I wish to thank everyone who elected me to office in 2004. Being a county commissioner has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Knowing that so many people trust you with the business of their county is very humbling. And Forsyth County is such a great county.

I again wish to just sincerely say “thank you.”

This last two years have been very troubling. I know Charles Laughinghouse and Jim Harrell are as glad to see me go as I am to be going. They, with Dave Richards, have been the majority vote and we generally always disagreed. I feel a great weight lifted as I will not have to deal with them in January. They have their new majority with Jim Boff taking my place and I wait eagerly to see what they will do.

My input was not considered in the budget vote. I asked for $90,000 to be added to the budget from reserves for the 29 people that were being fired. This would have paid their salaries until some of them could be moved into jobs that were vacated in the first two months of the new year. The others would then lose their jobs the first of March 2009. As usual, my request fell on deaf ears.

And, last but not least, Charlie never moved his office. I, as a part of the 3 to 2 vote, want my constituents to know that I knew he would not. He left his “stuff” in the big office and physically sat in the large vacant office. He never intended to follow the will of a board he did not control.

In conclusion, I tried to contact everyone that called or e-mailed me. I tried to help everyone that asked for help.

Sometimes, I could not, but I did try. I again sincerely thank Forsyth County for the wonderful opportunity I was given.

Merry Christmas and, in the words of Tiny Tim, “God Bless Us, Everyone.”

Linda Ledbetter

Cumming