My final farewell is a message to the people of Middleburg, the Mayor and Town Council on which it has been my honor to serve.

We are blessed, once more, to have an excellent Mayor and Town Council, arguably the very best possible for the times we are living in and for the foreseeable future. They are all extremely hard working and very dedicated.

The town staff which includes the Middleburg Police Department has always been wonderful. They the town and its citizens their very best, not only because it's their duty, but with heart, because they care.

To the Mayor and Town Council, I truly admire each one of you for your different qualities and what you bring to the town. You listen to and respect one another and that is the key to success.

All the new young smart men who have joined the Council bring vitality to the group and constantly push for the future and good of the town. You have new and fresh ideas - not to mention an abundance of graphs and charts...

Now, ladies of the Town Council, I charge you with keeping the others in line with your town history and basic beliefs. You know when to say no to drawings of a too modern fox and when to say no to too much government regulation. You know how important it is to keep an eye on the budget - you were here during the lean years. You know what it took to get back to a healthy financial status. You were born and brought up here and you know what a true community we are and how it must remain.

As a taxpayer, you know I won't hesitate to come and complain any time the front door is open or speak up in the public comments period during meetings.

But as a former council member, I am always here for you - to lend an ear or help when I can.

Thank you for choosing me to fill the vacancy me these last couple of months. It is harder to say goodbye than the last time, which was after three terms and not just three months, but I can assure you this time it is for good!