EDITORIAL: Thank you outgoing public servants

Published 4:27 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Our community will begin the new year with a few new faces holding elected office. We will close 2024 with goodbyes for some long-tenured elected officials.

Earlier this month the Baldwin County Board of Education bid farewell to long-time school board member and educator Lyn Chandler, District 3, at its last regularly scheduled meeting of the year. Chandler has been a fixture on the school board since 2012. He did not seek another term on the board. Two long-time members of the board of commissioners are also leaving office, Johnny Westmoreland, District 5, and Henry Craig, District 4. Both have served on the county board for the past 12 years. Even before they joined their respective boards, service was not unfamiliar to either of these three. They transitioned into public service seemingly with relative ease.

That’s no small feat. It’s not always easy working to meet the needs of a community. The role of an elected public servant is often multifaceted and complex. It’s also not without controversy. Public scrutiny is a regular occurrence, as is criticism. Tough decisions must be made, whether it’s raising taxes, hirings and firings, cutting budgets or breaking a tie in a controversial vote.

Very rarely are there issues where residents all agree. Sometimes not all board members agree, either.

Those who answer the call for public service in the political realm give up their time and energy and exert their personal resources for the opportunity to lead. Those who do so on a local level and do it effectively, often do it with little or no fanfare and tireless work, much of which takes place behind the scenes.

It involves sacrifice and often their families are impacted as well.

Agree or disagree, these three have served their communities well, answering the call to public service and all its demands. They have met with constituents and been the voices and representation of their districts when it mattered most. They have also represented Milledgeville and Baldwin County at the state level, leading in capacities as not only local leaders but influential leaders across Georgia, advocating and addressing critical needs such as mental health and literacy. They have brought state attention to local needs and concerns as well.

Their knowledge and influence will be sorely missed. Their time, leadership and dedication to the local community are very much appreciated. Thank you to these public servants.