Somebody asked me today if I thought I would ever leave the Herald.

When I came here as editor four years ago, I thought I would be at this paper until I retired. I was wrong about that.

This is my last issue as editor, and that’s an announcement I make with decidedly mixed feelings.

I have enjoyed these four years. Being editor of the Herald meant being a steward for a paper that truly belongs to the community, and not the individual lucky enough to be sitting in this chair.

You, as a community, gave me so much of yourselves — your time, your energy, your wisdom and your experience — that I am wiser and richer for the experience.

No, we did not always agree. I am sure there are a few individuals who see my departure as a good thing. There are other people who have been kind enough to say that they enjoyed our time together — that the Herald is a better paper now than when I came.

Much as I would like to claim any credit, the truth is that I have been blessed by working with a talented publisher and staff who are passionate about this community and its newspaper. Their sense of integrity, and their quest for journalistic truth and excellence have taken the Herald to ever higher planes.

I could fill this space with names of individuals I am grateful to, but I can’t because there just isn’t room.

Among the best is Muriel Williams — who caught our errors, was a guiding force behind our 100-year anniversary Almanac and celebration — and who gives the very best candy and hugs of anybody I know.

Among the other unsung heroes in my life are my family. They put up with late dinners, no dinners, late nights, weekends, have come cheerfully with me when I was taking pictures and followed plenty of fire trucks with me. I appreciate all the times they were patient and the fact that they understood what “deadline” meant.

I also want to thank the ownership of this paper, Sound Publishing, which has given us the resources, the backing and the support to help the Herald become a better newspaper each year. You may never meet the folks in our classified, accounting, marketing, human resources, sales, technology or press production departments — to name a few — but they have been ever patient and helpful to us.

Another special thank you goes to our carriers. They work hard to get your newspaper to you in the rain, snow and even on sunny days when they would rather go fishing.

It’s a team at the Herald, and it’s a team that I will deeply miss.

Me, I’ll just be a few blocks up the hill. I am joining another talented team — the North Kitsap School District staff.

I’ve just been named their new Communications/Community Relations Coordinator, a challenging job I’m eager to take on.

Joe Irwin is moving into this chair. Most of you know him and the high-quality writing he’s done for the Herald for nearly four years. If anything, the Herald will be even better under his leadership — he’s a great guy and a committed community journalist.

I will miss you all. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives for the past four years. You’re in good hands.