Last Gazette

I've had a good run here. My boss said I left the paper better than I had found it, which was about all I could ask for. It made me a better journalist for sure. The crew sent me off with several bags of chocolate coffee beans. Sweet.

I will miss some aspects of reporting. Gordon, my boss, uh, former-boss, said he thinks I will return to writing some day. I guess that means he sees that I like it somehow. Being part of the unfolding of a story over a long period of time and really getting to know the ins and outs is something I like. For instance, this issue has my last story on a controversial, cutting-edge land use policy that is about to be adopted. I've been writing stories about it for about a year and a half. I'm curious what will happen because this policy will change the scenic face of the county that is so beautiful.

I didn't get to write a farewell column, but I have threatened to write one on the road, possibly with a photo of me in front of a "Welcome to Georgia" sign. Seriously, though, I want to say goodbye to the readers in some way.