Today, April 17, is my final day serving as editor of the Port Orchard Independent. On March 31, I accepted the managing editor position with the Independence Daily Reporter in Kansas.

It has been a wonderful experience working and living in Port Orchard for the past 28 months. Leaving the paper was a hard decision, but there was more “pros than cons” when making my decision to be closer to my family in Louisiana.

On April 11, I married the lady of my dreams, Gail Sylvester Light, and we will begin another journey together in Kansas.

The people of Port Orchard and the South Kitsap community have been great to work with.

The hardest time for me here was the passing of our beloved associated publisher Lorraine May. She was a great person and colleague. She is missed.

I want to say, “thank you” to:

• Sharron and Helene, and the rest of the from Fathoms O’ Fun gang for their cooperation and friendship;

• Chris and Pam, and the Sidney Art Gallery and Museum, for keeping me abreast of all the happenings;

• Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce and Port Orchard Bay Street Association for helping with covering their events;

• To all the mayor, city council and city staff for their assistance in covering city government;

• To Police Chief Geoffrey Marti and Cmdr. Dale Schuster of the Port Orchard Police Department, and Deputy Scott Wilson, of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department, for their help in covering law enforcement-related stories;

• To all the South Kitsap School District officials, staff and board members for their assistance in helping me cover education issues in our area;

• Thanks to Kathleen Wilson at the Port Orchard Library and Port of Bremerton officials for their help;

• To Mallory Jackson of the VFW and Ken Bicha of the Port Orchard Eagles, for keeping me posted on upcoming events in your respective clubs;

• To Mercedes at That’s Beautiful for all the great conversations we had and your friendship;

• A special thanks to my dear friend, Amy Creed, for all the ice tea I drank while visiting with her and her staff at Amy’s on the Bay;

• And to everyone else who I met while photographing and covering events in the community.

Working with the newspaper staff has been great. Thanks Chris Chancellor for all your help during my time here and all the hours we spent discussing sports.

To Advertising Manager Billi Gurnsey and our new sales representative, Arial Naumann, good luck in the future with helping create revenue so the Independent can thrive.

Thanks to Lori Maxim, Donna Etchey, Richard Walker, Leslie and Brian Kelly, Seraine Page, Kelsey Thomas, Bryon Kempf and the Sound Publishing family for your support, assistance and friendship during my time here. I will miss you all.

But I will always remember and cherish my time in Port Orchard and with the Independent.