Rawlings: We all must realize that job discrimination occurs every day in our country. However, I believe that hiring practices in Vicksburg for the most part have been fair and impartial. I read a recent article in the New Times newspaper that states that our white citizens in local government are in positions that pay 30 percent more than our black citizens in local government. I would like to see this statistic leveled, so long as everyone considered for the higher-paying positions is qualified. However, I do not see a need for affirmative action in Vicksburg. Nevertheless, I would seek consultation from a federal EEOC agent before making an official determination. I am in favor of contract plans that would ensure that minorities will receive fair and impartial opportunities to win contracts for city business.

Walker: Although the City of Vicksburg does not have an affirmative action plan or a minority set-aside plan, many of the contracts that are awarded by the city that use state or federal funding do require the minority set-asides, such as the Halls Ferry Road project. The city does have an Equal Employment Opportunity Plan which identifies the area of underutilization of females, both black and white, in various categories. The city strives to actively recruit qualified black and white females by working closely with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, Hinds Community College and other groups. When completing projects with federal or state money that requires set-asides, the city hires a consultant to monitor the set-aside program or the State of Mississippi, through its program, monitors the program. To do this with all city contracts would be very expensive and time-consuming.

Question 8: In February 1998, a 2-1 vote by city officials directed the closure of Vicksburg Municipal Airport effective March 31 of that year. If, after taking office, the new city board is called on to vote again on closing Vicksburg Municipal, how will you vote? Why?

Rawlings: I would vote not to close the Vicksburg Municipal Airport for two simple reasons: I don’t want Vicksburg to lose any tax revenue to Tallulah, and I believe in taking care of home. The businessmen who want to keep the airport open are Vicksburg residents who employ some 1,500 workers. These workers, in turn, spend their hard-earned dollars in Vicksburg. The city is also benefitting from lease space and fuel sales at the VMA. Vicksburg cannot benefit from the money being spent in Tallulah. The next administration can put an end to the excessive spending in legal fees for litigation over the airport.

Walker: I was one of the two elected officials who voted to close the Vicksburg Municipal Airport in February 1998 so that the City of Vicksburg could be one of the four partners supporting a modern airport that would meet our current and future needs. I will vote the same way, if the matter comes up again. I would do so because the Vicksburg Tallulah Airport is modern, safe, it is eligible for FAA funding, it is more cost-effective paying one-fourth of the local share, and it would open the current municipal airport property to businesses and jobs.

Question 9: What would you do that’s not being done now to improve the appearance of the City of Vicksburg?

Rawlings: As one of the gateways to our city, the Kings community could stand to be improved at much greater lengths. Areas such as Riviera Heights and Ford subdivision could also be considered for improvements. I would like to see the city and residents of these areas working hand-in-hand to enhance the image of the community. Emphasis would be placed on trimming back bushy areas, road paving, sidewalk curbs, drainage, stabilization of hills to protect against mudslides and landscaping. Some or all of these services should also be implemented in the South Ward. Organizations such as Keep Vicksburg Beautiful are vital to the success of any effort to enhance the image of Vicksburg, so I support and recommend the formation of organizations like this one.

Walker: We have made great strides in improving the appearance of Vicksburg over the last few years through realignments, scheduling, the addition of code enforcement officers, and stricter enforcement of city codes. I would like to see more equipment, at least two additional employees in street cleaning, inspection, litter abatement and landscaping. This will require a greater budget allocation in these areas, but it would be worth it.

Question 10: In 2000, water, sewer, and garbage collection rates were increased drastically to bring them more in line with the city’s actual costs for these services. These increases offset a multimillion-dollar supplement being paid from the general fund. Should consumers pay the actual costs of city utilities or should there be cost sharing, as was practiced previously, to limit bills of those less able to pay?

Rawlings: It is known that many of our citizens are on fixed incomes, or they are living from check to check, so why should any more financial burdens be placed on them, or any other class of citizens? I support this cost sharing by the city. That is one of the reasons why the casinos were brought into Vicksburg. I believe that if the money is there, then it should be used to ease the burdens of the taxpaying citizens in our communities. I also believe that a special fund should be set aside for those who cannot afford the high energy costs we are currently experiencing. If money could be funneled in from the private sector and grants, then we could provide such a service, while at the same time, allow for some relief to the general fund.

Walker: Residential, commercial and industrial fees for water, gas, sewer and garbage collection charged by the City of Vicksburg are already less expensive than they would be if provided by a private firm or other public entities. Users of these services should pay the full cost of these services. On the other hand, I support continuing exercising the discretion we used when we allocated $2.7 million of surplus gas funds to keep the cost of natural gas affordable during extremely cold winter months when suppliers raised their cost. Everyone, residential and businesses, benefitted from this. Once we have completed the task of separating gaming monies from the regular general fund (the practice of combining gaming monies with all other monies in the general fund was started by the previous administration) and putting them in a separate account for one-time expenditures, I would be willing to use some casino funds to make the cost of some essential services more affordable. There is no guarantee that this could continue indefinitely, however.