Three of the four Democratic candidates for mayor responded in writing to nine questions mailed to them in April by The Vicksburg Post.

The answers of Gertrude Anderson Young, John Shorter and Paul Winfield follow in the order received. No responses were received from Tommy Wright, who will be the fourth candidate in the primary.

If one candidate wins more than half the votes cast Tuesday, that candidate will be the party’s nominee to face incumbent Mayor Laurence Leyens, an independent, on June 2. If no candidate receives more than half the votes cast Tuesday, there will be a runoff for the party nomination on May 19.

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1. Traffic citations by the Vicksburg Police Department have been criticized and praised in letters to the editor. What is your assessment of the department overall?

Gertrude Anderson Young: At this point and time I cannot make a valid assessment about the VPD or the traffic citations because it would all be based on hearsay. When I am elected mayor, I will do a thorough assessment not only of the police department but all city departments.

John Shorter: Many citizens of Vicksburg, including myself, believe new leadership in the police department is long overdue. Leadership that would prioritize major criminal acts with all the intensity the current administration prosecutes traffic offenses. Leadership that is trusted, credible and empathetic toward their community.

Paul Winfield: The Vicksburg Police Department is in need of improvement.  Under the current administration, the focus has been more profit driven, e.g. routine traffic stops resulting in thousands of arrests for fine collections, rather than solving crimes perpetrated against citizens of Vicksburg. According to current U.S. Census Bureau statistics, local crime rates exceed the national average in areas of murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, and arson, among others. As Mayor, I will work to reduce crime, by (1) hiring the right people to fill the right positions within the department and allow them to do their jobs; (2) putting more police officers on the streets by hiring civilians to do administrative tasks within the department; (3) reprioritizing our focus on the youth by attracting productive activities as an alternative to criminal behavior; (4) and, initiating community policing to improve relationships and restore trust in the department.  

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2. Largely due to gaming revenue, Vicksburg has perhaps the highest budget per-citizen of any city in the region. How should this city’s revenue advantages be used to better benefit the people who live here?

Young: Basically, in the past, the majority of the gaming revenue went into the general fund. I believe that some of the revenue needs to be geared specifically toward more youth and senior citizen activities and setting up more economic development projects, such as an incubator for small businesses.

Shorter: After paying off city debt for the three (not two) bonds and getting spending under control, I will push to substantially lower the water, natural gas and garbage bills. Additionally, I will push to reverse the for-profit operation of the recreation department involving the Aquila Group that owes the city $250,000. I will support hiring a full staff to offer youth and adult sport activities along with mentoring for the youth. I believe gaming revenue should be used to substantially reduce city utilities and to enhance life for all citizens.

Winfield: Reduced taxes, safer neighborhoods and improved city services are just a few benefits that should be afforded to all of our residents. The City of Vicksburg has received millions of dollars in form of tax revenues from the gaming industry. Unfortunately, the current administration has mostly spent city funds in certain areas of our community, while ignoring others. City revenues should benefit those who have located their homes and businesses in the limits.

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3. Are you satisfied with the working relationship between city and county governments? Do you have plans to change or increase combined services?

Young: I am not satisfied with the working relationship between the city and the county governments. I think the two governments should communicate more and work together. It is at the expense of the taxpayer when they do not work together. For example, the city has created an emergency management department, when we already have one that serves countywide. As a result, the city taxpayer is paying twice for the same service. I do think we should modify some of the services between the city and the county.

Shorter: No, I do not agree with their current working relationship. I will strive to achieve common ground on all issues. I currently see areas in the recreation department where a partnership of services would benefit the citizens of Vicksburg and the county.

Winfield: As the former Warren County board attorney, I know firsthand the relationship between the current administration and county officials.  It has been my observation that the current administration has failed to work effectively with the county on matters that would have directly benefited the city.  As a result, the city jeopardized ambulance and rescue services for county residents. I have an established relationship with the county supervisors. As mayor, I will work with county officials to identify opportunities to partner more with the county to benefit the citizens of Vicksburg.

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4. Please state your intentions about citizen access to meetings of city officials and public records maintained by the city, including police and fire investigations.

Young: I will abide by the state statute which says that a citizen is able to access meetings of city officials and public records unless it pertains to a real estate or personnel matter or an impending lawsuit.

Shorter: I support public access to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings, its citizens’ committee boards and the commissioner boards’ meetings. Written information to questions and transcripts should be at the lowest price possible, if not free. I will request that citizen rights be returned for the questioning of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on TV 23.

Winfield: My administration will fully comply with the Mississippi Open Meetings and Public Records Act.

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5. What is the future of NRoute?

Young: NRoute has become a model for the state of Mississippi. Over 90,000 trips have been provided since inception, which validates the need. As mayor, I know the system will always be subsidized, just as the convention center, but the values are in the economic tools they provide.

