This is my final column as your state representative from the 87th Ohio House District.

I want to say thanks to God for giving me the health and the ability to serve, including the nearly 17 years that I went with perfect attendance at the Statehouse. I also want to thank my wife, Lynley, and my sons, as well as my extended family for supporting me in my efforts to serve.

My thanks go out to all of the voters and citizens who allowed me to represent them.

Almost all of the ideas that I put forward in legislation came from constituents like you. I met some amazing people during my time in office.

They include the man who got up early in the morning to come from Huntington to Columbus in a wheelchair on a Greyhound bus just to talk to me about his disability, the mother who did not want to sign custody of her son over to the government in order to receive care, and the families and communities of loved ones who had died in the line of service for our country.

I could never have dreamed of the many opportunities that I have experienced. I always welcomed being challenged because it helped me to grow and learn.

My colleagues in the legislature are to be commended for sharing their perspectives and allowing me to learn from them.

Also, I also want to thank the media for allowing me to share my stories and report on what is going on in Columbus.

The newspapers and radio stations are privately owned, and they are not required to print anything that I do or say, but all of the local media members whom I have dealt with over the years have been very professional.

Their job is not to agree with me or make me look good, but to share my perspective, and they have been very generous to me.

Finally, I want to thank my staff. Kendra Kromer is my legislative aide, and Bevan Schneck edits my columns and makes helpful suggestions. I started writing columns for Congressman Clarence Miller many years ago and have not stopped.

It has been a privilege. I enjoy writing them, and I am glad that so many of you took the time to read them.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and it is my hope that 2012 will bring peace, prosperity and happiness to each and every one of you.

 

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.