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NATCHEZ, Miss. – City aldermen and county supervisors five years ago formed a recreation compact to jointly upgrade and maintain Natchez-Adams County parks and sports venues, but it’s “kind of fallen by the wayside” and needs to “retooled,” said county board attorney Scott Slover.

 

While the city and county boards would continue to jointly fund and operate the community swimming pool they built together, Adams County supervisors might stop allocating $440,000 it annually budgets for the joint recreation program, Slover said Monday.

 

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson has said city officials are developing a comprehensive plan for improving recreation that could be funded by Natchez borrowing money through a bond issue.

 

Slover said he and the mayor met last week to discuss the future of the joint recreation program, which hasn’t lived up to expectations since the compact was made in late 2015. City and county officials agreed then to consolidate funds to enhance the community’s recreational offerings under the governance of the Natchez-Adams County Recreation Commission.

 

It began with ambitious plans when the YMCA was contracted to manage recreation, but the Jackson-based organization pulled out in 2019, and then the Recreation Commission became largely dysfunctional with it going months without enough members showing up to meet.

 

The swimming pool at Liberty Park – which opened in 2018 – appears as the only enhancement produced by the consolidation.

 

The city Board of Aldermen and county Board of Supervisors voted earlier this year to move forward with additional pool improvements, it came with opposition from board members who questioned how the costly upgrades could be made when so many other recreational facilities remain in bad shape and need more money.

 

Installing a pool heater, insulation cover, a deck, lockers and other improvements has been estimated to cost about $345,000. The state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is paying 50 percent of the costs while the city and county boards are paying the rest.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Adams County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to extend the local COVID mask mandate through April or until enough residents have been vaccinated.

 

While two supervisors said they just want to “strongly urge” people to wear face coverings, they were outvoted by the three board members who said government needs to require masks be worn in public settings “to keep our people safe.”

 

Adams County board President Angela Hutchins said more time is needed to ensure enough residents get their COVID vaccines to protect them from the highly contagious virus. She also expressed concerns about more people gathering together during the spring break. “We don’t know what the spike is going to be after that,” Hutchins said.

 

However, Supervisor Kevin Wilson, who noted the downward spread of the coronavirus, said it’s time to rescind the eight-month mask mandate for Natchez-Adams County.

 

“People are ready to start back with their lives again. It’s been a long year,” Wilson said.

 

Supervisors Ricky Gray and Warren Gaines joined Hutchins in voting to extend the mask mandate until April 30. Supervisor Wes Middleton joined Wilson in voting against this. The extension through April can be lifted if a 15,000-vaccination threshold is reached for Natchez-Adams County.

 

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city a year ago today was thrust into an official state of emergency when then-mayor Darryl Grennell urged Natchez residents to forgo group activities as COVID-19’s global spread reached Mississippi.

 

“The only way we can reduce and slow the spread of this virus and flatten the curve of the infection rate, and the resulting impact on our health-care system, is by limiting our exposure to one another,” Grennell said in declaring an emergency March 15, 2020.

 

The Adams County Board of Supervisors followed a day later with a similar declaration that began a series of restrictions to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. County Emergency Management Director Brad Bradford that day prophetically pointed to the widespread disruption the pandemic will have: “People say it’s going to be rough.”

 

A year later – after at least 79 Natchez-Adams County residents have died from COVID and more than 2,370 infected – the community remains in a state of emergency, but conditions are improving.

 

“It’s been a tough year, but I truly believe the worst is behind us,” said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, who took office in July.

 

He pointed to Natchez-Adams County’s declining number of COVID-related deaths and infections while mass vaccinations are being given to local residents as the country seeks to immunize millions of people from the virus.

 

After peaking at 123 new COVID cases and four deaths for the week ending Jan. 9, the numbers have declined in recent weeks, with 14 new cases and no deaths for the week ending March 6, according to the Mississippi Department of Health’s latest published tally.

 

More than 10,000 vaccine doses have been administered to Adams County residents getting the needed two doses of the Moderna/Pfizer vaccines or the one requisite shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according the Department of Health.

 

“We’re on the right path,” Gibson said.

 

However, in the words of a USA Today Network reporter, the novel coronavirus “upended and ended more American lives than any event in generations.”

 

In addition to killing and sickening victims, COVID last year compelled state and local governments to order businesses to close, restrict public movement and limit inside and outside gatherings in an effort to curb the spread of the airborne virus.

