This upcoming week will be Diane Strickland’s final week as president of the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier in August, Diane announced her retirement and Sept. 5 would be her last day on the job.

Diane very capably served as president of the Chamber for the past four years, but her work during those four years will be evident for many years to come.

As is the common measure in situations such as this, she has definitely left the chamber in better shape than the way she found it.

For the past few years, I have had the pleasure of serving on the Chamber Board of Directors, currently serving as its Chairman. I consider it a pleasure in large part because of Diane’s leadership and commitment to the Chamber and our community.

None of the board members ever had to be concerned about the decision making process.

Diane uses sound, logical judgment when making day-to-day operating decisions.

And the Chamber member could rest assured that work was being done, every day, on their behalf.

While I know Diane will not really miss those late nights closing up the Fair every November and those late nights at River Town Days walking around the boat basin picking up trash, she has assured me of her desire to still be involved in Chamber activities.

While it will be on a volunteer basis now, I am positive she will have the opportunity to help out now and then.

Her work has been outstanding and I hope nothing but enjoyment and satisfaction for her and her husband, John as Diane enters the next phase of her life.

Thank you for what you have done, Diane.

And you are still welcome to work the ticket booth at the Fair on that last Saturday night this year.