Members of the Carter County Commission paid tribute to one of their colleagues who has left their ranks due to health issues.
During Tuesday night’s Commission meeting, County Mayor Leon Humphrey presented former Commissioner Robert Gobble with a plaque thanking him for his 10 years of service to the citizens of Carter County, especially the 8th District which Gobble was elected to represent.
At the beginning of the presentation, Humphrey described some of the characteristics often attributed to people considered to be “selfless.” Gobble’s tenure on the Commission was just his latest form of service to his community and country, Humphrey said.
“He served with distinction and honor for 22 years in the United States Army,” Humphrey said, adding Gobble had completed tours in Germany, Korea and Vietnam.
Gobble is also dedicated 17 years of his life to a career in law enforcement as another way to serve. All in all, Gobble has 49 years of service between his time in the military, as a police officer and on the county’s governing body.
“I have always found him to be nothing less than a servant leader,” Humphrey said. “It has truly been an honor and a privilege to call this man a friend.”
After accepting the plaque from Humphrey, Gobble took a few moments to address his former colleagues, reminiscing about some of the friendships he built with his fellow commissioners during their service together. He than
“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Gobble said as his voice wavered. “I really didn’t want to do this.”
Gobble related a story from the most recent election cycle in 2014 where a constituent asked him why he was running for office again in his late 70s and if he felt he could still do the job.
“I made her a promise that when I felt I could no longer physically or mentally do the job I would step down,” Gobble said. “It comes to the time when you have to stop and smell the roses and it’s that time for me.”
Gobble told the remaining commissioners that he loved them and would keep them in his prayers. He also asked them to remember they serve the citizens who elected them and urged them to work together to accomplish what the people of Carter County want done.