Thursday's regular board meeting was the last for outgoing Forsyth County Commissioners Linda Ledbetter and David Richard.

Reading from a prepared statement, Richard said he has "appreciated serving the people of Forsyth County."

"I'd also like to thank the discerning voters of Forsyth County for forcing me to leave this office as I have grown weary of trying to get people who don't believe in republican principles to act as Republicans," he said.

Patrick Bell defeated Richard in the July 15 GOP primary. Bell then topped Democrat Jon Flack in Nov. 4 balloting for the post in District 4, which spans north Forsyth.

Ledbetter said Friday she has learned a lot in her four years on the board.

"Experience is the greatest teacher," said Ledbetter, a veteran educator. "I've had a lot of great experiences serving on the board."

Ledbetter did not seek a second term representing District 5, which includes Cumming and much of eastern Forsyth.

Jim Boff defeated Julie Tressler by 29 votes in an Aug. 5 runoff election for the seat after neither secured 50 percent during the July 15 Republican primary.

Despite Richard's setback, he vowed to "remain a resident and voter here."

"I'm not going anywhere, so deal with it," he told the board.