NATCHEZ — The candidates can talk all they want, but many residents of Adams County just want three topics addressed — jobs, education and taxes.

And when voters go to the polls Aug. 7, those three issues will be top of mind, several voters said.

Adams County resident Candace Green hasn’t decided for whom she’ll vote. That will depend on how candidates plan to bring in jobs, she said.

“We should have more places to work,” Green said. “There aren’t enough jobs or places to hang out.”

Candace’s sister, Tamara, was visiting her sister over the weekend. Tamara Green used to live in Adams County but had to move to find a job.

“There’s nowhere to work here,” Tamara Green said. “I live in Washington (state), now, because there’s no place for engineers to work (in Natchez).”

Adams County resident Shelia Jackson said in her mind, education and jobs were linked. Without an educated workforce and good schools for employees’ children, industries would not look at the Miss-Lou.

“We’ve got to give (industries) an incentive to come,” Jackson said. “Once one does come, it might be good for community colleges and universities in the area to train people for what they need.”

The issue hits close to home for Jackson, who has grandchildren she’d like to see stay in the area once they finish school.

“I’d like to see my family stay,” she said. “Unless things change, I don’t know if even I can stay.”

Adams County voters will be selecting five county supervisors and a circuit clerk, sheriff, coroner, tax assessor, tax collector, justice court judges, constable, county attorney and state representatives and senator. The election is one of the area’s largest in recent years with approximately 40 candidates on the ballot.

Some candidates have attended a local political forum, and others are campaigning door-to-door to discuss the issues.

Lifelong Natchez resident JoeAnne Hicks said she’d like to see the county entice potential industries with improved education and transportation.

“I think they ought to put more emphasis on the river for transportation,” Hicks said. “And I believe in term limits. I definitely think we need some fresh blood.”

Two words sum up how Roy Anderson, a Natchez resident selects who he’ll vote for: track record.

“I see if they’ve proved themselves in office,” Anderson said. “That’s basically how I decide.”

For those without a history in office, Anderson discusses the issue with friends and family members.

Not only does he want candidates to address the issues while running, he wants them to follow through.

“I like to see them follow up on their promises,” he said. “If they try to, at least. I don’t want them to forget about us (residents), and three or four years, try again.”