In our representative democracy, most elected offices are not lifetime appointments.

Even as much as some leaders may provide consistent, effective governance over multiple terms, the introduction of new energy and a fresh perspective is vital to the overall health of the community.

When maintaining the status quo becomes more important than stepping away from the crowd and offering bold leadership when necessary, we think change is warranted.

In the races for Adams County Board of Supervisors, we place our support behind Wes Middleton in District 1 and Warren Gaines in District 5.

In District 1, we think Middleton offers a new perspective needed on the board.

Take recreation for example. 

Nearly a decade has passed since 78.5% of voters cast ballots in a non-binding referendum on recreation. Since then, local leaders have fallen well-short of the vision of a multi-sports complex described 10 years ago. Having seen first-hand the results of the recreation efforts of Brookhaven, Vicksburg and surrounding communities in the last decade, we still think such a comprehensive recreation complex is much needed in Natchez and think Middleton has the vision to make it happen.

Recreation is just one issue in which voters expect and deserve the leadership of supervisors, but we have not gotten it.

We applaud incumbent Mike Lazarus for the work he’s done for his district during the last 12 years.

It is time for a fresh approach that we think Middleton will bring on recreation, education, economic development and a host of other issues facing county residents. We need strong, urgent leadership and we are counting on Middleton to provide that.

For similar reasons, we put our support behind Gaines.

A lifelong Adams County resident, Gaines has a wealth of knowledge, having worked as the maintenance foreman for the county and worked with mechanical equipment for 28 years. He has a degree in business administration and is currently the instructor of diesel technology at the Natchez campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community college since 2011.

Like Middleton, Gaines is committed to improving recreation and the reintroduction of a vocational program in the local schools to improve the county workforce. 

We feel these candidates will champion issues important to all residents of Adams County and will lead the way to necessary change on the Adams County Board of Supervisors.