The Natchez Board of Aldermen is the Bad News Bears of local government.

But to their credit, their woes are not all their fault. They’re just a team without a solid coaching and training staff. Aldermen need help from their coach, the mayor, to communicate clearly.

At this week’s board of aldermen meeting, at least one alderman expressed disappointment that he didn’t know Mayor Jake Middleton planned on being out of town.

Keeping your team informed is a basic requirement.

Further, aldermen desperately need help from their trainer, the city attorney.

This week — for the second time in as many weeks — aldermen passed a motion to have City Attorney Everett Sanders research whether or not a developer has any legally binding contract with the city regarding the use of the Roth Hill Road property, arguably the City of Natchez’s most valuable property.

For years the city has waited for a would-be casino operator’s plans — and funding — to materialize.

Thus far nothing has surfaced except excuses, delays and more empty promises.

If a great new development idea came forth, the city couldn’t act on it if a casino developer has a legal claim to the land.

But no one in authority seems to know for sure, or at least they aren’t talking.

We’ve asked for copies of any agreements that may exist from City Hall and we get the runaround — just like the aldermen are receiving.

Clearly aldermen need better, more attentive legal counsel. A good lawyer works for his client and can offer sound advice quickly. In this case, the lingering lack of clarity on the possibility of a casino lease is embarrassing.

But it’s not the aldermen who have mud on their faces. It’s the fault of the coach and trainer.

And in this case, the Bad News Bears can find a new trainer.