When voters head to the polls on Nov. 3, they stand to make a monumental decision that could benefit our area for years to come.

The choice voters make could ultimately affect crime for the coming generations.

But we’re not talking about the special election to fill the unexpired term of the late sheriff, Ronny Brown, though that’s important, too.

We’re talking about the vote to support recreation in our community. Keeping youth involved in recreational endeavors has been shown to reduce crime.

After decades of talking about recreation, the momentum has finally built and our city, county and school leaders are ready to work together to build a state-of-the-art recreation facility.

On Election Day, voters can offer their opinions on the issue in a non-binding referendum that will let our elected leaders feel the pulse of the community on the issue.

Many of the proponents of the facility will point to the economic development aspect of building such a complex.

Certainly the addition of a new recreation complex would help attract more people to Natchez, but that’s not why we support revamping our recreation efforts.

We support recreation for what it can do for youth and for what our youth can do to bring us together.

Decades ago, the leaders of this community helped build the recreation facilities we currently have.

And those facilities have served us well, but many of them are more than 50 years old. Quite simply, the current facilities are too outdated and too scattered across town.

Now it’s time for this generation to step up to the plate and show our children and grandchildren the support that our parents and grandparents showed for us.

Please vote “yes” on Nov. 3. It’s a vote for our future — our youth.