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After serving nearly 20 years, County Commissioner John Keeble is heading home to stay. The District 8 commissioner has decided to retire at the end of his current term in August.

"I'm not going to run," he said. "I'm retiring from Oak Ridge, and I'm going to spend time with my family. I want to thank the constituents of District 8 for letting me serve going on 20 years."

The longest-serving commissioner on the current Blount County Commission, Keeble has served District 8 since 1990. Looking back, Keeble said that his work with the Blount County Education Committee was very important.

"I worked with education on the schools," Keeble said. "I've seen eight or nine schools built in my tenure while serving on the Education Committee. I've seen renovation of Everett gymnasium, was involved with the new senior citizens center, the new library, and the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. I support the Civic Arts Center at Maryville College. I still think the county would have benefited greatly from being involved in that. It's been enjoyable. I've enjoyed serving. This 20 years has gone by fast."

When he completes his 20th year in August, Keeble will be the fifth longest serving county commissioner listed in records of the County Clerk's Office.