Ironically, the fate of a proposed prison in Adams County may well rest in the hands of voters a couple of counties away.

Pike County voters head to the polls today to decide whether or not to give a blessing to the proposed prison which has options to build in Pike, Adams and Walthall counties.

Today’s election, however, may ultimately decide more than just the fate of a prison.

Private prison developer Corrections Corporation of America wants to put a sizable investment — $90 million and 300 jobs — in one of the three counties.

A small group in Adams County is attempting to send the matter to a vote here, too. Their deadline for having enough signatures on their petition is a week from today.

If the prison is ultimately lost to Pike or Walthall counties, Adams County voters won’t quickly forget which county politicians talk the talk about jobs and which ones walk the walk.

A few of our county leaders had the guts to stand up and say, “We need this, and we should all support it.”

Unfortunately, a few more hid behind the seemingly safe guise of seeking to let the voters decide the issue, regardless of whether doing so would, by timing, nix the deal.

The people did decide. They decided to vote for political leadership not afraid to stand up and make the tough calls even if doing so upsets some of their constituents.

Let’s hope the Pike County voters say, “No” to the prison so Adams County can say, “Yes” to the jobs and investment it would bring. Otherwise, the loss of the prison could affect the next county election — one way or the other.