On Tuesday, Aug. 7, Adams County voters will go to the polls to vote in the primaries for our county’s elected officials. Every race is important, and we all want the most qualified candidates to win. It is difficult, however, to choose who is the best man or woman for the job when we do not know them or do not know much about them. Personal accounts from people who really know someone are a great way to find out about a candidate. Therefore I am writing to endorse one candidate with whom I am very well acquainted.

My father is running for the position of Adams County tax collector. Glenn Etheridge is a name that I hope most of you have heard by now, either from this campaign or from years before. Glenn Etheridge is the co-owner and manager of Etheridge Hardware, a family business that my grandfather started in 1965.

My father has been a part of the business since it was founded but did not always plan on continuing it as his career. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received his bachelor’s degree in business in 1978. His love for Natchez and Adams County brought him back home where he became a permanent part of Etheridge Hardware.

My father’s business degree has helped him in effectively running the family business. He has dealt with countless orders, numbers and accounts, and I believe he is well-prepared for the office of tax collector.

But just as importantly, my dad’s kind and honest character has allowed him to be successful as well as admired and appreciated by so many people. I believe that anyone who knows my dad, and even anyone who has only briefly spoken with him, would say that he is one of the most genuine, humble people he or she has ever met. My dad is not pretentious or arrogant. He is always open and honest. With Glenn Etheridge, what you see is what you get. And I can attest that what you see and get is a man of high moral standards, pure diligence and deep wisdom.

Now, you might be thinking that I am just saying all of this because Glenn Etheridge is my father. But I have seen my dad in action. I worked at Etheridge Hardware in the summer of 2004 after my freshman year at Ole Miss. I was able to observe how my dad treats his customers and employees, which was always with the utmost respect and integrity. As I am now 22 years old and a college graduate, I realize even more how unique my father’s qualities are. His extremely hardworking, honest and intelligent character is quite rare, and combined with his love for Natchez and Adams County, would make him an outstanding Adams County tax collector.

Lindsey Etheridge

Natchez resident