After 13 years on the Crawford County Board of Commissioners, District 2 Commissioner Tom Moody of Girard on Tuesday announced his intentions to not seek re-election. He will be stepping down from his post when his current term expires in January 2009, he said.
“Part of me hates to do it,” Moody said. “But right now, it's just the right thing to do.”
In a letter dated Monday, Moody cited increasing demands on his time from both family and business. He wants to be able to spend more time with his wife, Heidi, and in the raising of his daughters, Allie, 12, and Abbie and Annie, both 9.
“They require a lot of time,” Moody said. “I don't want to have to look back 20 years from now and think, 'I wish I'd done this,' or, 'I wish I'd gone to that.'
“I realize they're only young once. I want to be with them more now, as well as later on in their lives.”
Moody was first appointed to the board to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Pat Barone of Frontenac. Moody was then re-elected to the board for three, four-year terms.
Moody's district includes the areas of Arcadia, Capaldo, Crowe, Franklin, Frontenac, Mulberry, Arma, Pittsburg and Raymond.
Several candidates have filed for Moody's District 2 seat on the board. When asked, he declined to offer his endorsement to any of the candidates at this time.
The high points of his tenure on the Board of Commissioners include the building of the new jail in Girard and the establishment of several sewer districts throughout the county, he said.
“We were a leader in the state in forming sewer districts” in the rural areas, he said. “I realize we had some problems with the last couple, but the ones that have followed through have turned out to be a great asset to the county.”
Following the regular Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, District 1 Commissioner and Board Chairman Bob Kmiec said he understood Moody's decision, but he would miss having his fellow commissioner's experience at his side..
“You like to see continuity, because of the level of experience Tom has, because of his years of service,” Kmiec said. “It's always a personal decision someone has to decide on their own.
“Tom's experience will be missed. Any time you lose experience, you're losing.”
One aspect of Moody's character Kmiec especially admired was Moody's obvious desire to do what was in the best interests of all the residents of Crawford County. Moody said it's been a driving force in his decision making process throughout his tenure on the Board of Commissioners.
“You always have some second thoughts, wondering if you've done the right thing,” Moody said. “I always went at it with the thought of doing what's best for the most.
“I'm a little sad it's coming to an end. I've really enjoyed the job, but I'm ready to move on and watch my kids grow up.”