Mayor Donna.

Mayor Hart.

It’s just not going to feel right to call her “Donna” or “Ms. Hart” after the elections are over and done with.

The St. Cloud mayor was already planning to void her title with a run for county commissioner, but now even that won’t be a new title possibility.

Mayor Hart has announced she has withdrawn from the commission race and is hanging up her political pursuits to spend more time with her family. We think this is very noble on her part. Those in politics who spend countless hours working for the best possible interests of those they govern can find themselves leaving less and less time for members of their families. And, when it comes right down to it, families should be the most important part of any person’s life.

Since becoming mayor four years ago, Mayor Donna has strived to make the right decisions for those living in the city of St. Cloud. Occasionally, we have used this space to disagree with her stances on issues, but never once have we doubted the woman’s focus was clearly for the benefit of those who live in St. Cloud. She has never come across as one who would make any decision to solely benefit herself, friends or family, and maybe that is the ultimate task of a good politician. Or, even simpler, a good person.

Every now and then over the past four years we’ve had trouble contacting her for comments to the news of the day that affected those living in St. Cloud. But we suppose that stemmed from her having a full-time job as a district counselor for the Osceola County School District — and, of course, the fact that wedged between her mayoral duties and her slim amount of time she had left for her family, she had to deal with reporters wanting her comments about this or that.

But she always got back to us. It might have been past our deadline or a day or two late. But she always got back to us. And answered all questions with grace and sincerity.

Even when this newspaper pounced on her following a comment she made during a debate two years ago, Mayor Hart explained her side of the story in a letter to the editor. She wanted to set the record straight. And she did. And we commend her for doing so.

She’s received many accolades from various groups in the years she has been mayor. We just want to add one more: Most of the time the public doesn’t see the sacrifices an office-holder makes. But be assured, the residents of St. Cloud have been very fortunate to have had such a caring individual to act as their mayor and watch out for them. Job well done, Mayor Donna. Job well done.