A reception was held Monday at the Newton County Historic Courthouse for outgoing Newton County commissioners Monty Laster and Ester Fleming as well as Chairman Aaron Varner. District 1 Commissioner Mort Ewing spoke to the assembled crowd, thanking all the county employees for the assistance and advice they give the commission. He said that the BOC relies on consultants and experts in a number of areas to help them make important decisions, but said that God is who the board members look to most often.