Farewell and thank you, Tri-City Herald readers. It’s been an honor | Opinion

I’ve slipped in and out of jobs at the Tri-City Herald for 36 years.

Come Friday, I’ll slip away once more.

I am retiring and this time my leaving is the most bittersweet it’s ever been.

As the Herald’s opinion page editor, I spend my days trying to come up with thoughtful, logical reasons to back up whatever stance our edit board decides to take on important community issues.

But on a personal level, I tend to manage my life with my gut. If something feels right, I go for it. If it doesn’t, I don’t.

It’s how it is. Don’t ask me to explain it.

I’ve been eyeing the exit door for a while now. Finally, I’ve decided it’s time to walk through it.

Part of that comes from having kids who have scattered and house projects that really shouldn’t be put off any longer.

And while I’m looking forward to more time for family and for myself, this was not an easy decision.

Working at the Tri-City Herald has been a privilege.

I’ve had the honor of discussing major issues with brilliant, eloquent, insightful people who truly want to improve the lives of others.

I’ve been a conduit for a variety of voices that have been published as letters to the editor and as guest columns.

I’ve worked with colleagues who amaze and inspire me with their dedication to the craft.

But perhaps most of all, I feel honored to have played a small part in helping the Herald continue to be a voice that represents Southeast Washington when so much of our state’s power and influence rests around Puget Sound.

The Herald has always had a strong editorial board and I wanted to keep that going.

I started at the Herald in 1987 as a college intern from Washington State University.

As luck would have it, the newsroom was looking for two reporters just as my internship ended and that’s how I slipped into my first job as a journalist.

Then, four years later and out of nowhere, I was asked to join the Herald’s Editorial Board.

It took me a while to get the knack of writing editorials, but I had fantastic mentors — retired Herald Editorial Page Editor Matt Taylor, retired Herald Publisher Jack Briggs and the late then-publisher Kelso Gillenwater were the best teachers anyone could have.

Eventually, though, my husband and I decided to start a family and I left the job to be a full-time mom. But over the years I would flit in and out of the Herald, helping out when people were on vacation or when a job needed to be filled temporarily.

Then, in July 2014, I was asked to come back and write editorials on a permanent, part-time basis. I’ve been writing part time ever since.

It’s been a terrific gig, and I will miss it.

The opinion page is where the dots are connected. It’s where issues are debated and solutions suggested.

It’s where facts add up to persuasion.

Whether or not readers agreed with our positions, we at least started a conversation.

I was grateful to those Tri-Citians who encouraged us and to those who criticized. At least they were engaged, which is what’s important.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge all the people who helped guide me in recent years. In addition to Matt Taylor and Jack Briggs, there is retired Herald Executive Editor Ken Robertson and retired Herald Managing Editor Rick Larson.

We’ve also had terrific community representatives on our edit board at various times, including Jason Hogue, Martin Valadez and Mike Paoli, who now resides in California. In addition, Lori Lancaster, manager of the Benton Franklin Fair, was an important part of the team for many years.

And then there’s my editor, Laurie Williams, whose suggestions always made an editorial better. Her support has been invaluable.

And to our letter writers and guest columnists — keep them coming.

The Herald’s opinion section will continue as long as there are readers who contribute to it. Send your letters and guest opinions to letters.tch@tricityherald.com.

Even in retirement, I’ll be interested in what you have to say.