The year 2017 comes to an end on Sunday night, and what a year it has been. We’ll take a closer look at everything that transpired in Troup County during our Year in Review feature the rest of the week, and honestly we can’t wait to look back.

But this week also signifies the end of an era on the LaGrange City Council. Both Nick Woodson and Norma Tucker are retiring, and this week is the official end of their time on the council.

A retirement party was held for both earlier this month, and we’ve written individual stories on both council members, who have each served this community for more than a decade.

If we tried to mention every important vote those two were a part of during all of that time in those roles, this piece would read more like a chapter book.

Instead, we’ll simply say thank you.

Being a council member is often a thankless job.

Council members are often forced to make tough decisions that won’t always align with the public’s opinion on a topic.

Jimmy Norred, who is stepping down after four years on the Hogansville City Council, and is featured in today’s LDN, spoke about that in his closing remarks to the Hogansville City Council, and he couldn’t have said it better.

He said that he always did what he thought was the right thing, and because of that, he never lost sleep at night.

In the coming days, as we flip over our calendars, it’ll be time for new council members around the county get to work. It’s not easy to put yourself into the spotlight, especially in a job that often involves making very difficult decisions, and we thank all the men and women who have done so throughout the county.

Being a council member often means getting stopped while at the grocery store or at a sporting event, just so someone can fill you on a problem they’re having around town. It’s a job that follows you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s definitely not for everyone, which is why we’re so thankful for those that give their time to try to govern our city.