We were recently reminded of the many local folks who make contributions on the state level. Sure, our local senators and representatives are doing their best to help Brookhaven, Lincoln County, the region and the state.

But there are several others doing good work at the state level who rarely get mentioned. Don Underwood is executive director of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Underwood served two terms as a state representative and was municipal judge in Brookhaven before joining the agency. He’s a lifelong resident of Brookhaven.

Adrian Powell of Lincoln County is a long-time porter in the state Senate. Debbie Carney from Lawrence County has worked in the governor’s office for years and currently serves as assistant to the chief of staff.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing served as president of the Sheriff’s Association recently. Rachel Powell served as president of the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Glenda Hux was legislative chair for the Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association. Powell worked on a bill to eliminate sales tax on hearing aids and devices. Hux worked on a bill requiring insurance companies to cover some types of autism therapy.

There are certainly others who could be added to this list. But the point is that this area has more than its share of leaders who are working to make a difference in the lives of people here and across the state. That should give us all something to be proud of.

So to those who work to better our lives but rarely get the recognition for it, we say thanks.

Thanks for supporting United Way 

The United Way of Lincoln County may have come up a hair short of its goal, but raising $93,000 to help local groups is something to be proud of.

Funds raised by United Way go to local agencies like the Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts, Brookhaven Beautiful, Brookhaven Little Theatre, Brookhaven Recreation Department, Doll’s House, Habitat for Humanity, Lincoln County Relief Fund, Outreach Ministries and Pee Wee Football. The funds raised stay here in Lincoln County and help Lincoln County residents.

We offer a big thanks to the many volunteers who helped raise money this year. We also offer our thanks to the many businesses and individuals who supported this worthy cause. Lincoln County is a better place because of you.