Farewell, Sidney

The time has come for me to bid you all adieu.

I'm leaving Sidney to take a job in Bristol, Conn., with ESPN as a program assistant with the radio department. Before a couple of weeks ago, I had full intentions on staying in Sidney for a year or two. But then I received a call from an 860 area code.

For as long as I can remember, I've loved sports and loved watching ESPN. My mom was very protective of her son. The scope of mediated text I could consume was very very narrow.

I couldn't listen to certain music while she was around, I could not play certain video games, I had to go to different camps every summer. Whether it was tennis camp, the Houston Jazz workshop or Mario Ellie's basketball camp, I was always busy and couldn't stay inside and watch TV like my peers.

However, when I did watch TV there were a ridiculous amount of parental control locks on the tube. So basically all I watched was the Discovery Kids channel and ESPN. There are three subjects I have extensive knowledge about, music, animals and sports.

So you see this is somewhat of a dream come true. I never thought I would have the opportunity to work in an environment like ESPN so early in my life.

Before my senior year at Texas Southern University in Houston, I read a lot on the field of journalism. I read a lot of articles about constant layoffs and cutbacks. I found it wise to develop significant skills in my minor radio, television and film as a backup plan if anything were to go wrong.

I started out with the campus radio station. I learned a lot of skills there as well as in school taking various RTF classes that enabled me to spend hours creating and editing audio while programming radio boards.

That internship enabled me to get an internship with CBS Sports Radio the next semester. I received a file called the "NFL Black Book," which consisted of all NFL contacts in the media. It was given to me to use to book guest for the show. I spent weeks sending out resumes to every person in that file.

Finally I got am email from a manager at ESPN. We talked for an hour before one of my classes. He told me to apply for a job on the website. Months went by and I received a message saying I did not receive the job.

I later got an email from Sun-Telegraph publisher Rob Langrell about the chance to come out to Sidney to be a news reporter. I saw it as an opportunity and a much better job than working at Kroger's grocery store in Houston.

Two months into my career as a reporter, I received a call from the same manager. He expressed to me that he remembered me contacting him and admired my effort. He said that he had a position recently open and he wanted to know if was interested. The rest is history.

I didn't know what exactly to expect when I came to Sidney. I truly was out of my element. Coming from the fourth-largest city in America to a city with about 7,000 people was truly a change for me. Being a young African-American male, who for most of his life lived in a predominately African-American neighborhood and went to a HBCU (Historically Black College and University), it was truly a culture shock.

However, for the most part I've had nothing but positive experiences in this town. I have met a number of friendly people who displayed genuine hospitality. Everyone I have ever interviewed was extremely helpful and cooperative, I thank you all.

My guys I played basketball with at the Community Center were excellent stand out guys. Not only my teammates but opponents as well. I appreciated you all.

I want to thank Chief B.J. Wilkinson and the Sidney Police Department as well as Sheriff John Jenson and the Sheriff's Department. You all were helpful, professional and friendly. With everything going on in the country, I'd just like to say you guys are truly great at what you do and are the model of excellence for great law enforcement.

I'd like to thank all the members of the City Council who were so professional in everything they did. I appreciate all your kind words and funny weather jokes.

A special thanks goes out to City manager Gary Person, who saved me countless times. You were always very helpful and insightful. I appreciate having you here to help me grasp difficult jargon frequently expressed in city council meetings.

To the members of First United Methodist Church, I truly enjoyed being your drummer. I appreciate Pastor Tom Hyde and Lori Beach for inviting me into the church. You all were always smiling and friendly and I appreciate your hospitality.

Last but not least I'd like to thank all my co-workers. I know I'd normally just sit at my desk and put my headphones on, but you guys were a cool bunch of people. Thanks for welcoming into your office with open arms in smiling faces.

I just want to thank everybody who I had the pleasure of coming in contact with for the great memories.

Farewell, Sidney.