Historic Natchez on the Mississippi — What a hoot!

Our city fathers have just shown what they think of our motto. Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans must be shaking their heads over the downfall of Natchez — a historic city with no planning department.

Where is the foresight of our city fathers? While I have the utmost respect for Mr. Dawes and Mr. Gardner, neither is a certified city planner. Neither has the knowledge of historic background to preserve our town in the proper manner.

Since tourism is our most lucrative industry, our leaders should be working toward its success. Priorities are definitely not in order. Surely, budget cuts could have come from other sources.

I recently observed, on two separate occasions and locations, five city employees around a hole in the street. Four were looking on while one dug in the hole. The value of a city planner should outweigh this situation.

A city planner in the future? Who would come to Natchez when this administration has shown such blatant disregard for the planning and preservation ordinance.

It angers and disheartens me to realize our city is being governed by people who do not cherish its wonderful uniqueness. Before preservation ordinances, we lost many treasures — the beautiful homes on Main Street where vacant Goodyear and Sherwin-Williams now stand, Cathedral Elementary on Main Street, St. Joseph on State and Commerce Streets and Devereux and St. Mary Orphanages to name a few.

Natchezians, let us rally together to preserve and protect Historic Natchez on the Mississippi!

Anne B. Allmand

Preservation commission membe