The problems that come with a prosperous county are many and easy to find. Simply get into your car and try to travel some of Shelby County&8217;s roads.

Or spend a little time at any of the 33 Shelby County public schools to experience the problems that come with population boom.

These are serious issues and Shelby County needs serious leaders to address them.

Thirty of these potential leaders graduated with the Leadership Shelby County Class of 2006 last week.

They join about 300 others from 10 previous classes who have been given an inside look into the county.

They&8217;ve studied the county&8217;s assets and its deficiencies and hopefully, through the program developed an appreciation for their home.

They now make a commitment to take the lead in assuring that Shelby County will maintain its prosperous status.

Some in the program have tried for years to keep alumni involved in making the county a better place but to no avail.

Recent alumni efforts will change that if our leaders will make that commitment to stay involved.

Good, solid leadership is the only way we&8217;re going to make it through our problems. And Leadership Shelby County is one of the ways we can foster the leaders we will need. Congratulations to the graduates of 2006 and the others who choose to take the reins and lead Shelby County into a bright future.