How much does the county have in its trust fund?

No, I am not talking about the county’s current financial standing.

When I think of county’s trust fund, I think of the what I call their “emotional bank account” — that reserve fund every relationship has, including the relationship between county leaders and residents.

Like a financial account, an emotional bank account is one where deposits are made and funds are withdrawn regularly, but instead of money the deposits are all about trust and respect.

While the funds are not actual dollars and cents, they are just as important.

In fact, they may be more important because the funds from these accounts determine the wellness of the relationship between a leader and his constituents.

This idea of an emotional bank account is not my own. But, ever since being introduced to it in a Franklin-Covey leadership seminar, I have become a firm believer that how much you have in your emotional bank account determines how well you are able to lead.

Like financial accounts, leaders make deposits by being honest, showing respect, keeping commitments and the like.

At the same time, leaders make withdrawals when they betray trust, create a perception of secrecy, do not listen and act similarly.

Withdrawals and deposits, like those for bank accounts, are constantly being made — even when leaders don’t realize it.

The only difference between the two may be that emotional bank accounts don’t receive a regular bank statement in the mail.

As a result, it is hard sometimes for leaders to know whether they are withdrawing more from their accounts than they are depositing.

Inside more than 30 businesses across the county are white pieces of paper that may be the closest thing to an actual emotional bank account statement.

These pieces of paper are petitions for a referendum on the location of correctional facilities in Adams County.

More than just petitions, these sheets of paper could be an indicator of how much residents trust the current county administration.

Have county leaders spent all of their capital in secrecy and backroom dealing that the public no longer trusts them? That may be the question residents are answering when they decide to sign or not.

In recent weeks, two private companies have come forward to show an interest in locating a federal correctional facility in the northern part of the county.

Other than one public hearing, county leaders have shared little information about their plans for a correctional facility.

Supervisor’s president Darryl Grennell joined city aldermen in a December secret meeting to discuss the issue.

While Grennell met with the city, other supervisors were apparently unaware that there was any discussion at all.

Even before then, county officials were apparently in talks with one of the private companies about locating at the Adams County airport.

The question as to whether the county wanted a prison was obviously already answered before residents even got a chance.

Does the county need jobs? Definetly. Could those jobs come from a new prison? Certainly.

Should the public know what deal or deals the supervisors have made behind closed doors? Absolutely.

Or should residents trust leaders to do what’s best for them without consultation?

It depends how much “trust” is left.

The bank statement is coming in the form of signatures on April 24.

It might just come back marked insufficient funds.

BEn Hillyer is the web editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3540 or by e-mail at ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com.