Thank You, Urbandale and See Ya Around Town

In September, Urbandale Patch will be a year old. Like you, I will be celebrating this Patch birthday as a loyal reader.

Because this is my last week as Urbandale Patch Editor. Next week, I will be starting a new job as managing editor for the Business Record in Des Moines.

I'm looking forward to a new challenge. It's just too bad I have to leave Patch to take it. When my new boss was interviewing me, he asked me what was the most fun job I'd ever had. I didn't even hesitate -- no question, it's been this one.

What Patch is doing is exciting, and risky and continually evolving. You may or may not know that Urbandale Patch isn't alone. It's one of more than 850 websites across the country -- free, hyperlocal news and community platforms that are edited by local editors, who have the added benefit of the expertise and knowledge and technology of our parent company, Aol.com.

Patch is trying to create something that hadn't existed. Something that meets people's needs for information and community where they live. I hope it succeeds. You can help that by making Urbandale Patch your own. Go Patch!

The company is looking for my replacement, and as soon as that editor is on the job, I hope you'll be as welcoming, helpful and engaged with them as you have been to me.

The past year has given me a great gift - the chance to get connected to Urbandale. Although I lived here for a dozen years, I never truly felt a part of Urbandale. I worked in Des Moines, my kids went to school in West Des Moines and Des Moines, and I couldn't take the time to get involved locally.

I'll be leaving Patch, but I won't be leaving Urbandale. I'll be a loyal reader of Urbandale Patch. (Sign up for the daily newsletter with the previous day's headlines, that's what I'll be doing. I'll be commenting and may even decide to become one of the site's 'Local Voices'!) I also hope to stay involved with the Urbandale's Fourth of July Committee.

I'd like to end this editor's note with a gentle reminder about how lucky Urbandale residents are. I've been a reporter and editor for nearly 30 years, so I've had some experience with public officials and community leaders. I can honestly say that Urbandale has some of the best:

Ross McCarty is a police chief who cares about his community and who doesn't see two kinds of people -- law-abiding and law-breaking. I found him to be a man who acts honestly and with integrity, as well as a smart administrator who's creating a top-notch police department.

You may not know A.J. Johnson, but as city manager, he quietly keeps Urbandale government rolling efficiently. He sets the tone for city employees who save routinely tax dollars and provide excellent customer service. I'm not sure that A.J. gets all the credit for this (I suspect it's developed over time and been fostered by city officials) but Urbandale government is amazingly open and transparent. I have yet to be stonewalled or be denied any request I made for information.

Doug Stilwell is a school superintendent who has a passion for finding the most effective way to teach students. His Quality Learning approach is allowing teachers to empower Urbandale students, learn new ways to teach and learn themselves. He works amazingly hard and understands systems and how to make them better.

Community leaders like Mary Polson, Bruce Bernard, Kris Winter, and the volunteers who operate Urbandale Community Action Network. Eileen Boggess and the people who operate the Urbandale Food Pantry. The dozen or so volunteers who every year put on an amazing Fourth of July celebration. The business leaders who make Urbandale's Chamber of Commerce THE chamber to join in the metro area. And the hundreds of parents and residents who give their time and talents to Urbandale's youth sports organizations.
There is a spirit of volunteerism in Urbandale that is rare. Many towns would look to their government to do these things. Urbandale residents just roll up their sleeves.

Thank you for the privilege of letting me get to know you, Urbandale. See ya' around town.