Natchez Mayor Fires Back at Critics: ‘Put Up or Shut Up’
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson delivered a blistering rebuke to online critics during his recent report to the city board, challenging detractors to match his administration’s efforts with constructive action rather than constant negativity. “Put up or shut up,” Gibson said, his frustration evident as he addressed the persistent social media criticism that has dogged his administration. “I don’t see anybody online right now putting up. All they’re doing is criticizing the ones who are.” The mayor’s remarks followed a series of positive announcements about economic development in the historic Mississippi River city, signaling that while progress continues, the public discourse around it has grown increasingly contentious.
Gibson’s frustration came to a head amid what he described as a pattern of dishonesty and cowardice among those who hide behind anonymous online personas to attack the city’s leadership. “I’m tired of the liars, and I’m tired of people who hide behind — you’re a coward hiding behind a computer just to get clicks,” he declared, his voice carrying the weight of months of accumulated irritation. “Get a life. The rest of us have one. It’s time for you to get one, too.” The outburst was not isolated but rather the culmination of ongoing tensions between the mayor’s office and a vocal segment of the community that has used social media platforms to question the administration’s performance and decision-making. Gibson made clear that his patience had worn thin and that he was no longer willing to remain silent in the face of what he considers unwarranted attacks on the city’s progress.
Prior to his pointed remarks, Gibson had laid out a series of developments that he argued demonstrate sustained investment in Natchez, beginning with the American Cruise Lines dock project, a significant undertaking poised to transform the city’s riverfront and boost its tourism economy. The mayor also highlighted a proposed commercial development north of Walmart, a project that has generated considerable buzz in the community as new retail and dining options are expected to fill a gap in the city’s offerings. Additionally, Gibson pointed to continued investment in the city’s airport, an asset that small cities across the nation struggle to maintain but which Natchez has prioritized as essential to its economic future. These projects, Gibson suggested, form the foundation of a broader revival that critics have either ignored or dismissed.
The mayor’s report also turned to a pressing concern: the city’s commercial air service, which he urged residents to support as the airline faces headwinds from traditionally slower summer travel and rising fuel prices. Gibson acknowledged the challenges but delivered an encouraging update, revealing that SkyWest officials have told city leaders that fall bookings are already beginning to improve. “We are so grateful for it,” Gibson said of the airline service, his tone shifting from frustration to appreciation. “And so, folks, support your city, support our airplane.” The mayor’s plea underscored the precarious nature of small-market air service, which frequently teeters on the edge of viability when passenger numbers dip or operational costs climb. He emphasized that the city plans to pursue additional state and federal support for the airport, saying, “We have a great team, a lot to celebrate there,” as he outlined a strategy to secure the service’s long-term stability.
On the economic development front, Gibson announced that the city is nearing completion of an easement agreement with Walmart that would provide access through the company’s parking lot to the proposed commercial development north of the retail giant. The agreement, once finalized, would remove a significant logistical hurdle and pave the way for construction on the site. “The list of parties who are coming there is growing,” Gibson said, his enthusiasm unmistakable despite the earlier tension in his report. “We’re getting excited about new businesses coming to Natchez,” he added, noting that the site has attracted interest from companies that were unable to find space in the nearby Tracetown commercial area. In a defiant flourish aimed at his skeptics, Gibson promised, “Go ahead, doubt that too. We’ll rub it in your face when we announce it,” a statement that drew a mix of laughter and applause from those in attendance.
Throughout his report, the mayor’s broader message remained consistent: Natchez is making progress, and that progress deserves recognition rather than constant undermining. Gibson said the social media criticism he seeks to counter does not reflect the reality of the city’s trajectory, and he framed his comments as a necessary corrective to a narrative he believes is driven by clicks rather than facts. “I just have to call people out on it because I’m tired of seeing it,” he said. “And a lot of other people are too.” His remarks have since reverberated through the community, prompting both support and pushback, but Gibson appears undeterred. For the mayor, the stakes extend beyond personal satisfaction — they concern the collective morale of a city that has weathered economic challenges for decades. As Natchez awaits the completion of the Walmart easement agreement, the arrival of new businesses, the continued operation of its airport, and the realization of the riverfront dock project, Gibson’s challenge to critics carries a clear implication: progress will happen with or without the approval of those who watch from behind their screens, and the eventual results will speak for themselves.
