So Long, Sarasota — Editor Says Goodbye

It is hard to believe that it has been one year. On Dec. 1, 2010, as an online news site focusing on the people, politics and events that define this southwest Florida city.

We've worked hard to be the place for comprehensive and up-to-the-minute local news for Sarasota.

Since the site went live, I have . I have covered some , and (Lego Man, anyone?).

Most important, I have grown to appreciate Sarasota as a fascinating place for news coverage and also as my home.

Today, however, will be my last day in Sarasota and last day as editor of Sarasota Patch.

Last month I made a difficult and bittersweet decision to take over the St. Pete Patch site for Patch and move to St. Petersburg.

While I am leaving, Sarasota Patch is not. It has taken root and will continue to grow and flourish – thanks to this community of readers.

Replacing me as editor is Charles Schelle. Charles is coming to SRQ from the Baltimore Sun Media Group. He can be reached at Charles.Schelle@patch.com with all your questions, press releases, letters to the editor, stories ideas and complaints … yes people do complain.

He’ll officially introduce himself on Monday as Sarasota Patch’s new editor. I’m confident that thanks to this great community, he’ll enjoy his tenure as editor as he comes to know this city.

Even though I’m moving 35 miles north, I won’t be too much of a stranger.

I’ll come back to visit the . I’ll come back for a cup of coffee at or dinner on the water at the . I’ll come back for the . I’ll come back for Sarasota.

Running this site and reporting in Sarasota is an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you very much for helping make this year of my life so memorable.

Thank you for your readership and interest in Patch. You, not me, have made Sarasota Patch a success. Without your support, the site would have never grown to the level of success it enjoys now.

Goodbye, Sarasota. I’ll see you again soon.

- William