NATCHEZ — Public debates and sometimes not-so-subtle implications about who is or is not doing a job correctly gave 50-60 voters in attendance Monday night a closer look at the issues — and personalities — of this year’s elections.

Ten candidates for the office of Adams County supervisor attended the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce political forum to answer submitted questions.

At times, though, the message was the same — candidates want to see more jobs, a recycling project and a recreation complex.

“The candidates were basically all saying the same things,” lifelong Adams County resident Katie J. Moore said afterward. “It’s going to have to be the people’s choice, and I hope they make a wise decision.”

District 1

Easily the most heated discussion of the night came early when District 1 challenger Bobby Braswell began challenging incumbent Mike Lazarus and saying Lazarus had lied to him. Chamber Moderator Stephanie Hutchins worked to redirect the candidates to the questions, though.

Both men said they supported the completion of a proposed recreation complex.

Lazarus said he doesn’t plan on raising taxes to fund the project but that he would support such a move if necessary.

However, Braswell said he would never vote for an increase in taxes — whether it’s for the recreation complex or for another endeavor.

Both men said they feel the most pressing issue facing the county is a lack of jobs.

Braswell said he has focused his campaign on creating jobs.

“We’ve lost a lot of businesses, and I don’t know what the reason is except bad leadership,” Braswell said. “You can’t just ask people, ‘Do you want a recreation complex?’ without having the necessary funds.”

Lazarus said, though, that the county is on the right track now, largely thanks to Natchez Inc., and that individual supervisors shouldn’t be in the job-creating business.

“(We have) good, paying jobs (coming) for the first time in 50 years,” he said. “It’s time for supervisors to sit back and be supportive of Natchez Inc.”

Consolidation with the city, though, isn’t so black and white.

“Sometimes consolidation works, and sometimes it doesn’t,” Lazarus said. “You need to make sure (it will work) before you jump up and do it.

“Would we save money by consolidating? I think so, but we need to talk about it before we jump in.”

Braswell said if the city and county did consolidate, one of the most important things to add to it would be having open meetings to allow input from the public.

Braswell said he’d approached the board three times to talk about roadwork and he felt that he hadn’t really been heard, saying Lazarus had failed to get back to him and lied. He added that he felt some of the board members had been “wishy washy” and “flip-flopped” on a number of issues.

“How can you trust a leader who comes up here and says they’ll do things and then they don’t do things?” Braswell asked.

Braswell was stopped by Hutchins as she reminded him to stick to answering the question asked.

“I didn’t know this was a debate,” Lazarus responded when his turn came. “I never lied to you, I looked at the road and tried to fix it,” he said, addressing Braswell and pointing out that he is one vote of five on the board.

The last question to the candidates was about their leadership style.

“I keep an open mind and try to do what’s right for the people of Natchez,” Lazarus said. “I’m going to be here as long as they need me.”

Braswell said his overall campaign promise is that, if elected, he’ll bring jobs to Adams County.

“I’d like to hear from you in that respect,” he said to Lazarus. “I’d like to have an open debate with you.”

Lazarus concluded by saying taxes have been lowered during his time as supervisor for district 1.

District 1 candidate Derrick Batteste did not attend the forum.

District 2

David Carter, an independent candidate and the only District 2 candidate in attendance, said he’s strongly in favor of the proposed recreation complex.

“I think it’s something we’ve clearly spoken loudly about through the referendum,” he said.

Carter said the way it would be funded is something that still needs to be discussed.

“I’ve looked at the recreation (complexes) across the state, and the successful ones are the ones that have less government involvement,” he said.

While Carter did address the issue of economic development, he pointed to problems in the education system as one of the biggest issues facing Adams County.

“When you see stronger school systems, you see people more willing to invest,” he said. “We have to realize our school system is not unique in the state its in. A lot of school systems have found ways to turn achievement (levels) around.

“We need to look at other school systems that are successful and find out how we can duplicate their process of achievement in Adams County.”

Incumbent District 2 Supervisor Henry Watts did not attend the forum.

District 3

Wilbert Whittley said anything dealing with recreation is long overdue, and he would support raising property taxes to get the facility built.

Raythell P. Smith said in each of the four times he has run for supervisor, he’s always said there should be a recreation complex.

Angela Gibson Hutchins said she, too, supports the recreation complex, but she’d need to take a closer look at the budget before deciding whether she’d be willing to raise property taxes.

Whittley said in four years, he’d like to see Adams County as a mini-New Orleans, but the only way improving Natchez can be achieved, he said, is by everyone working together as a team.

Smith said four years from now, he sees Adams County as a leader in economic development, youth development and recreational development.

Hutchins, too, pointed to economic development as something she’d like to see improved in four years. She said she would also like to see new technology in the county.

District 4

Darryl Grennell, incumbent district 4 seat and president of the board, is unopposed.

District 5

Incumbent S.E. “Spanky” Felter said he’s always supported recreation, but if supporting a recreation complex that costs $5.5 million means raising property taxes, he’s not in favor.

“People on fixed incomes haven’t had a raise in Social Security or in other ways of getting money,” he said. “I just don’t feel like it’s the right time to do it.”

Calvin “Jyrodd Buford” Butler seconded Felter’s opinion.

“I feel we should lay all of our cards out on the table and see if there’s a way to fund (the complex) without raising taxes,” he said.

Grady B. Wilson, a Republican candidate, also agreed with Felter and Butler, as did Moe LeBlanc.

“I realize people have voted for the recreation center,” LeBlanc said. “I do believe the board of supervisors can work hard to not have a (tax increase).”

Wilson said he thinks Adams County’s most pressing issue is improving education.

Butler also said creating jobs is an issue the county faces.

“The industry needs to be able to look at what you’ve got to offer,” he said.

LeBlanc and Felter also said a lack of jobs is also the most important issue at hand.

LeBlanc said in four years, he’d like to see the board sticking closer to the initial budget.

“Budgets are made, drawn up and approved, and once they’re approved, you have to execute,” he said. “I don’t think the budget should go up from year to year if the population goes down.”

Felter said in four years, he hopes more companies have settled in Natchez, including Rentech.

“If we’re on schedule in four years, they will be here,” he said. “I’d like to see jobs, mainly.”

Butler said jobs are definitely a key factor in the county’s success, and in four years, he’d like to see a number of jobs added.

Wilson said he’d like to see the county get back things it’s throwing away, especially education.

“I think as a community, if we all work together and stay together, we can accomplish things, get together and push forward,” he said.

A second forum for the remaining candidates in the races of circuit clerk, chancery clerk, coroner and judge will take place at 6 p.m. today in the Natchez Convention Center.