It was no big surprise to observers that District One County Commissioner Carole Custer announced Monday that she will not be seeking a second term in office.

 

Citing family obligations, Mrs. Custer conceded that it has been a tough year on her personally and professionally.

 

This last year in office has indeed been a tough one for Commissioner Custer, much of it brought on by her own doing. She’s proven to be a lightning rod for controversy, and provided plenty of examples of what a county commissioner is NOT supposed to do. Here’s a short list: Don’t try to use federal funds earmarked for the needy to hire a relative. Don’t attempt to create programs for which there is no clear need. Don’t make campaign promises you don’t intend to live up to. When all of your colleagues are tightening their financial belts, don’t invoice the county for expenses you should clearly be absorbing with your $50,000 annual salary.

 

Those transgressions have got to be hurtful to her, just as they are to her constituents. But we hope Mrs. Custer can find solace in her  accomplishments since being sworn into office a little more than three years ago. Clearly, her greatest legacy is the Hanssen Haus, a former residence across the street from the courthouse that now houses the veteran’s service office and serves as a clearing house for various governmental agencies. Mrs. Custer relentlessly sought-out various grants to acquire the property and renovate the building. She doggedly went after funds to create programs for our youth. And she worked with various non-profits here, assisting them as a one-woman cheerleading squad and helping them seek funds from various sources.

 

No great person achieves success without first staring failure in the face. To be sure, Commissioner Custer has more than her share of failures. But with the tenacity of a pit-bull, she accomplished much for the people of Custer County.

 

Next January, she’ll give up her title as elected official. We hope that she will continue to use her contacts and intellect to bring improvement to our county.