What a blessing it was this week to join with other lovers of Natchez on the front steps of our historic City Hall to share the 2025 State of the City address. And exactly what is the state of the city? It is strong – Natchez Strong.
While there are some who thrive on negativity and skepticism, nothing is stopping our Natchez Renewal. Like the great steamer Natchez that we witnessed making her way slowly upriver on Monday, coming slowly into view as she fought the strong currents of the world’s mightiest river, opportunities we have long awaited are now on the horizon. Slowly, they are beginning to come into view. And while the progress has not been easy, we have never given up. Hobby Lobby, Trace Town Shopping Center at the intersection of Sgt. Prentiss and JR Junkin, a new retail development coming north of Walmart, The Eola Hotel soon to be a Marriott Tribute property, a multimillion-dollar dock on the river to accommodate river boats that will eventually overnight in Natchez, commercial air, more industrial development… it’s all on the horizon. And just as the currents of resistance can’t stop the steamer Natchez, nothing can stop the progress headed our way.
For some it seems easier to doubt. Doubt and fear go hand in hand. They are in fact the most natural of human expressions. Faith and courage are the harder reach, and I believe it is the inability of people to keep faith and to have courage that holds them back. This is something that has held our city and even our state back for decades. In fact, even prior to covid and the beginning of our administration there were those who had given up on Natchez. People were leaving, businesses were closing, and it seemed that our best days were behind us. But we broke free from those chains of negativity. We have celebrated record growth – jobs, new businesses, major improvements to our parks, city streets, public buildings and infrastructure. And we must continue to break free from the debilitating mindset of negativity. If we don’t, other cities across this great country will pass us by. This is our time. Our time is NOW.
In 2020 when our city was in the grips of the national covid pandemic and on the verge of despair, even before I became your mayor, I shared the words that “In our over 300 years, Natchez has overcome every challenge, and we will overcome this. In time people will be talking about the Natchez Renewal.” And here we are, over five years later. The Natchez Renewal continues to be on the lips of people throughout the region marveling at the progress happening in our beautiful city on the highest hill.
But yes – we have the skeptics. Across our land people are suffering from negativity. It has become the new virus that, like the covid, has infected millions. And it is toxic and out to destroy our country. Never in my lifetime have I witnessed such hate and division. The enemy is out to divide, conquer and destroy. And hate is its greatest weapon.
In my heart, I believe hate stems from fear – and that hate is nothing but fear externalized. But we have nothing to fear. In the words of the psalmist, God’s favor is our shield. As is said in Isaiah, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. And from 2nd Timothy, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Working together is the key to our future. As I have said so many times, we must continue to move forward as One Natchez. Just as the Great River flows without distraction or interruption so must we. It is not about black or white, red or blue, republican or democrat, or all the other classifications society weaponizes to divide us. Increasingly in today’s political environment, people desperate for power stoke the flames of hate as a means of getting what they want. They make their speeches. They write their books. They produce their documentaries. And they post their lies on social media. It is a story as old as time. But as long as we rise above the despicable tactics meant to defeat us, we as a city can be victorious – and the sky is the limit. This holds true not only for Natchez but for Mississippi. For too long we have allowed the hate to hold us back. It is time to move forward in love.
Now is the time to give all we’ve got. With a clear focus and a reliance on our “can do” positivity, now is the time to take the next step. We must set the example for others on how a city that works together thrives together. Jobs. Lifestyle. Infrastructure. Home Sales. Tourism. Growing Economy. We have much to be grateful for – and there’s so much more to come. This is our time. Our time is NOW. Because Natchez Deserves More.
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