 

Those rules have since been eased or lifted, but the most visible government mandate – the wearing of masks in public – remains in effect for Natchez-Adams County for now. The Adams County Board of Supervisors is meeting today and could decide whether to retain or rescind the mask order, which has been in effect for the county and city since July.

 

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves lifted the state-imposed mask mandate in early March, but local governments can continue to keep theirs in place.

 

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen is applying for state funds to upgrade a road for an unnamed industrial prospect interested in locating in Natchez.

 

After closing the public out of its meeting Tuesday to discuss this, the board voted in open session to seek a grant for “the improvement of a road necessary for bringing a new employer to Natchez,” said Mayor Dan Gibson.

 

Before the closed-door meeting, Gibson said the industrial prospect wants to remain confidential until a decision is made to establish a business in Natchez.

 

This comes a month after the mayor traveled to Atlanta to meet with what he described in February as  “international investors” interested in “technology” that could “possibly lead to some industry” in Natchez. He said the investors were planning to visit Natchez in April.

 

Aldermen on Tuesday agreed to ask the Mississippi Development Authority to give Natchez money for upgrading a road that wasn’t identified during the meeting’s open session. Gibson did say the grant application is to MDA’s Development Infrastructure Grant Program, which provides funds to local governments as incentives for new or expanding industries. The state economic development program does limit grants to $150,000 per project, according to an MDA report.

 

Gibson said he also traveled to Savannah in February to meet with local officials there, including Mayor Van Johnson and representatives of the Savannah College of Art and Design. He said SCAD “brought new life to Savannah” since its 1979 inception, and he indicated he’s getting ideas from them on how to bring new life to Natchez. He said more meetings are in store that include movie producers Tate Taylor and John Norris, who are redeveloping the Natchez bluff area as an entertainment district with restaurants, bars, music venues and a movie studio.

 

While visiting Savannah, Gibson said he was also impressed by the many restaurants offering outdoor dining. With the COVID pandemic making indoor dining less appealing, “the more outdoor seating, the better,” Gibson said.

 

The mayor said Natchez should relax regulations on outdoor dining and allow restaurants to take up street parking spaces for seating their patrons. More streetside dining “could add a great vibe to downtown.” Gibson said.

 

He noted Taylor and Norris’ plans for the Natchez bluff area are incorporating more outdoor dining, as is Main Street restaurant owner Fred Kent. Kent has sought the city’s permission for The Kitchen Bistro to set up outdoor dining space at the front of  the restaurant.

 

While this expansion would take up some Main Street parking spots, Gibson said he sees outdoor dining options “as being great for Natchez. Let’s all keep an open mind about this.”

 

Noting how COVID has hurt the business, Kent told city officials last month that outdoor-dining accommodations are essential to encourage more people to eat out and  help restaurants survive.

 

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Mayor Dan Gibson asked Natchez residents to be patient while crews continue to clean up after the February ice storm that broke trees throughout the city.

 

“It’s been quite a job,”said Gibson, pointing Tuesday to the work needed to cut and pick up all the woody debris that remains from the Feb. 17 ice storm. “In due time, we’re going to be past this.”

 

The mayor and Natchez Board of Aldermen last month declared a state of emergency and contracted Looks Great Services of Columbia to haul away city residents’ tree limbs they’ve been asked to pile along city streets. Beginning last week, company trucks and crews could be seen doing their work assessing the damage and cutting down imperiled limbs hovering over city streets.

 

Gibson said disaster-recovery reports show Natchez and Adams County suffered enough damage to qualify for state and federal funds for the clean-up. He pointed to the considerable damage to trees, structures, roads and the city’s water-sewer system caused by the winter storm.

 

State and federal governments could also reimburse the city for patching street potholes caused by the icy conditions, Gibson said. Aldermen noted Tuesday they’ve gotten many calls from constituents about the storm debris and deteriorated streets since the storm. City officials are encouraging Natchez  residents to contact aldermen or City Hall about potholes and storm remnants that need to be addressed.

 

“Working together, I think we’re getting (over) the winter storm and looking forward to a beautiful spring,” Gibson said.

 

There are no size restrictions on the tree rubbish that residents place along city streets to be carted off. Storm-related construction debris should be in separate piles.

 

Gibson noted residents can seek state and federal funds on their own for repairing their ice storm-damaged properties. Go to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website for more information about getting disaster assistance: www.msema.org/about/individual-assistance/

 

MEMA reports at least 113 homes and five businesses in Adams County were damaged by the February winter storm, which began Feb. 15 with snow and sleet and was followed Feb. 17 by heavy, freezing rain. This caused trees and water pipes to break and widespread structural damage that included leaking and collapsed roofs. Natchez’ water system was crippled and under a boil water alert for six days.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – County supervisors alleged some Natchez-Adams County Airport Commission members are meddling too much into the facility’s day-to-day operations and potentially creating conflicts of interest with the airport’s business dealings.

