This is the hardest thing I have ever had to write – at least since my last federal income tax check, or the other day when I was driving, talking on my car phone, and trying to take down a phone number.
The political winds are blowing, and the sirens of democracy are luring me on to the playing field. I have decided to throw my hat into the ring (first, I had to go buy a hat) for the position of state representative in the newly revised District 107. It is a district with White Rock Lake as its centerpiece and includes a part of southern Lake Highlands.
Without a doubt, however, the greatest sacrifice connected with my decision is the requirement that I turn in my pen, here at the Big Office. It is hard to believe that I have been writing this column for 35 years – and that’s because, in fact, my first column was in April 1994.
I was a young pup then, fresh out of Advocate boot camp. As I look back over the years, the memories come flooding over me like DART tax dollars. (Help! I’m Drowning!)
I can remember when the Big Boss first hired me. He called me in to his big executive office and admonished me to write stories that would not make our readers mad. Oops!
I can remember the countless editors over the years, and how our current editor is without a doubt the very best. (Say, am I still eligible for that bonus check?)
I can remember all of the contract negotiations and finally realizing that a few million dollars isn’t worth losing a friend over – unless, of course, you never really liked the guy in the first place.
I can remember all of the stories that never quite made it to my column: favorite recipes with prunes; synchronized snoring; the architectural genius behind the Southwestern Bell building on Audelia; 10 reasons why “Picasso’s Pizza” rules; a collection of my poems about Dr Pepper. But I guess these and other topics will just have to wait for another day.
It has, indeed, been a great source of joy and pleasure to be able to write this column over the past seven years. I will miss the opportunity to push the hot button on certain issues, as well as the chance just to be silly. I subscribe to the creed that, while certain issues should be taken seriously, we should never take ourselves too seriously.
If I’m fortunate enough to become District 107’s next state representative, I hope I never forget that simple rule. But if I do, please drop me a friendly reminder along with your generous financial contribution to my campaign. In the meantime, keep reading the Advocate – the “pulse of Lake Highlands!”
