Well, that’s it South Whidbey. My time here has come to an end. This is my last column as editor of The Record.

Skipping all the boring details, the economics of the newspaper industry were especially challenging this year and Whidbey News Group — the entity that encompasses The Record and sister paper the Whidbey News-Times — needed to do some belt tightening. Many options were discussed, but in the end I raised my hand. I believe it was the right decision. It preserved the job of a colleague(s) and, more importantly, ensured the two papers will remain vital sources of information in their respective communities.

It’s not all bad news, however. The Record is losing one editor, but in another way is gaining three more. Keven Graves, has been and remains the publisher and executive editor of both papers. He’s been in newspapers for 30 years, the past five of which have been at the helm of Whidbey News Group’s award-winning titles. You can expect to see his continued involvement and commitment to excellence in his publisher’s columns, editorials and overall direction.

News assignments will now be handled by Jessie Stensland, a co-editor of the News-Times. She’s been at the paper for 20 years and is the one of the best journalists I know. But don’t just take my word for it. She’s received the coveted Washington journalist of the year award three times by the Washington Newspaper Publisher’s Association. She also worked with Jim Larsen for years, earning both his respect and praise. That makes it pretty much gospel in my book.

Finally, News-Times co-editor Megan Hansen will be helping out as well. Special sections, pagination, reporting, assisting readers: she’ll be doing a bit of it all.

Suffice to say, in this team you can trust.

As for me, all I can say is, “Thanks.” Being editor of The Record was one of the great privileges of my life. No joke. Bringing you the day’s news and recording a slice of this community’s history was, well, the honor was mine.

Thanks, South Whidbey. Play nice, and see ya around.