NATCHEZ — The two mayoral candidates went head to head on the radio Thursday night, answering questions submitted by the newly elected aldermen and the candidates from Wards 1 and 3.

Democratic candidate Jake Middleton and Independent candidate Chick Graning agreed that consolidation of county and city police and fire departments was definitely something to take under consideration.

Graning said the approach that needs to be taken is to study other communities similar to Natchez who have consolidated.

“We need to study it and see if it’s what we want to do,” he said.

Middleton said he wants to partner with the MBA program at Alcorn State University in Natchez and have them conduct a study.

“We have the personnel here through Alcorn,” he said.

When it comes to public schools, Graning has made that one of the highlights of his platform.

“I believe our public school system is our No. 1 hindrance in attracting new businesses,” he said.

He said the schools need to be improved in order to bring in more economic development.

Middleton said improvements in the schools starts at home.

“Parents have to be more involved with their children,” Middleton said.

Candidates were asked if they thought reopening the Duncan Park pool was a possiblity.

Graning said it’s a good idea, he said people pay to play golf at Duncan Park and he believes they would pay to swim, as well.

Middleton said it would take some consideration to reopen that pool, as the board decided to close it a few years ago because it was leaking so badly that thousands of gallons of water were being lost daily.

Now that the $1.3 million has been appropriated to overlay the four major arteries in town, the candidates were asked what they would do to acquire funds to overlay neighborhood streets.

Graning said the city budget needs to be in line and strengthened in order to have funds to match state and federal grants for neighborhood street overlaying.

Middleton said he believes that any additional income that may come into the city in the form of the new casinos, those funds could be used to set up a street department within the public works department to handle neighborhood streets.

With the $2 hotel tax coming to vote on the general election ballot, the candidates were asked if it was to pass, what they would do to ensure it was being spent appropriately.

Graning said because any monies spent on marketing would have to come before the board and the mayor he would make sure it would be spent wisely.

Middleton said the way the legislation is written prevents it from being spent the wrong way.