Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of Sunday features detailing the positions of the three candidates for Natchez mayor on some of the major issues of this year’s election.

Economic matters

Ward 4 Natchez Alderman Tony Fields, running as a Democrat, said he approves of the job the current city leaders have done supporting the Natchez economy, but said more work remains to do.

“Our city has made tough decisions over the last few years to ensure that the pendulum of positive growth, development and redevelopment would swing upward and in our favor,” Fields said. “Natchez has positioned itself to be more marketable by capitalizing on existing community assets and by recognizing the need to make and embrace changes which enable us to be recognized as a competitive community for long term economic development.”

Former Adams County Board of Supervisors President Darryl Grennell, who is running as a Democrat, said he sees room for improvement in the Natchez economy.

“The state of the city’s economy is not great, but it is not terrible either,” Grennell said, citing lowered sales tax numbers and the local effects of the drop in oil prices.

“We have some bright spots, like the Adams County Port, which is now net revenue positive, whereas at one time the Board of Supervisors was having to support the port,” he said. “But there is a great deal of room for improvement in many areas.”

The city’s former Information Technology Director, Eric Junkin, who is running as an independent candidate, said the local economy is in serious trouble.

“I do not talk to any business people that are thrilled at the current business environment in Natchez,” Junkin said. “I hear consistently that business is down, especially in the downtown area.”

Junkin said the best way to support the economy is the fair treatment of local business owners.

“Every business, just like everyday citizens, expect to be treated according to the rules of law — predictably, fairly and justly,” he said.

Each candidate has his own idea of what should take the first priority in his administration.

Fields said employment was at the top of his to-do list.

“My primary economic priority is to create an environment that provides equal opportunity for citizens to obtain high income jobs in various fields of employment,” Fields said. “The community needs jobs that pay wages that allow our citizens to enjoy employment opportunities and provide for an enhanced quality of life.”

Grennell said he would make cleaning up the city’s finances his first priority.

“As president of the Board of Supervisors, I always had clean audits,” Grennell said. “As mayor, I will put this era of financial chaos behind us for good.”

He said one example of the way this should be accomplished is to budget all local matches for grants and city projects at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Junkin said the first priority of his administration would be to, “Run our city as a very efficient business, provide the best available city services for the best price, listen to the needs of the citizens, evaluate the impact on the community and then perform tasks that are within the authority of the administrative office of the mayor.”

He would prioritize keeping the Natchez Board of Aldermen informed on the needs of the community and requesting spending appropriations as needed, Junkin said.

Economic development

Natchez, Inc. is a public-private partnership that includes funding from the city and county governments, tasked with the economic development of Natchez and Adams County.

Fields said he is just fine with Natchez Inc. placing a focus on recruitment of large businesses.

“I do believe that Natchez Inc., its partners and city government must also direct (their) focus on recruiting in the retail and other business sectors,” Fields said. “It is every community’s dream to secure a large industry that will have an almost immediate impact on the local economy.”

Fields also said he would like to see Natchez Inc. stay active and responsive to the needs of the community.

“This will require a holistic approach, inclusive of all who desire to make Natchez great,” Fields said.

Grennell said he is a staunch supporter of Natchez Inc. because it represents all the economic interest groups in Natchez.

“There is a misconception that Natchez Inc. focuses only on recruiting large industrial prospects,” Grennell. “In reality, Natchez, Inc. works extensively with Dr. Ruth Nichols and others on assessing the current state of our employment pool as well as the needs of our current small businesses. That said, you never want your primary development agency to stop focusing on large industrial prospects, because that’s where the biggest gains can be made for the most citizens.”

Junkin said he has always supported the city’s decision to enter into the partnership, and is pleased with Natchez Inc.’s results.

“Personally, I believe the Natchez Inc. board is an excellent group of people to take advice from on business matters concerning the city and Adams County,” Junkin said. “I am confident that Natchez Inc. will be happy to share (its) success stories with everyone.”

Tourism

Fields said the city should be involved in marketing the city through more than just the hiring process.

“We have to be more than the body that appoints knowledgeable and capable volunteers to commissions,” he said. “The city has to ensure that we have a holistic approach to marketing our rich history. In essence, the mayor is the primary ambassador and face of the city.”

For Grennell, supporting local tourism is a big part of supporting the economy.

“One of the first things we need to do is straighten out the mess at the (Convention and Visitors Bureau),” Grennell said. “Too many times Natchez gets off to a good start in one direction, then promptly shoots itself in the foot.”

Grennell said the city is responsible for hiring the right people and then allowing them to do their jobs.

“As mayor, I will devote major effort to making sure we hire the right professionals for important positions, then make sure that those people are free to do their jobs, within the purview of responsible oversight,” Grennell said.

For Junkin, the city’s role in tourism is to treat it as they would any other business.

“Fairness to all businesses, tourism and non-tourism alike, is not only just but required by law,” Junkin said. “The city should treat all businesses, current and prospective, the same way.”

Natchez’s future

The future of Natchez and its economy, the candidates agree, relies on its young people.

Fields said apprenticeships and internships could attract young professionals to Natchez or give young natives the opportunity to stay in their hometown. The business environment, he said, has a lot to do with the success of the next generation.

“Recent graduates and young people should stay in Natchez because it is a community that offers a plethora of opportunities for successful living,” Fields said. “While such may not be the landscape today, this is my most honest and desired goal for them as mayor.”

For Grennell, the city’s struggle to attract new residents and young people is a major concern.

“Everything comes back to economics,” Grennell said. “A lot of middle-aged people who left Natchez and succeeded would love to return to the city they love, but they can’t because the industry they work in does not exist here.” Grennell said.

The answer, Grennell said, is the development of industry and the elimination of wasted government assets.

“We can no longer afford to waste time or dollars and write off the resulting losses as ‘the Natchez way,’” he said. “Difficult problems rarely have simple solutions.”

Junkin said he sees unemployment as the greatest barrier to new settlement in Natchez.

“(The city should) provide excellent city services, so that businesses want to stay in or relocate to Natchez and therefore provide good paying jobs,” Junkin said.