The city charter says Aldermen "shall be bona fide residents of the respective wards". So what's a "bona fide resident"? It doesn't say. But it does say this:
"All inhabitants of said City of Natchez eighteen or more years of age and citizens of the United States and of this state, not disqualified by the Constitution of the United States or of this state, who shall have resided in the city thirty consecutive days prior to any election in said city, and shall have been registered as legal voters thereof shall be qualified voters at such election, and eligible to any office thereof"
But there is no definition of "reside". Nor could I find any definitions of residency in the state code. The generally accepted legal definition is:
"RESIDENT - A person coming into a place with intention to establish his domicil or permanent residence, and who in consequence actually remains there. "
All this sounds pretty fuzzy to me. And of course, questionable residency is not a new thing in Natchez - for example, Mayors West and Brown.
So who gets to decide this question? This is an issue in the Democratic Primary Election, and the local Democratic Party gets to decide who is a qualified Democratic candidate. Therefore, the Aldermen filed their challenges in a timely fashion with the County Democratic Committee. However, they said that's not our responsibility - that belongs to the Municipal Democratic Committee. The what? I never knew there even was one. It turns out to have only one member, who then scrambled around trying to appoint some more members to hear this case. She could only find two other brave souls, because no one wanted to get in the middle of this political firestorm.
However, there was a hearing tonight, after being postponed twice. Alderwoman Arceneaux presented lots of evidence that Paul Johnson lived in Ward 2. Paul Johnson said it was all true, except he moved and changed his voter registration more than 30 days before the election, as allowed by the City Charter.
Sounds pretty clear to me. Paul Johnson is registered to vote in Ward 1, and therefore he can run for Alderman in Ward l. One of the Committee members asked Paul if he moved just to run for office. You know what? That's none of his business. He can move for any reason he wants, so long as it's within the 30 days. End of discussion. That's my humble opinion.
Alderman Gray just said his opponent didn't live in Ward 2, but he presented no evidence, because he said it was up to the Committee to investigate. (Lots of luck, Ricky!) However, he was fortunate because Larry Hooper didn't show up for the hearing to present his case.
However, there's another issue at work here. One thing the law is clear on. Absentee ballots must be ready 45 days before an election. That's already passed, and the ballots are printed and ready. There was a lot of hollering about that, but it looks clear to me.
If the law is followed, both opponents should be allowed to stay on the ballot. But we'll see.
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Larry Hooper was not there because he had an activity after school on this date. He is a Principal in Centerville. He did show up at the previously scheduled meeting and waited in the rain for a long time before leaving. I was there with him. It is extremely unprofessional for a committee to schedule a meeting and not show up for their own meeting. If Mr. Gray is so confident that he is doing a great job he should show his body of work over the last two terms and let the citizens decide if he is worthy of keeping his position. Seems to me,that he is scared of Hooper and probably Franklin as well. Let your work speak for you. Remember that you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can never fool all the people all the time.
Whether Gray is confident or not is beside the point. It sounds like Hooper doesn't live in the ward.
I think the real point here is candidates being honest with those they seek to serve. If they don't or haven't lived in the areas they are claiming they do, well, just what we need, more distrust in public service.
just the same old thing aldermen think they own the position look at bubba west
I don't know much about Paul Johnson or Larry Hooper, but just the thought of a Board of Alderman without Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis and R. Gray brings about a state of ecstasy. I would like to see the entire board thrown out, but Ricky Gray is the worst of the lot.
I am particularly confused after reading this blog. I have attended many of the Board of Aldermen meetings for few years; and, I read about them in the Natchez Democrat quite often. It is perplexing that many people feel as though Alderman Gray is not a good representative for the citizens of Ward 2. What each of us must remember is each alderperson represents a different segment of our city. Ricky Gray cannot represent his constituents in the same manner as Bob Pollard. The needs of the citizens of Ward 2 are vastly differenct. Ward 2 is served best by a passionate leader who is attentive and responsive to the basic needs of the people. This is what Alderman Gray does. Not only does he plead for assistance, he actually provides assistance. When our city workers are not able to pick up trash or do not clean the streets, I have personally seen this young man walking down the street with a garbage bag in his hands picking up paper. This is commendable.
I think that most of our city department heads have collectively worked against Alderman Gray. Because he is so passionate about his service to his constituents, many of the department heads are often offended when he exposes their lack of response to many of the things to which the residents have requested assistance.
Without Alderman Gray in office, one could ask the question, "Will the people of Ward 2 really be represented?" So many elected officials sell out for the sake of being liked by the masses. I am happy that Alderman Gray does not concern himself with matters like that. It is evident that he has his own mind and that he makes his own decisions. Regardless if they are right, wrong, or indifferent, he makes them and is not ashamed of the positions that he takes.
I solicit the support of all Natchezians to make concerted effort to become more active participants in our local government affairs. The Board of Aldermen cannot make Natchez a better place in which we shall continue to live. Each of us can make a positive contribution to enahancing the overall quality of life in this community.
As for Ward 2, I am fighting for, and supporting Alderman James "Ricky" Gray.
He may not be the perfect Alderman, but he is a practicing one......
Well said. Gray is always working. I may not agree with how he words things but at least his is always trying.
How to get of opponents? If they do not live in the ward. They should not be allowed to run. You make it sound like those who do live in the ward should not bring this up.
If they do not live in the ward. They should not be allowed to run.Period.
