Mayoral candidate Charles Selmon says he wants to create a new city department that would teach local residents how to get government contracts.

“What that would do is keep the citizens of Vicksburg first,” Selmon said.

His comments were made before about 25 members of the Port City Kiwanis Club meeting Thursday. He was the last of the seven candidates seeking the $73,500-a-year post to pitch his candidacy to the group.

Now serving his third term as the supervisor from Warren County’s District 3, Selmon, 44, is seeking the Democratic nomination and will face former Warren County District 2 Supervisor John Ferguson, 63; Eric Rawlings, 42, who ran unsuccessfully for the nomination four years ago; and first-time office seeker John Shorter, 38, in the May 3 primary election.

The winner will face Republican Shirley Newman Smollen, 69, and independent candidates Mayor Laurence Leyens, 40, and former Mayor Joe Loviza, 65, in the June 7 general election.

It was Selmon’s current post as the county supervisor for the only district entirely inside the city limits that brought a question from club member Jim Stirgus Jr., and lead to an exchange between the two men.

When asked about county work done inside District 3, Selmon pointed to the library, courthouse repairs and county-sponsored soil and conservation projects. He suggested that Stirgus should have been aware of that work. “Obviously, you haven’t done your research,” Selmon said.

“Don’t insult my intelligence, sir,” Stirgus replied. “If I want to I could insult your intelligence, tool, so don’t go there.”

“Well, I knew I was in the lion’s den,” Selmon added.

The previous day, Selmon had commented that the club’s invitation was a “setup” before “Leyens’ supporters.”

Selmon also told the group that if elected he plans to lower city taxes, change how law enforcement police the city and create an entertainment district in the downtown area.

“If Vicksburg is going to be prosperous, we must have an entertainment district,” he said.

“When people go to New Orleans they want to go to the French Quarter and when they go to Memphis they go to Beale Street, but where is there to go in Vicksburg? There’s nothing,” Selmon said.

He also promoted the ideas of creating youth centers and senior day-care centers.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination in next month’s primary election will be candidates in the North and South wards.

In the North Ward primary, incumbent Gertrude Young, 49, is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by Warren County District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield, 47, and Rodney Dillamar, 45, a convenience store owner.

Independent candidates in that race are city employee Vickie Bailey, 37, and construction worker Tommie Rawlings, 42. The only Republican in that race is Carl Yelverton, 58, a security guard at a local casino.

In the South Ward, former Vicksburg police officer DaVon Grey, 46, and local hair dresser Pam Johnson, 39, are seeking the nomination and a chance to challenge incumbent Sid Beauman, 57, a Republican seeking his second term. There are no independent candidates in that race.