The initial date for the grand opening of the Village of Natchez town hall had to be moved due to impending severe weather. That move proved fortuitous as a standing room only crowd of citizens, civic leaders and supporters enjoyed perfect Autumn weather to dedicate the newly constructed Natchez town hall.  The new hall will boast 1,400 square feet of space and will house the mayor’s, clerk’s, and chief of police’s offices. There will also be a conference room for village business and public meetings. The building, financed by state capital outlays, cost approximately $189,000.00 to construct.

Former State Senator Louie Bernard, who was instrumental in obtaining the building’s funding, served as the Master of Ceremonies. The Reverend Ed Johnson delivered the opening invocation after which Alderwoman Shelia Johnson welcomed the attendees. Mrs. Earnestine Armstrong performed a gospel solo, followed by an introduction of elected officials. The officials attending ranged from representatives from Senator Kennedy and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to Sheriff Wright, Mayor Williams of Natchitoches, Parish Councilman Wayne Halm, Assessor Tim Page, School Board Members Emile Metoyer and Lela Harvey and Representative Jason Dewitt. The mayors of Ville Platte, Boyce and Woodworth also attended, showing the strong support of the Louisiana Municipal Association.

Mayor Patsy Ward Hoover was joined by several of her staff and fellow elected officials in cutting the ribbon that officially opened the town hall for business. The new town hall is more than a replacement for its decrepit predecessor, it is a symbol of dignity, persistence and progress.