Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I want to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Mathews County for entrusting me as your representative on the Mathews County Board of Supervisors for nearly 30 years. It is hard for me to believe that in about two months, I will hang my hat up as a board member. I will miss it. I will miss the people. I will miss the spirited debates. I will miss you.

At 88 years old, I’m still in good health and remain fit, but there comes a time when someone else must take over. We’ve accomplished a lot of great things together for the betterment of our beautiful county. Your ideas and input have played just as much a part in those good deeds as the votes I have taken over these many years to help make those great improvements.

Thank you for electing me to seven terms. In November, my name will not be on the ballot for the first time since 1991. While you will not be able to cast a vote for me again, I want to invite you to do so for someone else...