As we stand today on the threshold of 2024, change is in the air for the Mahoning Valley on many fronts, not the least of which is local government leadership.

Once again, a new crop of winners from last month’s general election will solemnly swear to perform their public duties to the best of their abilities and for the betterment of their communities.

We trust each and every one of them understands their new responsibilities and that their public service must not be taken lightly.

Many challenges await them as governing local communities and rendering impartial justice from local courtrooms have grown increasingly more complex over the years. To be sure, they must never let themselves become shrinking violets in the face of criticism and adversity.

Each soon will be reminded as public servants, they set themselves up as targets for public wrath. They also will learn they cannot please all of their constituents all of the time, and they must remain strong and steadfast to doing what they believe is best even when clamor from opponents becomes deafeningly loud.

Above all else, they should not hesitate to seek guidance and counsel from their seasoned predecessors, many of whom are retiring after long and distinguished careers in public service.

We owe these longtime officeholders much gratitude and respect for that service. The collective centuries of experience they have acquired will be extremely difficult to replace.

Consider outgoing Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill’s 36 years of hands-on service to the village, 24 of which as mayor. He has worked to minimize the damage of such lows in the community as the closing of the General Motors plant. He has labored successfully to maximize growth in Lordstown, one of the Mahoning Valley’s most robust hubs of economic development.

Or consider the service and longevity of Michael Dockry, who retired this year as Austintown Township administrator after working for the township in various capacities for more than 30 years. His commitment to coherent community governance most recently shined through when he agreed to delay retirement to serve the final four months of the year as a township trustee in a time of great need.

In addition to those two strong public servants who will be missed dearly in the year and years ahead, our honor roll of departing officeholders in the Valley this year collectively constitutes more than 200 years of commitment to their communities and residents. Among them are:

• Youngstown Clerk of Courts Sarah Brown-Clark, who is retiring after 24 years of service to the downtown court.

• Campbell Municipal Court Judge Patrick Cunning, who served his judicial district well for three six-year terms of office.

• Campbell Law Director Brian Macala, who served that city formerly known as East Youngstown in that position for 23 years.

• Youngstown City Councilwoman Basia Adamczak, who served as a responsible, passionate and accountable representative for residents of the 7th Ward for eight years.

• Girard Mayor Jim Melfi, who served that city with distinction from 1999 through this year and had served as city treasurer for 11 years before being elected chief executive of the city. (Melfi, however, is not planning to retire completely as he is running for Trumbull County treasurer in the March primary.)

• Hubbard Township Trustee Fred Hanley, who has represented the community 36 consecutive years as trustee and who some have called “the workhorse for the township.”

• McDonald Village Mayor Glenn Puckett, who served the village as councilman for six years and as mayor for the past seven years.

• Newton Falls Councilman John Baryak, who has guided the village in and out of many controversies and conflicts over the past eight years as councilman and as acting mayor.

• West Farmington Mayor Shirley McIntosh, who has led the small community capably for the past nine years.

Collectively, these leaders have left their unique imprints on their communities, and many of them have left behind unfinished business that we are confident their successors will complete competently and expeditiously. To be sure, our Valley’s new crop of public servants will have some very big shoes to fill. We wish them well.