Meet the candidate – Natalie Lynch

The following information is provided by the candidate.

Natalie Lynch became a Hernando resident in 2003 when she married her husband, Josh, a longtime resident with deep family roots here. Josh is well known as the Santa on top of the firetruck in the annual Krewe of Hernando Santa Caravan each year.

As a newlywed, she immediately became involved in her new community taking on leadership responsibilities again and again. As a 2004 graduate of the Leadership DeSoto program, Natalie developed a great appreciation for the rapid growth, the challenges, and the potential of her county and particularly her city.

In 2019, she worked to secure funding from her church, Hernando United Methodist, to provide our city with the Community Christmas tree on the Square. As a member of the Hernando Young Women’s Club, she also helped secure the colorful ornaments and the star topper for the tree. From 2016 to 2019, she worked alongside fellow members of the club on a project that brought great and needed improvements to the playground at Church Park. The club, with support from local businesses, artists, and residents, assisted in the planning and supplied the funding for the bathrooms, pavilion, and new play structures.

Natalie has served in numerous roles at Hernando United Methodist Church volunteering for the Backpack Angels program, the Finance Committee, the Children’s Ministry, Preschool and the Adult Choir Christmas cantata each year. Now a Life Member and Past President of the Junior Auxiliary of DeSoto County, Natalie was active from 2004 to 2011 serving the needs of the children of DeSoto County. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Hernando Civic Garden Club where she helps to fulfil the club’s purpose to “improve and beautify this naturally lovely old town.”

Natalie currently serves as Alderman for Ward One. Prior to becoming an alderman, she served as the Planning Commissioner for Ward One the previous three years. She was selected as the 2019 Citizen of the Year by the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce.

Natalie maintains a small business of her own keeping books for several local clients as well as for several out of state clients. Her proudest work accomplishment is her clients manage their resources wisely.

A lifelong Mississippian, Natalie is a native of Meridian, a graduate of Jackson Academy in Jackson and an alumnus of the University of Mississippi where she received both amissi bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the School of Accountancy. She was a member of Chi Omega social sorority and was inducted into several honor societies including Phi Eta Sigma, Golden Key, and Beta Gamma Sigma. She was also recognized in Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

Josh and Natalie have two sons, Evan and Henry, a rescue dog, Scout, and two cats, Pete, and Bob. The boys attend school at Hernando High and Hernando Middle School. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, sewing, baking, traveling, and balancing her family’s monthly budget!

Small Town Charm

Hernando is a unique and distinct town in DeSoto County.  Our small-town charm and character are exemplified in the downtown Square area and Commerce Street corridor.  Our many local events and festivals cultivate our sense of community.  Most people move to Hernando for the quality of life it brings, excellent public schools, and a peaceful environment.  My goal is to build on our existing assets to perpetuate and enhance our community spirit and a strong sense of place.  Aesthetics play an important role in the charm that we all love and enjoy.  Strengthening our current parks, streets, and other public areas is what our city can do and our residents deserve.  A well-maintained city with quality amenities promotes economic growth, protects property values, and increases the community’s overall well-being.  Enjoyable experiences along with a charming environment are benefits enjoyed by both longtime residents and visitors to Hernando.

Strategic Growth

The tremendous growth of Hernando requires considerable thought for our future.  With this growth, we need strategic planning and sufficient infrastructure.  Zoning ordinances, quality design standards, roadways, water systems, and public safety are necessary components of planning decisions.  In formulating our upcoming Comprehensive Plan, we should review existing regulations and codes for necessity while critically developing future land use.  Hernando should be a city that is attractive to business owners by being competitive with the surrounding areas.  Our government should facilitate a business-friendly environment.  Local businesses foster the economy and bring in sales tax dollars for our town to finance infrastructure needs.  

Finances

Maintaining a balanced budget is imperative to running any city.  A fiscally sound government is able to provide its citizens with needed facilities, infrastructure, and services.  A city budget helps to establish annual goals.  Regular budget updates will provide the roadmap for establishing our goals as efficiently and transparently as possible.  We should work to reduce the balance of loans as quickly as possible by paying off loans before the scheduled time.  Hernando needs a boost in our Contingency Fund to be ready if and when unforeseen events or emergencies arise.

“As Alderman of Ward One, I will continue to serve Hernando’s city and residents by working to maintain our small-town charm, strategically planning for growth, and maintaining a balanced budget. I will continue to work with my fellow Aldermen, Mayor, and the city departments in a respectful way, listening to all sides and making well-informed decisions. My faith in God guides my life, and I will represent Ward One and all of the citizens of Hernando on that foundation.”

Please visit my campaign Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lynchforalderman or my website, www.aldermanwardone.com.  Thank you!

This is a paid political advertisement paid for by the candidate.  

Note: Primary Election Day is April 6. Voting hours are from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. To learn where to vote, visit the DeSoto County website at https://bit.ly/3f8mAVh or call 662-469-8007.