This was supposed to be my Victory letter, but it was not to be. Instead it will be my Farewell letter. Naturally, I am disappointed that I did not win re-election to my fourth term as county commissioner. I have no regrets. I am proud of my accomplishments over the last 12 years.

I will try to remember the advice former Mayor Paul Reehling just sent me: "If you find yourself "out" in this election...my only advice will be to reflect upon it for not more than thirty seconds..and then forget it. Ripples on the pond are quickly vanished..... Your family is all that matters."

In the long run, my family and my doctors will probably be glad I lost. That means without the additional stress I would have experienced over the next four years I will probably live longer. I will miss the opportunities to be around county commissioners from across the state and the wonderful friends I met at ACCG and Carl Vinson Institute.

I will miss all the fantastic things that are about to happen to Peach County. Most of all I will miss the wonderful staff and Department heads involved in Peach County government. I guess I can still visit my buddies at the fire station from time to time.

I want to thank everyone who supported me in my campaign. I want to thank the people of Peach County who trusted me and allowed me to be your county commissioner for the last 12 years. It has been an honor to serve you. I am still your county commissioner and I will continue to represent you to the best of my ablatives until the clock strikes 12:00 on December 31.

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Dear Daddy,

I know that you must be disappointed with the outcome of today's election, but I think that you are handling the letdown like a champ--with grace and respect. While I know that you still had big plans for Peach County over the next four years, you can now take that energy and focus on a part of Peach County that means the most to you: your family and friends.

I want you to remember that you will always be #1 in my book, and no one else will ever make a better Kommish.

I love you,
Natalie