The assumption of the chairmanship of the Mid-East Commission’s chairmanship by Murfreesboro Mayor Lynn Johnson last week was most appropriate.

The Mid-East Commission is one of 17 state regional councils of government created to assist communities with economic and workforce development, environmental protection, land use planning and services for the elderly. By bringing together a variety of governmental entities, the councils lend strength to all they represent.

Lynn operated a ladies retail store and a travel agency, so she has a good perspective of those who operate the small businesses that are the lifeblood of the region.

And she has a long history of community service, serving as the first executive secretary of the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce some 35 years ago; worked to revitalize the Murfreesboro Garden Club; was instrumental in the opening of the Hertford-Northampton Farmer’s Market; and serves on the CADA executive board.

She was instrumental, as a member of the executive board of FoR ENC – the Foundation of Renewal Eastern North Carolina – the nucleus for the Creative Communities Initiative, in securing the $500,000 grant aimed at enabling five communities, including Murfreesboro, Ayden, Hertford, Plymouth and Edenton, in marketing themselves.

She also is a member of Chowan University’s Board of Visitors and she and her husband co-chair their church’s Loaves & Fishes Food Ministry.

Johnson has served for about five years on the Mid-East Commission she now will head.

With her background and her willingness to serve, she was an obvious choice, and a wise one.