New administration takes city reins|[7/06/05]

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Other than a deep, booming voice coming from the new North Ward alderman, the first meeting of the Vicksburg’s new board Tuesday was little different than in the past four years.

Michael Mayfield, who speaks in resonant bass tones, cast his first official votes since defeating Gertrude Young in May’s Democratic Primary and winning the June general election.

Mayfield, who was elected three times as Warren County’s District 2 supervisor, was starting a four-year municipal term, joined by Mayor Laurence Leyens and South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman, both starting second terms.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

Young was also at the meeting, but did not participate other than when asked by Leyens if she knew about property being advertised for bids by the city.

Appointment of the five city officers as required in the city charter plus filling a few other posts was on the agenda. All votes were unanimous to renew the terms of the city clerk, city attorney, municipal judge, police chief and fire chief.

The board also voted on appointments including deputy chiefs of both the fire and police department, the deputy city clerk, city prosecutors, municipal court clerks and other judges.

Mayfield later said he was pleased with his first day on the job.

“I was expecting the agenda to be much more involved, but I have no false illusions that it won’t be more involved next meeting,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield said he will spend the next week meeting with various city department heads, learning more about their jobs. He said he hopes to meet with North Ward neighborhood associations over the next few months. Next week, he will also travel to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the Mississippi Municipal League annual conference.

Leyens agreed that the first meeting went well and that Mayfield would get up to speed with city government quickly.

“He seems to be very interested in learning everything as soon as possible,” Leyens said.