A small but well-attended appreciation ceremony honoring outgoing aldermen Bobbie Jean Pounders and Rufus Manley was held Tuesday, June 16, at the regular meeting of Batesville’s mayor and aldermen.

Both graciously accepted defeat during recent municipal elections and have moved ahead with their lives while finishing their terms which end this month.

Both have served their respective constituencies as they saw fit. Both were willing to take the heat when decisions were unpopular and both let you know where they stood on issues and why they took that stand.

Both were very involved in community activities too numerous to mention. They both have given back to the community in diverse ways that have been in addition to their service as elected officials.

While some residents won’t even register to vote for fear of jury duty, these veteran officials were willing to serve and meet for long hours, take criticism and more often than not, form a consensus to govern the municipality of Batesville.

That they were not re-elected doesn’t necessarily mean they weren’t doing the job. It does show that voters wanted somebody else doing the job for a change.

Isn’t that what representative government is all about?

We owe them our thanks.