Ford: Vicksburg’s most important asset is its citizens. Secondly, its assets are the national military park and Civil War history, the antebellum homes, the riverfront and the overall uniqueness of the city as a whole.

I plan to work toward improvement of the relationships in the community by including the opinions and suggestions of city residents. Restore riverfront boat rides for amusement and educational activity. Improve the riverbank to a more pleasant scenic view. Develop plans for family entertainment and recreation on the riverbanks for seasonal activities. Utilize city resources for investment and restoration. Improve sewage drainage to limit and control the hillsides from washing and sliding.

Leyens: Vicksburg has many tremendous assets including the park, the river, its people and history, the Corps of Engineers, WES and the MRC, as well as its superb location and demographic makeup. However, the most valuable, a multibillion-dollar, asset of Vicksburg, is simply the name Vicksburg. Vicksburg holds a unique position in our nation’s history, and as such, the name is well known and its mention automatically generates an understanding of our history and a vision of what can be found here. As a community, we simply need to offer a value proposition to draw people into our economic model. Try selling Rolling Fork, or Jackson for that matter, to someone in Iowa! These cities are unknown commodities there.

Tourism is the largest industry in the world today, and probably Vicksburg’s greatest opportunity for growth. As a community, we need to understand that based on current visitation we could grow our economy significantly by simply understanding the value of tourism and inviting our guests to spend their money freely here in our area. This will create many new jobs!

Loviza: Our most important asset is our citizens. When I was mayor, I utilized approximately 250 citizens for monthly input to our city’s operation. I favor citizen input at all levels with all sharing in “pride, promise and prosperity.”

Other great assets include the Mississippi, Yazoo and Big Black rivers, with bridge, which I will promote and expedite in business, recreation, environment. I-20, U.S. 61, U.S. 80, Mississippi 27, Mississippi 3, Kansas City Southern Railroad and airports bring commerce. “Where river, rail, highway and air meet” explains many great assets. We must utilize all to move Vicksburg and Warren County forward. With an abundance of power, a good work ethic, churches, good climate, good school system, many natural resources and outstanding recreational opportunities, good government must provide leadership, culture, health and safety.

Walker: Vicksburg’s most important asset is her people. However, this asset has been manipulated into a negative force instead of a positive force one that focuses on seeking division rather than healing. My plan, that is already in motion, is to have an official Vicksburg Commission on Race and Human Relations, whose charge will be to explore and implement actions that will create an environment that fosters respect and cooperation among various factions and progress for all.

Question 14. Who are your personal heroes in public life? Why?

Ford: Mrs. Rosa Parks. Mrs. Parks is greatly admired and respected by me due to her strong will. She knew something was broken and needed fixing. She was courageous and determined with perseverance. Her simple gestures to bring about changes identified her as a woman of integrity whose intent was only to make a difference. I salute Mrs. Rosa Parks.

Leyens: I don’t idolize people or try to emulate any one person, so I’ve never adopted a “personal hero” if you will. There are many people that I admire for various reasons, and while I might think about their experiences and analyze how they dealt with them, I couldn’t name one so significant as to provide insight into who I am. However, Vicksburg needs real heroes who put our community first, attempt to maintain the highest level of ethics, offer real leadership, integrity and accountability. This is the key to a strong, equitable and predictable future.

Loviza: Pope John Paul II, because he forgave his enemies and relates well to all the people of our world. Rosie Green, my black friend, because she handled family with pride and worked hard without complaining. She shared what she had and believed in the power of prayer. She was always a lady. Mable Harris Loviza, my mother, because she raised six children, ran a grocery store, made biscuits every morning at 5 a.m. and loved God. She played the piano and sang by ear and smiled happily 94 years.

Walker: On a very personal level, my mother, father, and wife are my personal heroes. However, in public life, Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Fred L. Banks, Jr., and University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat are two of my public heroes. I admire and respect them for their honesty, integrity, courage and commitment to do the right thing.

Question 15: Looking back four years from now, what do you hope to be able to say that you and your fellow city board members accomplished?

Ford: To be able to look back and see changes in the community with a cohesive working relationship among city employees, a decrease in empty buildings and vacant lots, more industries with available jobs for young qualified adults, more sidewalks installed and streets repaired, less trash and debris in the streets, no weed fields downtown, unity in preservation of the city resources, less complaining about the city’s problems from those who moved into the county, more people on the city payroll who live in the city and a relocation of families into the city limits resulting in an increase in population.

Leyens: My personal goal and measurement for success is quite simple. At the end of four years of true public service, when the community looks to the next campaign season and asks who is the best-qualified applicant to lead, if they look to the 10-year plan that our community has built during my time in office instead of looking at “what’s in it for me” or “is she or he my friend” or “what is his or her skin color” then I will have succeeded. I want to build a plan with this community and for this community that everyone wants to drive forward. Vicksburg needs to be run like a business in a fair and thoughtful way to ensure economic growth, and in such a way that everyone can see, understand, and benefit from its administration. Good government comes from the community not from City Hall! We need no secrets, but active participation from the incredible talent in our community to ensure our success.

Loviza: I envision a softball complex, a sportsman’s showcase, and a farmers’ market. I hope to see a 20 percent decrease in property taxes and decreased utility fees. In addition, I believe we will have a cleaner, safer city with smiles abundant. With a good attitude and prayer, all things are possible. Working together, we can come together as a community interested in improving ourselves and sharing in “pride, promise and prosperity.”

Walker: Obviously, I want to be able to say that I served well, that I kept my focus on the big picture, and that my fellow elected officials and I were good stewards of the public trust and contributed to making Vicksburg an even better place to live, work and raise a family. And that these things, especially the latter, were realized because progress was made in the area of human relations and interactions due to the example and actions of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the community at large.