With the Natchez mayor’s race now narrowed to three people, voters have three weeks to decide which candidate can lead our city into the future.

On Monday night, we will have a chance to see just what the candidates think about the major issues &045;&045; such as economic development and infrastructure &045;&045; at a forum sponsored by the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce. The forum will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn.

This is a great opportunity for voters to meet the candidates and hear their views in person. Republican Sue Stedman and independent Richard Branyan, in particular, have been keeping a low profile during the Democratic primary, so this may be one of the first opportunities for voters to get to know them.

The mayor’s race now offers three candidates with varied experience and varied ideas for the future of our community.

Each of them has valuable qualities that can help Natchez succeed, and they deserve to have their ideas heard by the voters.

Many of us know one or all of the candidates but may not have heard their platform or their answers to questions about jobs, water rates, leadership qualities, experience, road work, drainage … the list goes on.

We encourage voters to attend Monday night’s forum to learn more about Phillip West, Stedman and Branyan. Also on hand will be Ward 3 candidates Bob Pollard and D.D. Smith, who are competing for the one open seat on the board of aldermen.

All of us need to vote in the June 8 general election. But we also need to make informed votes.