Shorter: NRoute is proving its value, but I do believe that the city board should provide a maximum level of subsidy allowed and a formula for determining the level. NRoute is part of that enhancement of life in Vicksburg.

Winfield: I support the NRoute transit system.  NRoute is an important tool for economic development because it provides our citizens, including the elderly and disabled, with the freedom of mobility to shop, play and work.  It also employs a number of our citizens.

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6. The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an $18.2 million bond issue in 2002 and a $16.9 million bond issue in 2007. Would you support another bond issue, and, if so, what projects might a bond issue be suitable for?

Young: No. I would not support another bond issue at this present time until our indebtedness is paid off so that we can maintain our AA rating and be able to borrow in case of an emergency.

Shorter: No! The bonds have not benefited the residents directly or indirectly. We cannot count street paving because street paving is part of ongoing maintenance service that should be budgeted and provided annually. The current and past administrations combined will have spent $60 million when you include emergency funds and the three bonds. The harm produced by the bonds for the residents of Vicksburg has been higher city debt, higher water, natural gas and garbage bills and inflated property values with no return on the $60 million. We should not allow that amount of spending without a return on the taxpayers’ money.

Winfield: I would consider supporting a bond issue for a worthy project or initiative, if there is support from the community. The most important question to ask is whether the bond issuance is in the best interests of the city. There are several projects that could be critical to the potential growth of our city such as a wastewater treatment facility or improvements to the current city water and sewer lines in underserved areas. These types of projects could significantly reduce the cost of construction and improve living conditions for our citizens. As mayor, I will be fiscally responsible when spending public money.

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7. Does Vicksburg need to annex? Will that happen during your term?

Young: The City of Vicksburg should not annex any more areas at the present time. We should focus on the areas annexed in 1990 in completing the tasks of bringing them up to the required standards as promised.

Shorter: No! An administration must first show that it can provide adequate services and affordable living for its current residents before the administration can consider annexing others. There is still a fire hydrant shortage, drainage problems and unsatisfactory emergency response time throughout the city.

Winfield: I do not believe an annexation would be feasible for our community’s future growth.  I do not anticipate an annexation during my administration. Rather, I will work to improve the condition of underserved areas that have already been annexed, like Kings and Warrenton.

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8. How would you complete the sentence, “Vicksburg’s most crucial challenge is …” Explain how you would meet that challenge.

Young: Vicksburg’s most crucial challenge is to maintain focus on its citizens. The citizens need to feel safe at all times, whether in their homes or when they move throughout the city. I plan to bring back neighborhood policing, the police explorers program or something similar which worked with the youth. I will have the officers check on the elderly as they did in the past and the firefighters checking the smoke alarms in the homes of the elderly, making sure that both the new police officers and firefighters are familiar with the people, our streets and neighborhoods. Employment for our citizens should also be a key focus, as well as entrepreneurship with small businesses. I will work on programs that would assist our citizens in cross-training for jobs and careers and to provide some type of business incubator as guidance for new business start-ups.

Shorter: I see Vicksburg’s most crucial challenge is making our hometown affordable and attractive to industry. The theory of affordable living is being played out every day. Companies move from the North to the South for affordable living, resulting in the companies paying lower wages. Companies move from the South to Mexico or China because of affordable living, resulting in lower wages. My goal is to stop the rhetoric of higher property values because you plant a tree or perform routine maintenance on your home and to substantially lower the city utilities (water and natural gas), resulting in affordable living for Vicksburg. Property values should rise when there is a combination of job growth and population growth, creating a demand for property (with the exception for remodeling or expansion of property). You cannot have one without the other. Sustainable property values and affordable water and natural gas bills will make the City of Vicksburg more attractive to companies, moreso than anything the past two administrations have done.

Winfield: Vicksburg’s most crucial challenge is to implement a progressive vision that will make our city a model community in the state and throughout the Southeast region.

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9. What should be on voters’ minds as they make their choice on election day?

Young: The most important issue that should be on a voter’s mind is who has the most experience to run a city, who is the most knowledgeable about city government and city ordinances and who wants a community where all people are included.

Shorter: The voters should ask themselves the following and vote accordingly: Which candidate best champions the needs of the people? Is the candidate talking about the issues or running a popularity contest? Did the candidate’s answers address your needs sufficiently? Is the candidate transverse and fair-minded in his or her thinking for the betterment of the city?

Winfield: The voters have a clear choice to make as we consider what direction to take our city. Voters should consider whether they want four more years of the same old policies from the current administration, that have clearly been exclusive rather than inclusive of all the citizens of Vicksburg. Vicksburg needs a mayor for the people. I offer a unique opportunity to empower all citizens to be a part of the growth and vision of Vicksburg. I will bring fresh ideas and an energized spirit to the mayor’s position coupled with a solid track record in working with and respecting people despite their differences.