 

Supervisors said Monday they’ll consider whether to dissolve the five-member commission they appoint and have supervisors be the airport’s governing board.

 

Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson expressed concerns that Airport Commission members are “micromanaging” operations and could run off Director of Aviation Richard Nelson.

 

County board President Angela Hutchins agreed. “I don’t want (airport commissioners) to dictate to him how to run the airport,” she said, counting two commission members who are “calling the shots.”

 

No commission members’ names were mentioned during the Board of Supervisors’ discussions Monday.

 

Supervisor Ricky Gray said it appears at least one commission member is using his position to help someone get business with the airport.

 

Gray did not elaborate, but did say “If we’ve got a person with a conflict of interest, they need to be removed.”

 

As the Board of Supervisors decide whether to reappoint current Airport Commission members, Hutchins said some could be bumped out when their terms expire. Supervisors agreed Monday to further consider whether to dissolve the commission before deciding on appointments.

 

Members of the Natchez-Adams County Airport Commission in 2020 were Gary Holloway, David Gaude, Edward Ealey, Theodore Johnson and John McCullough.

 

The discussions about the commission comes a year after airport officials presented supervisors a master plan that includes runway resurfacing and new lighting at the aging facility. It dates back to1946, when the property was obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and runways built to military specifications. The existing terminal building was constructed in 1959 by Natchez and Adams County when the airport had passenger airlines serving the area.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County crews are continuing to pick up tree limbs and other debris after last month’s winter storm left many county residents with piles of wood in their neighborhoods and roadsides.

 

“We have not forgotten you. We will do the best we can in getting everything cleaned up,” said Adams County Supervisor Warren Gaines.

 

Sleet and snow covered Adams County Feb. 15 to be followed by freezing rain Feb. 17, blanketing the area in ice and causing massive amounts of trees and limbs to break.

 

County Road Manager Robbie Dollar said his crew has two large trucks equipped to collect and haul away limbs in response to the many calls county residents have been making for help.

 

The Natchez Board of Aldermen last week hired a storm-recovery specialist – Looks Great Services of Columbia – to haul away city residents’ tree limbs that they’re being asked to pile along city streetsides. Mayor Dan Gibson said preliminary estimates show Natchez and Adams County suffered enough damage to qualify for state and federal funds for the clean-up. He pointed to the considerable damage to trees, structures, roads and the city’s water-sewer system caused by the winter storm.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – County supervisors have agreed to pay public defense attorneys for their recent work amid a squabble between Adams County’s two circuit judges about who they should appoint to represent indigent clients.

 

At Monday’s meeting of the county board, Judges Lillie Blackmon Sanders and Debra Blackwell displayed their disagreements in full view of the supervisors.

 

Blackwell indicated she’s being pressured to appoint Sanders’ daughter and sister as public defenders.

 

“It’s my courtroom, and I’m not going to let Judge Sanders or anyone else force me to appoint someone I don’t want to appoint,” Blackwell told the supervisors.

 

In explaining why she won’t appoint Sanders’ relatives, Blackwell said she seeks the best-qualified attorneys.

 

Sanders – as Adams County’s longest-serving Circuit Court judge — holds seniority status, but the anti-nepotism law doesn’t allow her to appoint daughter Aisha Sanders and sister Lydia Blackmon as county public defense lawyers.

 

They’re among the seven local attorneys listed to be public defenders, and Sanders is counting on Blackwell to appoint them while Sanders tapped others to represent defendants in her courtroom, said county board President Angela Hutchins.

 

Sanders said Blackwell is being too uncompromising. “She wants to be able to do whatever she wants to do,” Sanders said of her fellow jurist.

 

As Judges Sanders and Blackwell displayed their disagreement during the county board meeting,  supervisors stressed they’re trying to ensure the county fairly pays attorneys working for people accused of crimes but can’t afford their own attorneys.

 

“I know the problems between the judges,” said Supervisor Warren Gaines, but the focus should be on efforts to “get the defendants better represented.”

 

After hearing the two judges air out their conflicts Monday, the five supervisors agreed to pay public defenders for their recent work.

