Natchez Democrat:

Ding, ding, ding — Round 1 is over.

Adams County has survived the primary election, and though several races are yet to be decided, it’s always great to have the first bout behind you.

Thanks goes to all those who ran a clean race and followed the rules.

For those candidates in a race that has now been decided, there is no time like the present to get out there and remove your campaign signs that are dotting our community.

After an election, a campaign sign is nothing but trash on a stick, so please get rid of it.

To those who still have the run-off and general election ahead, let’s keep it clean and remember the rules. Far too many campaign signs sprung up Tuesday on Mississippi Department of Transportation rights-of-ways and medians — something Mississippi Department of Transportation has clearly said is illegal.

Those candidates — and their supporters — who erected these signs simply wasted the time of taxpayer-funded MDOT employees who stopped regularly scheduled work to remove the signs.

Anyone seeking office needs to follow the rules and require his or her supporters to do the same.

Congratulations to the winners, condolences to the losers, and now let’s get on with the business of growing our community.