Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Lots to be thankful for this year. We send our best wishes to the Bloggin' community!

I'm in Wilmington. Michelle and I were up early this morning holiday shopping. I am amazed that my daughter Elle responds to Elmo in such an excited way. You could slap a picture of Elmo on anything and she'd instantly be fascinated. There is some popular cultural-imperialistic-consumptive addictive aura about Elmo...... (could be a topic for a former commissioner after Dec. 6th!) I can do a pretty good Elmo imitation, but I have to resist the dark side..... Give thanks to God instead for a life and family instead.

Take care

Kay Cashion is Commissioner-Elect for District 6 and "loose ends"!

I have known Kay since I've been in Greensboro. She's been a stalwart in the Democratic Party. She will take office on December 6th. The fun is about to begin for Kay! haha. (Little known fact: Her former husband Sonny Cashion was my batting coach over at Guilford College during my baseball days!) I wish her well.

The new Board will have many challenges and opportunities and I will do all I can to support them. I will take part in the current Board's meeting before the new Board is sworn in. At that point, I will be sworn in as Register of Deeds and then swear in my staff in the Deeds office.

I have been tying up loose ends at Guilford College. My last day will be this Friday the 19th. I have really enjoyed my time at Guilford as Assistant Director of Admissions. I have worked with a tremendous staff I admire and have great admiration for.

Mrs. Payne and I met for the first time after the election on Friday. I will be meeting with her senior staff on Monday, November 22nd. I believe we both want to have a smooth transition. I will also be attending the NC Register of Deeds School November 30th-Dec. 1st.

I'm getting anxious to get started!

The period of transition begins.... from Commissioner to Deeds

There will be a meeting this coming Thursday night at Democratic HQ at 7 pm (off Wendover Ave.) to select my successor on the Board of Commissioners. As reported in the N & R, 3 candidates have declared to this point. I have a great deal of respect for the candidates. JP McIntyre is a friend and my campaign manager in my 2002 re-election campaign. He would be a great choice. I also know Kay Cashion and Owen Lewis as well. Whoever wins, I feel like any one of them would represent District 6 well.

I also have a scheduled meeting with Lee Payne as we move forward toward a transition in the Deeds office. We both want it to be "seamless" and I look forward to meeting employees, etc.

I will be serving out this year on the Board of Commissioners until the new board is installed December 6th. My major concern was not to stand in the way of appointing the new commissioner. After checking with our county attorney, there will not be a problem and I'll be around for the Billboard debate next week!

We Win and Many Thanks to ALL!

Our campaign was a winner! I appreciate all the work from SO MANY people who came in and helped us get over the top---my wife Michelle, Elle (she came out of the bullpen at 5 pm and was my closer!) Jeff Kerrigan, campaign manager and I'll have a longer list later because I'm wiped out!

We won some and lost some on all levels. I wish the winners the best as we seek to move our communities and nation forward....