Tuesday, one of the county's longtime politicians decided to hang up his spurs. In a letter to his fellow commissioners, District One County Commissioner Mort Ewing announced that December 31, 2012, would be his last day in office.

Ewing has served on the Board of Commissioners for the past 11 years. Some have viewed him as the pseudo leader of the county for the past eight years despite being just one of five decision makers. Despite those perceptions - fair or unfair as they may be - Ewing said that he has made every effort to be a team player and to make decisions that were in the best interests of Newton County. This newspaper hasn't always been so sure of that. But it doesn't matter. Ewing has taken the time to serve the county - a job we are sure has been a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week commitment.

This newspaper praises Mort Ewing's commitment and his service to our county and we wish him well with his future endeavors.