The only work Gray is doing is working to fool people. He campaigns yearround by going to every wedding, funeral, reception, party, baby shower, etc.to rub shoulders and get chummy with people so they will support him when the election comes around. Meanwhile nothing gets done in the community. Have you stepped outside lately. Has he ever had a serious job himself. How can he help bring in jobs then is the question.
It is NOT the duty of the government to create jobs. Good jobs are created in the private sector.
Look around! Our unemployment is lower than it's been in 8 years! Natchez is finally coming around. Where have you been?
I simply don't believe those stats (maybe they're just election-time statements) on unemployment. I don't trust anyone around here after some of the stories I hear about this city government.
It's amazing that some on here see doom and gloom when, in fact, there are more things happening right now in Natchez than almost ever before. There is a select group of people downtown who stay unhappy all the time, nothing satisfies them. Things are looking good in Natchez right now for the first time in years. If there was ever a time to be optimistic, it's now.
I agree. You cannot argue with RESULTS. It is happening right here right now more so than ever in recent history. Naysayers are naysayers they are complainers and will always be whiners and miserable discontents who find fault in everything. Screw them.
Gray's a joke. He's pitching a fit about where Hooper may or may not live , has he forgotten that he did NOT live in Ward 2 himself when he first ran for the position. He was living out past Broadmoor with his first wife and he moved to his father's home after he won. Whatever happened to what's good for the goose...... I don't live in Natchez so I can't vote but I know Larry and I know his heart is with/in the north side of Natchez because if not he would have left alone time ago like me and so many others for a better life. Gray must also have forgotten that many of the people who voted for him in the first election did not even live in the state of Mississippi anymore. Sound's like somebody is a crybaby to me who doesn't want to lose his job which he should realize is a city's position not his. Let the voters deide what is best for them.
I agree with the earlier comment about him going to everybody's funeral cause he was at my great uncle's funeral not too long ago andhe did not even know him or most of our family. He helped to put out chairs and everything. I asked my aunt why was he there and she said that he does it for votes. Maybe he should just put up or shut up and tell, better yet show the voters what he has done for his ward. Where does he really live himself.
I agree with the earlier comment about him going to everybody's funeral cause he was at my great uncle's funeral not too long ago andhe did not even know him or most of our family. He helped to put out chairs and everything. I asked my aunt why was he there and she said that he does it for votes. Maybe he should just put up or shut up and tell, better yet show the voters what he has done for his ward. Where does he really live himself.
So, from your testimony, Larry Hooper does not live in the Ward. He did not show up at the forum and the talk is that he is dropping out of the race. If in fact he doesn’t live in the ward, he needs to drop out.
The unemployment rate in April 2008:
http://natchezdemocrat.com/news/2008/apr/03/unemployment-rates-continues-drop-adams-county-sta/?print
Unemployment rate Oct 2003
HTTP://NATCHEZDEMOCRAT.COM/NEWS/2003/OCT/09/JOBLESS-RATE-NOW-REFLECTS-LAYOFFS-AT-IP/?PRINT
There are so many "haters" in Natchez, Mississippi. I wonder how many people on this blog actually participate in local goverment affairs, outside of gossip and responses to forums like this one. If so many people are so upset and outdone with the leadership and they want so much to change, why aren't more people on the ballot?
There are two old sayings that I used to hear people say: (1) Piss or get up off the pot; and (2) Put up shut up. All those who are so disgrunted and unhappy should be on the ballot, or they should be out visibly campaign to unelect the present officials.
I guess deep down inside, Natchezians are rather happy, huh?
why is all the focus on just Gray, aren't he and Arceneaux joined at the hips and brains. True to form just like their voting records , monkey see monkey do.......follow the leader. It was probably Arceneaux's idea because Gray usually follows her lead. Gray should be embarrased of himself since he did not live in the area when he ran at first. He lived out by Steamplant Rd. I liked the earlier comment about the young man helping to pick up paper ( I've never seen it.) Have you ever met a young man that is right at 50 years old. Just like was said earlier, he has many senior aged people fooled by his routine. Most younger and middle aged black people know the real Rickey Gray. It's unfortunate that they don't vote or don't live in the city like myself. He has gone as far as even putting a bible verse on his signs when he spends his Sunday mornings working at his tax free job of taking up money at the door to a nightclub that is known for having illegal activity. But true to form, he does visit somebody's church when he leaves the club most of the time. He gets his rest during the week because he doesn't work like most people who he makes more money than like police and firemen.
Personal attacks are soooooo tacky.
I agree with the comment about all the focus on Mr. Gray. If he is doing an awful job, why aren't there more credible candidates than Larry Hooper and Johnny Franklin. If you want to know the real truth, neither will do anything different than Mr. Gray.
Natchez needs to wake up. The community has not prepared another generation of leaders. There are no real leaders in Natchez to be considered to elected office. This is what happens when self-serving politicians make careers out of public office. You find just what we have in Natchez...., a community enroute to desolation.
Mr. Gray has done no less than any other person elected to public office in Natchez in the last 20-30 years.
I can say this much about the guy, "I don't know him; therefore, I can't comment about him."
"You find just what we have in Natchez...., a community enroute to desolation." An eye test is in order for the person who posted this comment. Our city is finally moving. There are goods things that are happening. Look at the unemployment rate. In the last 4 years it has been cut in half.
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