Every week as I write my column “From the Mayor’s Desk”, I look forward to sharing all of the positive news happening in our special city on the Bluff. This week as I write, however, my heart is heavy for those who have suffered recent loss in our community. Recent headlines have been difficult to read.
In late January, a beloved young teacher from Natchez’ McLaurin Elementary passed away unexpectedly. Kimberly McKnight was loved by all who knew her, and her passion for her “inclusion” students will forever be remembered.
Last week, completely without warning, long-time Natchez Public Works employee Michael Jackson passed away, just one month after losing his house in a Christmas Eve fire. Mike was beloved by so many, and during our last visit he shared his appreciation for so many in Natchez who had rallied to help him. I’ll never forget his beautiful smile.
Just last Sunday, the Natchez-Adams County School District lost another dedicated friend and former administrator, Dr. Ruby As-Sabor to a tragic house fire. Dr. Ruby had retired in 2021 as Director of Special Services and was known for her love and advocacy for students with special needs.
Also last week, Natchez-Adams County Resident James Willard Calhoun was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking in a dark area along Morgantown Road, underscoring the need for renovations to this road which are soon to be happening. Mr. Calhoun was someone well-known to the residents in the rural area where he lived.
And to add further sadness to the news of late, as of this writing a gentleman known for his work ethic and kind manner, Donny Mitchell, fell into the Mississippi River Tuesday while working on a barge, and search teams still have not recovered his body. Also in the news: the near death experience of individuals involved in a head-on collision last weekend that occurred out in the Kingston community has concerned many. Mr. Mitchell’s family, and the victims of this collision, have a special place in our prayers.
It is in times like this that I have no choice but to turn to my faith and the promises God has for us. “I look to the hills from whence cometh my help”, as the Psalmist writes, and in due time, that comfort does come.
Over 30 years ago when I lost my mother to cancer, I went through a challenging time. It was through that experience that I lived out the truth of God’s word in Lamentations: “His mercies are new each and every morning.” Without the daily supply of His new mercies, shown to me in the kindness of others, I don’t know what I would have done.
While we all would prefer I’m sure to read the happy articles, it is in times like this that we as a community need to pause and consider our neighbors and friends who are suffering loss. We should be the “hands and feet” of God as we not only pray for them but minister kindness and compassion to them.
May God grant extra fresh mercies to these who are hurting in our midst. May we continually thank him for the beautiful community we call home, taking note of those things that are most important, and using this time to re-focus on the ways in which we can love and give. In my heart I know this is where true healing takes place and where joy eventually overcomes sorrow. I thank God for Natchez and the beautiful people of this special place. May God continue to bless. Because Natchez Deserves More.
– Dan M. Gibson, Mayor of Natchez
Mr. Mayor,
Thank you for your “Weekly Bread,” but you should be spending more time in the office doing your job, running City Hall according to the wishes of the Board and less time writing columns and praying.
You just ignore motions passed by the Board. For example: The Board passed the Shift South initiative to incentivize people to move here only if the County participated. The County opted out but you to have the Board pay Natchez, Inc for this project that cost Natchez over $100,000.00 when you knew that the County opted out and didn’t tell the Board. The legislation you got passed only says that the County may pay. They don’t have to. Some of the people who got the incentive of $6,100.00 already lived here.
The Board passed a motion to get an Attorney General’s Opinion on the hiring of a pro tem municipal court judge from out of town. (All employees for the City of Natchez shall be residents of Natchez as the emloyee handbook states.) The opinion was never requested and the out of towner is still pro tem judge. Didn’t the board pass a motion to have Natchez, Inc. audited? Why do we have five (5) economic development associations in our small town? The budget allows for $100,000.00 for EDA, but you are funding five of these non-profits. I wonder who really profits?
Your tax collector’s (City Clerk) job has been handed over to the Planning Department where the staff there are not trained to give out licenses for doing business in Natchez and there is no way to tell who is paid up or not.
And what’s up with sending 3 city clerks to Ridgeland for the Mississippi Association of Self-Insureds conference? Isn’t that the place where you used to work? Obviously, they didn’t teach anything about running a City according to the laws of the State and City.
One city clerk told me she’s never looked at the Codes of which define her job and duties, like the one where the city clerk is responsible for collecting taxes and there’s a whole chapter on the procedures that must be followed. Currently they are not being followed.
And what were you doing chairing the Education Committee meeting on interviewing candidates for the Natchez Adams County School board. Valencia Hall is the Chair of that committee. You are not chair of any committee, sir. Roberts Rules of Order.
Please spend the time, since you have an assistant that we’re paying for, to read the City Code and Statutes in the Mississippi Code that regulate your duties as mayor because what I have noted here is a drop in the bucket of Codes and Statutes that you have been consistently violating.
We all have our own churches and religions we practice, and we didn’t ask you to be our pastor. Your job is to run the city.