Mayor Laurence Leyens’ participation in his final board of mayor and aldermen meeting Thursday lasted just 10 minutes, during which he watched a short video montage from his family, gave a brief speech and then left the business to be conducted by North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield and South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman.

Leyens’ wife, Shelley, and their three children attended the meeting, with the couple’s 2-year-old son, Corey, sitting on Leyens’ knee as he spoke on the city’s cable TV channel for the last time as mayor. A number of city employees attended the meeting to see Leyens off, but his goodbyes were brief and he left the meeting after encouraging residents to participate in local governance and support mayor-elect Paul Winfield.

“I want to congratulate Paul Winfield, and I hope the community will support him,” Leyens said. “I hope he can stand on my shoulders and take the next step forward for this community.”

Winfield, who bested Leyens with 61.6 percent of the 6,876 votes cast on June 2, will be inaugurated on July 3 and conduct his first meeting as mayor on July 7. Leyens was elected to his first term in 2001 in his first bid for public office, beating two-time mayor Robert Walker with a pledge to clean up the city and the police department. In 2004, the independent won a second term over Democratic challenger Charles Selmon, a member of the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

“I leave behind some very major pending projects, and I hope Mr. Winfield will continue to support these projects,” Leyens said, citing the Washington Street bridge replacement, Clay Street paving project, Fisher Ferry recreational facility and ongoing renovations and expansions at the Vicksburg Municipal Airport as just some examples.

Additionally, Leyens had been courting a private firm to bring a $60 million defense testing facility to Vicksburg and was working to bring three agencies — the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vicksburg-Warrren Chamber of Commerce and Vicksburg Main Street Program — together in residency at the Levee Street Depot. Numerous other private development plans also were in the works.

Beauman, who took office the same year as Leyens and has voted with the mayor on nearly all issues, also kept his public remarks brief on Leyens’ leaving office.

“I’m not going to talk much because I know I’ll get emotional,” Beauman said, his voice wavering ever so slightly, “but you’re a good friend and I love you.” 

Mayfield offered no public comment on Leyens’ departure during the meeting, and while the mayor remarked on the pleasure of serving with Beauman, he did not say the same about Mayfield — who has served on the board since 2005. As for Leyens’ future, he’s still mulling over his options.

“I am excited about my future, although I’m not sure about what the path is going to be,” he said.

Leyens has a business administration and marketing background, and has worked on several redevelopment projects in Vicksburg before and since becoming mayor. Reached following Thursday’s meeting, Leyens said he’s still considering jobs in and out of Vicksburg.

“I’ve got resumes out all over the country, and I’ve been offered a very good job here,” he said. “I kind of want to ease into it so I can make the right decision.”   

During his time in office, Leyens will likely be best remembered as a champion of downtown redevelopment and for his beautification efforts at the city’s main thoroughfares and corridors. He also advanced TV23 coverage of city meetings and events, which was initiated during the Walker administration, and worked to make significant infrastructure improvements at many city facilities. In his failed bid for a third term, Leyens admitted he knew many residents had grown to dislike him personally, but maintained most would admit the city was prospering during his tenure. 

After wrapping up, Leyens scooped up his son and thanked those who had come to see him off before leading his family out of the meeting.

“I wish you all the best of luck,” he said as he passed out the boardroom doors. 

*

Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com