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NATCHEZ — Natchez attorney Bryan Callaway has resigned his job as city attorney, and effective Jan. 1, 2024, will go to work for Sixth District Circuit Court Judge Debra Blackwell.

The job in Blackwell’s office became available when Matt Kidder resigned to become an assistant district attorney in Sixth District Attorney Tim Cotton’s new administration.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson thanked Callaway for his work as city attorney.

“We are very grateful to Bryan for his years of service to the city. Together we have accomplished some great things,” Gibson said. “We wish him well on this new chapter of his life. We have no doubts that he will continue to serve the citizens well.”

Gibson said he is not making any comments about Callaway’s replacement at this time “but we will have more to share soon.”

“It has been an honor to work for the city I love,” Callaway said. “Working with the mayor and aldermen, I believe we have made Natchez a better place. It is time for me to leave, but the city is in good hands. Our mayor is one of the hardest working people I know, and he has surrounded himself with dedicated employees who have Natchez’s best interest at heart.

“It’s politics. You are never going to make everyone happy, and there are people who seem to survive and thrive off whining and complaining. I can assure you none of these people have any clue how hard the mayor, the clerks, public works, James Johnston and the other employees work each day to advance Natchez,” Callaway said.

Blackwell thanked Kidder for the outstanding job he did as staff attorney in her office and said she looks forward to working with Callaway.

“Matt has been with me for five years and did an excellent job. We are going to miss him. However, he had an opportunity to go to work as an assistant district attorney, and I think he will serve the community well,” she said.

“I am very fortunate to have Bryan Callaway agree to work with us. He is very experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of the law. He served as county prosecutor and was an assistant district attorney and has vast experience in civil litigation. I look forward to having him on board and am certain he will be an asset to the Sixth Circuit District,” Blackwell said.