uot;for (workers) to be proactive without having to call us every time.&uot;

Smith added another goal is simply to make employees feel important and appreciated for the jobs they do.

That Ivey and Smith finish each other’s thoughts should perhaps not be a surprise. After all, they committed from the first day they worked together to work as a team.

Ivey and Smith go to look at potential projects together, deciding together what needs to be done, what priority is should be given and what resources, including manpower and equipment, are needed for the job.

Both men said they bring experience in working well with personnel to their current jobs.

Ivey served as assistant public works director for the City of Madison before retiring in Natchez.

Smith, who current job puts him over budget and personnel, previously handled budgeting and administration for K&S Wiring, a Nissan supplier in Jackson.

&uot;It taught me how to deal with all types of people,&uot; Smith said.

In a Wednesday interview, Ivey and Smith spelled out management philosophies that were much the same &045; having open door policies, exhibiting leadership and freeing workers to do the jobs they see need doing. But both said it’s the workers themselves they’d like to see get the recognition. &uot;They’re the reason the city is coming around the way it is,&uot; Ivey said.