NATCHEZ &045;&045; Candidates for Adams County offices spoke about saving money, attracting industry and possibility consolidating the city and county at a political forum Thursday.

With just more than a week before the Nov. 4 election, both candidates for the sheriff’s post and one candidate each for the supervisor District 1 and 2 and coroner spoke to chamber members at the Eola Hotel.

Democrat Ronny Brown and incumbent Republican Tommy Ferrell discussed their law enforcement experience and crime rates. Brown told the audience he wants to see Adams County attract more industry &045;&045; and that keeping crime low can help attract jobs.

&uot;We’ve got to get people in here to look at jobs,&uot; he said.

In response to a question from the audience, Brown denied that he has blamed the closing of International Paper and other plants on high crime. &uot;It’s probably kept us from getting jobs,&uot; he said. Brown also said he has 28 years of experience in probation and parole work.

Ferrell cited his 34 years of law enforcement experience, which includes various capacities in the sheriff’s department as well as working in the military police branch of the National Guard.

Ferrell and Brown have apparently different opinions on the crime rate in Adams County. Basing his opinion on grand jury indictment statistics, Brown has repeatedly said during his campaign that crime is on the rise.

Ferrell, though, said that while drug crime is the most prevalent problem in Adams County, the crime rate is actually decreasing. &uot;Crime is the lowest it’s been in decades,&uot; he said. Brown said he supports consolidation of services in the city and county but not law enforcement. Ferrell said he supports complete consolidation.

District 1

Incumbent Republican Sammy Cauthen was the only candidate for District 1 supervisor at the forum. He is running against Democrat Jerry Lyles. Cauthen said experience is important to the role of supervisor. He cited his business experience as well as his experience as an elected official, noting he has the &uot;lobbying pull to secure more grant funding for county projects.&uot;

Cauthen said he had not voted for a tax increase until this year, when supervisors approved a half-mill increase to help keep the county port open. Attracting new industry is one of the most important ways the county can raise its tax base, Cauthen said, citing three prospects currently looking at the county, although he could not give details. Cauthen said he is &uot;100 percent for&uot; consolidation of Natchez and Adams County.

District 2

Republican Brad Fondren, the only District 2 candidate at the forum, told the audience about his experience running a business and his desire to see &uot;positive things happening.&uot;

Fondren is running against Democrat Henry Watts, who was not at the forum. Both are running to replace Virginia Salmon, who lost in the primary. &uot;I’m running for supervisor because I want to be a part of progress in Adams County,&uot; Fondren said. &uot;I don’t want to be part of the naysayers.&uot;

Fondren said he wants to see more study done on consolidation, although he did say he supports what can &uot;bring everybody together as one.&uot;

&uot;There’s a lot more to it than just deciding in two weeks,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m not sure exactly how it should be set up.&uot;

Coroner

Independent John Pullen spoke about the need to decrease spending in the coroner’s office. His opponent, incumbent Democrat James Lee, was not at the forum.

Pullen cited a number of cost increases between the current and previous coroner’s offices and said he would try to cut those expenses. &uot;If I spend $17,264 on telephones you can come kick me in the butt,&uot; he said.