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The Troup County Board of Commissioners said goodbye to a pair of longtime members who served on what will likely be their final commissioner meeting.

The terms of Commissioners Lewis Davis and Ellis Cadenhead are ending at the end of the year after having lost elections earlier this year. Both commissioners served two terms for eight total years.

To recognize their service, Davis and Cadenhead were presented with framed art depicting capital projects that were completed under their leadership, including renovations to the Wayne Bartley Community Center and the William Griggs Center, along with the completion of the new Agriculture Building, the new Fire Administration Building and the Oakfuskee Conservation Center.

Commission Chairman Patrick Crews praised their leadership over the last eight years, saying they accomplished much and remained professional while dealing with the public.

“Servant leadership, the idea that people will give of themselves to be a servant leader, they’re not in it for power. They’re not in it for glory. They just truly in their hearts and their mind want to serve the people, and I feel like we have been blessed by two gentlemen who have exemplified every bit of that,” Crews said.

Davis and Cadenhead have helped accomplish countless other small things, but they are most proud of limiting property taxes, Crews said.

“I think they would all tell you, too, that they have been very proud over their time that we have reduced taxes basically three times. That’s kind of unheard of,” Crews said. “We did a lot of work to make sure that we fairly compensated our employees, too.”

“On behalf of the eight years that I have pleasantly served, I want to thank my wife and my family for backing me up and doing the things that they supported me no matter what. They may not agree with me, just like the other Commissioners, they may not agree with me, but they came together, and we all worked together; to me, that is what it’s all about.  Through my faith and the purpose of doing what I felt like it needed to be done. I voted my convictions,” Cadenhead said.

“I can’t say a whole lot tonight, but I do want to thank my family. I’d like to thank my constituency that elected me. I got to serve two terms. I’m proud of that,” said Davis.  “I wish Jamie and Rex the best of luck. They’re going to do a great job. I want to see this county succeed, and again, thank you.”