NATCHEZ — There is no incumbent running for reelection in Ward 5, but there are four contenders.

Frances Thompson Bailey

Running as a Democrat, Frances Thompson Bailey said her decision to run was based on a life-long desire to be involved in government.

“I felt this was my opportunity because I had the time to do it and I felt I had the dedication to do it,” Bailey said.

The quality of education in the community would be a priority for Bailey, she said.

“I would also like the school superintendent become an elected position because that would make that position obligated to serve the whole community,” she said.

Recreation is also high on Bailey’s list of things to do if elected.

“I feel the children in our community feel left out because there is nothing to do, especially in the summer months,” she said.

Baseball fields, swimming pools, soccer fields and indoor recreation are a few of the things Bailey said she wants to be available in Natchez.

“I feel that without a good school system, recreation facilities and hospitals we will never be able to bring in good industry,” she said. “When they decide to come to a community, they look at those things.”

Bailey said she is in favor of government consolidation, and that she will be available to everyone if elected.

“If your problems get brought to me they would make it to the board,” she said. “I feel once we open up to the people and get a good understanding of everybody, we will be able to work together.”

Mark Fortenbery

Mark Fortenbery, a Democrat, is in it for the kids.

“I decided to fun for the chance for our young people to be able to come back to town as I did, and that’s not happening today,” Fortenbery said.

To address that, Fortenbery said the board of aldermen needs to support the public school system and have a representative present at meetings so they can be aware of the issues the school district is facing.

The city’s overall infrastructure — including streets, sidewalks and equipment to maintain them — needs to be addressed, Fortenbery said.

That would also mean giving police and fire department employees pay raises and providing them with up to date technical equipment, he said.

Funds to do so will come from the new casinos and businesses opening in the area, he said.

The issue of recreation also needs to be addressed with some action, Fortenbery said.

“That is an issue that has been tossed around for years, but it is time to make it a reality,” he said. “It would benefit this city tremendously.”

Fortenbery is also in favor of government consolidation.

“We are divided by wards, by race and economic status,” he said. “We need not to let those things hinder the process of this city and this county furthering itself.”

Tim Sessions

The decision for Democrat Tim Sessions to run came after he was asked to by a number of people, he said.

“I served on the Woodville Town Council for 16 years, and a lot of people knew I had experience in municipal government,” Sessions said.

The main interest of his campaign is making sure the people of his ward and of the city are heard, Sessions said.

Sessions also supports government consolidation.

“We can at least share in some of the areas where you have a kind-of double act,” Sessions said.

Promising to work with the economic development commission, Sessions said street and sidewalk improvement is incredibly important for the city.

“It’s a strict concern because you have to have those in order to attract people to come and live here,” he said.

Sessions also promised to have an open door policy.

“I don’t mind people calling me or coming by the office or even if I am at home,” he said. “You have to be accessible to your constituents or you’re not going to be good at your job.”

Charles Zuccaro

The sole Republican in the race, Charles Zuccaro said he decided to run for alderman because he could provide a different point of view.

One of the big issues that needs to be addressed is improvement to some of the city’s busiest streets, Zuccaro said.

“We need to work on Homochitto, East Franklin, St. Catherine and Martin Luther King Jr. Streets, the ones that people use the most,” he said.

Zuccaro said the city needs to hire more police and firemen.

“If we don’t have enough firemen, we will lose our fire rating and have higher insurance rates,” he said.

To do that, as well as to build the proposed recreation complex, the city will have to collect more taxes, Zuccaro said.

“I am opposed to any tax increase to the taxpayers,” he said. “To collect more taxes, we’re going to have to bring more businesses into the city.”

If government consolidation means it will save the city money, Zuccaro said he supports it.

“You have to operate within you means,” Zuccaro said. “If you want a businessman approach for business, I’m your man.”

Because he has no Republican challengers, Zuccaro won’t appear on the ballot until the June 3 general election.