Nash bids farewell Monday

He received kind words from board members with whom he’s clashed over the years, a plaque from the industrial authority for his service with the IDA and a standing ovation from the crowd in the BOC meeting room.

“It’s been a real honor to serve Madison County,” said Nash. “It’s been challenging. It’s also been very rewarding. I’ve enjoyed it. I have a real strong faith in the Lord. And I think there are certain times when God closes doors. And in my instance, I think he closed the door on me. And he’s turned right around and opened up another door.”

Nash announced that he’s taken a job with the U.S. State Department. He didn’t offer any more details.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Nash. “I think it’s going to be extremely challenging. The county has afforded me to move forward with this next step in life. Because the county spent an awful lot of money educating me. And it’s that that has afforded me to move on to what I consider the next step in life.”

Each commissioner at the table spoke to Nash at the close of Monday’s meeting. Commissioner Wesley Jordan was not able to attend the final business meeting in his term due to health reasons.

“I would like to thank you for your years of service to the county,” said District 5 Commissioner Bruce Scogin to Nash. “I know that there have been good years and bad years. There have been times I enjoyed working with you and times that I have not enjoyed working with you. But I would also like to say that I wish you the best whatever you might choose.”

District 2 Commissioner John Pethel, with whom Nash had numerous political battles, offered some parting words, too.

“I know that about every other meeting Wesley and I had some sort of controversy,” said Pethel. “It’s hard for me to say I’m sorry, but I’m sorry about some of the things that have happened. I know I was new on the board when a lot of this happened. It probably could have been worked out in a different way with some cooperation from the chairman. I wish him well and I’ve enjoyed working with him most of the time.”

Commissioner Stanley Thomas said that all elected officials make unseen sacrifices.

“Wesley and I may not have always seen eye to eye on everything, but having served for four years, I realize what a sacrifice it is anytime you’re in public service, no matter who you are or how you feel about that person,” said Thomas. “I realize after four years what a sacrifice it is to you and your family, and all the hours you put into it, all the calls, all the nights you get up and answer the phone and in your case, the nights you ride the roads in bad weather. … I wish you well, because when you give service, nobody really knows until you’ve walked in somebody’s shoes who’s given that service. We didn’t always see eye to eye on everything, but I wish you well.”

District 3 Commissioner Mike Youngblood said he and Nash had disagreements but that he learned some things from the chairman.

“We always got to the same point,” said Youngblood. “We didn’t always agree. When I first came on the board, I kind of respected your decisions and learned some things from you. And I wish you the best and may God bless you.”

Mike Pruett said he Nash gave him the chance to be county attorney eight years ago.

“And it’s been the most rewarding professional experience of my life to serve as county attorney,” said Pruett, who thanked Nash for giving him the opportunity to work with the Madison County government.

Nash said that he wishes chairman-elect Anthony Dove the best.

“People say, the fellow who was in here before you (Bill Madden) — all though he did hug my neck a couple of years later — had some animosity toward me,” said Nash. “I hold absolutely no animosity toward this young man. I wish him well. I will help in any way I can. I really truly believe in my heart that the Lord has never closed a door on me when he didn’t open two doors and a window for me to jump out of. And in this case, he’s given me something I’m extremely excited about, and I think my family is excited about.”