State Rep. Bob Smith, R-Watkinsville, is an immensely likable guy, and in a cynical time, he's also that all-too-rare politician who tries actively to live out what it should mean to be a public servant.

There's no doubt that everything Smith has done during his time in the state legislature has been motivated by a couple of bedrock desires he brings to that work. He wants to make Georgia the best state it can possibly be, and he wants to do so while saving the taxpayers some money, and ensuring them that the tax dollars they do fork over to the state are spent as efficiently and effectively as possible.

For those reasons, any time Smith wants to stop by the newspaper office to talk, I and anyone else whose ear he might want to bend will make time for him. To be honest, as far as I'm concerned, it's worthwhile -- and refreshing -- to listen to someone who can, as Smith does, talk about his ideas with conviction and enthusiasm.