Somewhere in the wash of “no news” about the sale of Natchez Regional Medical Center, a pretty significant ritual took place.

A hatchet was apparently buried.

One year ago — almost to the day — members of the Adams County Board of Supervisors split in their first couple of votes.

One such vote was organizational, electing Supervisor Henry Watts to be the board’s ceremonial president.

Early in 2008, that rather simple task fell to a 3-2 vote, setting up what was to be a rocky start. Voters may remember how we fired then county attorney Bob Latham; then rehired him later.

That simple first day the supervisors got off to a bit of a rocky start, with one side effectively crossing their arms and turning their backs on the other members.

This week, the vote to re-elect Watts, as president was unanimous. In fact, the motion was proposed by his previous rival for the job.

Further, the board put in place a plan to rotate the presidency going forward.

We’re not nave enough to think that all of the bad blood has just disappeared in the last year, but time has amazing healing powers.

And this board appears to be working well together — at least publicly — and that’s a good start for a new year for the voters of Adams County.