The start of a new year marks the end of some local board members’ tenures.
In Madison County, longtime supervisor Clay Jackson is exiting the board after 12 years. It’s unlikely he’ll be gone long as he’s already applied to serve on the planning commission, a role he had prior to being elected to the board. It’s even more likely he’ll seek reelection to the board in two years as he ran a nearly successful write-in campaign in the 2025 election.
At the annual Christmas luncheon, Jackson thanked county employees for all of their hard work, saying they are what truly holds the county together. Fellow supervisor Carty Yowell thanked Jackson for his work and gifted him a toy tractor, something Jackson collects.
“Clay is one of the finest examples of leadership I have ever encountered,” supervisor Jim Jewett added.
Supervisor Dustin Dawson was also honored at the luncheon for his four years of service. Dawson opted to not seek reelection.
“You have provided what I consider boots on the ground in so many instances,” Yowell said. “You’re the guy who is out there and knows how to do stuff.”
In an email, supervisor Jud Buchanan said he’s going to miss Jackson and Dawson.
“I am really going to miss Clay and Dustin and all the knowledge and experience they brought to the board,” he said. “I learned so much from them.”
Jackson was given a Clore rocking chair for his service, a staple that many longtime servants receive in the county. Dawson was given a Clore clock.
At the school board level, three are exiting–Nita Collier, Christopher Wingate and Charlie Sheads. Wingate and Sheads served one term, opting to not seek reelection, while Collier also opted to not seek reelection, but completed two terms.
Collier was emotional at her last school board meeting in early December.
“I’m filled with gratitude, pride and deep affection for this community that I’ve had the privilege to represent and serve the families and children of Madison County,” she said. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Collier said she’s proud of what the board has accomplished together, especially the establishment of a full-day preschool and the hiring of superintendent Anna Graham who Collier said has built an excellent leadership team.
Collier also said she’s proud of the partnership the school board has with the board of supervisors, the renovation of the primary school and the naming of Billy Mitchell Field.
Wingate thanked all those who regularly attend school board meetings, as well as Graham and her team.
“I’ve admired how professionally you’ve handled both boards and carried out directives while maintaining operational things so well,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Orange County, District 1 Supervisor Mark Johnson is exiting after more than two decades on the board. He was first elected in 1995 and served until 1999. He was reelected in 2004 and served until 2008 and was elected again in 2014 serving until the end of 2025. He has been chairman for several of those years. At the December board of supervisors meeting, Johnson thanked all those who have served with him over the years, as well as county staff members.
“Twenty-one and a half years goes by in a flash,” he said. “I appreciate what this board has done.”
Johnson opted to not seek reelection this year.
At the school board, District 1 representative Melissa Anderson is exiting. At the December board meeting she thanked everyone and said it has been an honor to serve on the board. She said she hopes the board will continue to uphold the Constitution and make its constituents proud. She made note of her somewhat rocky tenure, stating there are some who are glad she opted to not seek reelection. She said local boards must reclaim control of local education instead of relying on unelected state agencies.
“I am grateful to be able to experience this and appreciate all that you have done,” she said to fellow board members, stating she hoped she wasn’t too much of a thorn in their sides.
