Welcome to Moore County, Cary McSwain.

We at The Pilot greet the new interim county manager warmly -- not only because Southern hospitality is a way of life, but also because Moore County needs clear-headed administration in days of leadership transition.

The Board of Commissioners wisely decided to appoint an interim manager. With three of the five commissioners new to the board, the county leadership will have a new majority and perhaps new direction in December. It makes sense to place a qualified professional temporarily at the helm until the new board can reach consensus on a full-time manager.

McSwain comes to Moore County with an impressive background, including management of Richland County, South Carolina, home to Columbia, the state capital. He has also built up a reputation for integrity and fairness. In retirement, McSwain has joined another experienced manager in formation of an independent local government consulting firm, based near Columbia.

Introducing McSwain Monday, Board Chairman David Cummings said that the new manager "has hit the road running." Indeed he has. It's an indication that he takes the management of Moore County seriously and has the energy, intelligence and insight to deal with the diversity that characterizes this unusual community.

Because McSwain has no interest in the position as a full-time job, he can afford to be honest with the county commissioners and county personnel. The county has experienced an unsettling degree of turnover in supervisory personnel in recent years, and it's time to take a clear, unprejudiced look at county operations. The new man on board is in a position to help do just that.

In early childhood, McSwain made his home in Carthage. May he and Moore County continue to enjoy the warmth of that relationship throughout his stay in our community, which we hope will be a fruitful one.