Natchez needs a shot in the arm.

Just maybe Rentech, Inc. will be the beginning of new things to happen in Natchez. After Armstrong, Johns Manville and International Paper Company located here, the old regimes and old money thought that was enough and tourism would do the rest. As times change you must change or you die.

In 1986 when the oil and gas business hit rock bottom, the savior of Natchez was going to be gambling. All gambling does is take money out of the community. The ones who gamble the most are the ones that can least afford to gamble. Yes, the oil and gas business is coming back but it will never be what it was during the 60s, 70s and the early 80s in the Natchez area.

Maybe I should run for mayor, but I live in the county. We could go to a one-tier city/county government. Now that would work. The two-tier government that is in place would be wondering who will have to give up power.

It would save the city/county hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe even millions. Then just maybe they could save the county hospital that has been mismanaged for years (some more of the old politics/old regime syndrome). Maybe they could even lower taxes for the residents of Adams County. Adams County is one of the highest taxed counties in the state of Mississippi.

Next, to get white-collar jobs in the Natchez area, everyone must pull together. The bickering between different groups must stop. The public school system must be accountable, it must be up graded to the highest levels, the teachers, principals and administrators must be made accountable.

Parents need to teach and make their children respect their teachers who are trying to teach them and to better their skills for life. The teachers, principals and administrators need to be given authority to discipline students who are out of control.

These are just a few of my thoughts for the Natchez/Adams County Area.

Jerry P. Ogden

Adams County resident