 

The supervisors in February had questioned the amount they were ordered by the court to pay the lawyers for representing clients the past two months, so the judges lowered the compensation to fit the $270,000 annual budget the board previously set for them, said county board attorney Scott Slover.

 

Adams County public defenders are each paid about $3,000 a month.

 

Local attorneys in private practice are randomly tapped by the judges to represent criminal defendants, but the Board of Supervisors last year voted to establish a formal county office of public defenders with five lawyers. Sanders appointed Jeffrey Harness to be the chief public defense attorney with him selecting the four other attorneys. However, that plan got derailed amid questions about whether it’s legal for Harness to hire Blackmon and Aisha Sanders as two of the attorneys.

 

The public defenders office is intended to have lawyers more focused on criminal-defense practice to ensure accused criminals’ rights to effective legal representation are secured.

 

In addition to Sanders and Blackmon, Harness had selected Natchez attorneys Tim Blalock and Zach Jex to staff the public defenders office.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County supervisors and their chief administrator said they can’t afford to give pay raises to county employees after a  financial review shows various expenditures are quickly eating up incoming revenues.

 

“We don’t have anything to work with,” said county Administrator Angie King, who noted county departments have been spending too much money not knowing whether it’s in the budget. “They ate it up.”

 

“There are a lot of negative numbers in our budget. We should never have that,” King told the county board Monday.

 

She also noted costly spikes in county-provided health insurance for employees are taking large chunks of the budget.

 

The Board of Supervisors last month had asked King to review the county’s budget to determine if it can afford pay raises for employees. The board began the fiscal year in October projecting a total annual budget of about $33 million. Supervisors adopted the budget then with a stipulation that pay raises could be forthcoming later in the year if the money is there.

 

“We can’t do it if the county administrator says it’s not there, but you know I’m all for raises,” said board President Angela Hutchins.

 

Supervisors acknowledged many county workers are underpaid – especially those in the road department. Road Manager Robbie Dollar has been pleading with county supervisors for months to increase his workers’ wages as several are quitting for higher pay elsewhere.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen has hired contractors to pick up Natchez residents’ debris from last week’s disastrous winter storm.

 

While no timetable was discussed during Thursday’s board meeting, Mayor Dan Gibson said the cleanup is being fast-tracked as Natchez remains in a city-declared emergency with downed trees and limbs and other storm damage-related hazards.

 

Residents are being asked to pile up their tree debris as close as possible to their properties’ streets curbs. Construction debris can also be placed in separate piles to be hauled away. There are no size restrictions on what will be hauled away, according to a report presented Thursday to Gibson and Natchez aldermen.

 

Natchez and its residents face a massive cleanup job and costly repairs after the Feb. 17 ice storm caused trees and water pipes to break and widespread structural damage that included leaking and collapsed roofs.

 

City officials contracted two south Mississippi-based companies experienced in disaster-recovery work to do the clean up and accounting of how much is hauled away. The mayor expressed confidence the city will be reimbursed by state and federal governments for the costs.

 

Gibson said early estimates show Natchez and Adams County suffered at least $1.5 million in damages, which the mayor said shows the city and county should qualify to receive state and federal funds for the storm-recovery effort. Gibson pointed to the considerable damage to trees, structures, roads and the city’s water-sewer system.

 

City water was deemed safe to drink Tuesday after lab tests showed Natchez’ water system had recovered from getting drained by broken pipes and leaks. A boil-water alert had been imposed Feb. 17, after the frigid temperatures and icy precipitation crippled the city.

 

In addition to hiring the Mississippi debris-removal companies from Columbia and Picayune, Gibson and Natchez aldermen have contracted an Arkansas-based company to help assess the ice storm’s devastation and navigate the process for getting reimbursed for the clean-up costs.

 

Natchez-Adams County officials are also encouraging people with property damage — such as from ice-laden, leaky roofs and broken trees – to file an online report with the county or phone the county emergency management office. Go to

https://www.adamscountyms.net or https://www.crisistrack.com/public/adamsMS/request.html or telephone 601 442-7021.

 

The individual reports will help the county add up total amounts to be used as the federal government decides whether private property owners can be eligible for federal disaster-recovery funds. Even property owners covered by insurance should report their damage to the county.

 

While it’s uncertain how fast the storm mess will be picked up from city streets, Gibson expressed hopes Natchez will look better when more tourists come to town for the annual Spring Pilgrimage that starts March 13.

 

He did say a community clean-up day might be set March 6 for volunteers to come out in droves to help residents gather their debris to be placed on curbsides to be hauled away.