The crowd that gathered in the meeting room gave the new chairman of the board of commissioners a standing ovation.
And Dove took the guest speaker’s podium, thanking friends, family members and county citizens and pledging to do everything he can to lead Madison County in a positive way over the next four years.
“I’d like to thank the citizens of Madison County,” said Dove. “It’s truly an honor that they have bestowed upon me. I thank you, Madison County, for the opportunity to serve you.”
Dove is only the third Madison County BOC chairman in the past quarter century. The last two people to hold that seat, Bill Madden and Wesley Nash, both served 12-year terms.
The new chairman aid that he wants to encourage an environment of cooperation, of working together for the common good.
“To the employees of Madison County, I come in peace,” said Dove. “… As I said before change is not always comfortable. Sometimes it’s necessary. Sometimes it’s not always needed, but we just have to keep an open dialogue between us all.”
Dove said the nation is in an “unprecedented time,” “a unique time.”
“There are a lot of challenges ahead,” said Dove. “And we can only tackle these by working together. … I really believe that it’s going to take all of the people of Madison County to get through this.”
Dove said that he looks forward to working with Madison County’s five district commissioners.
“I know we’re not always going to agree on things,” said Dove to the commissioners. “But after the meetings, whatever happens during that meeting, there will be no animosity that I will have toward you whichever way you vote, even if we disagree. I hope that you do the same towards me.”
While Dove offered an introductory speech to the BOC, outgoing commissioner Wesley Jordan, who will be replaced in 2009 by Dewitt “Pete” Bond II, offered some parting words, thanking his fellow board members for what he said was a productive time together.
“I’d like to thank the gentlemen I’ve been working with the past three and a half years,” said Jordan. “… I think we’ve accomplished a lot over the past three and a half years. I think there’s a lot of things that have been turned around that were sort of spiraling down out of control.”
