Sometimes life comes at you in all directions all at once. This often brings about sudden changes, shifts in focus and rearranges goals in your personal life. This has been the case in my family’s life over the past months. My father-in-laws health has been declining making it harder each day for us to deal with. Right before Christmas, my youngest grandchild who lives with us was diagnosed with high-functioning autism.
Sometimes life comes at you in all directions all at once. This often brings about sudden changes, shifts in focus and rearranges goals in your personal life. This has been the case in my family’s life over the past months. My father-in-laws health has been declining making it harder each day for us to deal with. Right before Christmas, my youngest grandchild who lives with us was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. This has been hard on all of us, but we will be fine and I have no doubt, especially the way my family always pulls together, that we will make it through these times the way we always have. With love, patience and sure determination guiding our way.
Although I expected change, I did not see it coming so quickly. But it did. This is my final time addressing East County as the editor for The East County Californian. As sudden as this move is, I have to say that this was the most difficult career decision I have ever had to make. Living many years in East County and serving it for nearly five years in this capacity, my love and admiration for this community is beyond words. East County, both in whole and in parts is an integral part of my life, and that part will never change. It has been an honor, not only to represent this community newspaper but also becoming part of the East County community in ways I never imagined.
I am very happy to say that I believe in my heart that I leave this paper in good hands with its new editor Mary York. We’ve been colleagues for many years and many of you know her already, as she has been involved with this newspaper in several capacities since 2015. York is well versed in all aspects of journalism and wears its Code of Ethics on her sleeve. She will serve this community with all of her heart and continue to ensure this source of community news is as best as it can be. So welcome her with open arms just as you did for me.
There are many things in East County that I will continue to be passionate about and as much as possible, involved in. I’ll be at the East County Performing Arts Center when it opens and enjoy what future it offers to the community. I can’t wait to see the new library in Lakeside open. And there are so many events, people and organizations that I have passionately fallen in love with that will not change. Keep up the good fight against the El Monte Sand Mining Project and protecting our backcountry from large developers that only want to make a buck with disregard to those who chose this place as home. I would have never been able to cover many of the more controversial subjects if it had not been for the people of East County that took the lead. Keep up that good work and ensure that The East County Californian is part of it. Although it might be changing editors, it is in no way changing its involvement in all of the communities that is serves.
So, see you later. Keep you souls clean and your boots dirty East County!
