Signing off, but only for a little while

"... a reasonable guy whose reasonable columns are a paean to reason in a reasonable society in which reason has reasonably lost its ability to reason its way out of a reasonable quandary in a reasonable manner."

- Columnist Dave Addis, writing about Yours Truly, in 2004

Ah, that Dave. Even when my (since-retired) colleague was making fun of somebody, he usually revealed a whole lot of truth. And I'm no exception.

My crime? My dastardly distinction? My inconceivable infraction? Trying to turn down the volume a bit as a columnist, exploring various sides of an issue, and then coming to a conclusion that acknowledges that life is often gray.

I plead guilty to being so "reasonable."

Since 2000, I've relished this prime real estate every Saturday on The Pilot's op-ed page. I've written hundreds of columns. I've enjoyed tremendous freedom to explore a range of topics affecting the region, the state, and - occasionally - the nation.

From advocating red-light cameras at local intersections, to finding shelter for the homeless of Hampton Roads; from decrying handgun violence that's killed so many young black men, to urging tax hikes instead of cuts in services; from musing on the Chesley Trio - they make me proud - to wondering about the lack of public pools.

I questioned the police raid of a suspected drug dealer in Chesapeake that left an officer shot dead. I said folks driving through Virginia should "hold it," and state officials shouldn't rush to spend money to reopen shuttered highway rest stops.

Why do motorists persist in using cell phones while behind the wheel? Why shouldn't the Catholic Church ordain married and female priests? Why did a drunken illegal immigrant cause so much outrage when he killed two teens in the Beach, yet other intoxicated drivers - who happen to be U.S. citizens - don't?

When I missed a column on a Saturday, my fellow parishioners would chide me for the absence on Sunday. I'd patiently explain that, as the associate editor, I also wrote editorials, edited the op-ed page, selected editorial cartoons and took over for the editorial page editor when he was out. They didn't really care about all that.

I won't have that excuse any more.

This is my final column in this spot. Within the next few weeks, I will debut as a metro columnist, parked on the front of the Hampton Roads section. Soon, my 50-year-old mug will greet - or haunt - readers three times a week. (Hopefully, the advertising staff has been warned.)

It will be a more prominent platform than I've had on the op-ed page. My charge will be to concentrate on local and state issues, and I'll consider it a success if that reporting/commentary improves conditions for the residents here, exposes wrongdoing or informs readers about things they weren't aware of. It's a great opportunity.

I'll be following in the footsteps of Kerry Dougherty, the current metro columnist, who also migrated from The Pilot's editorial page. I have more than a hunch, though, that we'll often have different viewpoints about the issues of the day.

Reasonably speaking, of course.

Roger Chesley is ending a stint as associate editor of The Pilot's editorial page. Reach him at (757) 446-2329 or roger.chesley@pilotonline.com.