Ray Clark was quoted in the Natchez Democrat last week as saying he did not care about the history of the city, that he has to think about his kids.

He and apparently many other Natchezians do not realize that Natchez is a viable town today only because of its preserved architecture and history.

He works at Blankenstein’s and should know that much of their business is supported by people who earn money through tourism. All the painters, carpenters, plumbers, brick masons, car mechanics, grocery store clerks, bankers, contractors, city and county employees, teachers, store owners and clerks, etc., have a job in Natchez dependent on tourism dollars.

I operate a bed and breakfast, and money passes from my tourists through my hands to all the people and more listed above. No preservation in Natchez means no tourism and no jobs; this town would dry up quickly.

The kinds of industrial jobs Ray is apparently looking for are being actively courted in every city and town across America and the world. Competition for those jobs is fierce. The kinds of jobs to which he is referring used to be here in Natchez and left — not because of tourism or preservation, but because of national and world economic changes. The only thing that Natchez has better than almost all of America is a treasure trove of historic architecture and preserved history.

Natchez is a weak second in actively and successfully competing for modern industrial jobs; Natchez is at the head of the list in being able to court tourism because of its historic resources. The future of Natchez is in building on its strengths, not its weaknesses. Every person in town should see themselves as ambassadors for Natchez and make each and every tourist feel welcome and special. My B&B guests typically speak very highly of their reception by Natchezians and continually express amazement and appreciation for the preservation and historic resources here. I wish I could record them all and play back their consternation and disbelief when apprised of the efforts by some in Natchez to dilute and destroy these resources.

Neil Varnell

Natchez resident