Many motorists cruising through Ironton’s streets have seen Lawrence County Commissioner Les Boggs jogging along at a brisk pace, looking as if he is training for a marathon.

Although he will tell you that he is running to stay in shape and because he enjoys it, I know the truth.

He is scared. Absolutely shaking in his Nikes.

Boggs is trying to get ready to back up his bravado and hoping his basketball game matches his trash talking.

But don’t worry, there is no animosity here. It’s all for a good cause.

On March 27, the Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities will host its annual March Madness basketball event that allows the men and women of Tri-State Industries, Inc. to play against members of the media and others.

If you have never attended this event, you are missing out on an exhibition that showcases pure joy and is guaranteed to make you smile.

This year, there will be a twist and a challenge — in large part thanks to Boggs.

Some people think the media and politicians are often at odds with one another.

On that Tuesday we will be.

The Lawrence County Elected Officials will field a team that will include commissioners, the sheriff, a judge or two and others. They will face a team from The Tribune.

The winner takes all.

OK, that’s just hyperbolic bluster. The winner really doesn’t take anything at all.

But the losing team will donate $500 to the board for its programs. The winning team will only have to put up $250.

This was the brainchild of Boggs and stems from some good-natured trash talking.

Our goal is to have fun, build relationships within the community and raise some money for a great cause.

Afterwards The Tribune and Officials teams will join forces to take on the TSI All-Stars.

Having participated in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month for nearly a decade, I have seen first-hand how important it is.

These men, women and children are people like all of us. They have dreams and emotions and feelings.

So we will have fun playing in these charity games, knowing that we are helping raise awareness and supporting a great cause.

So Boggs can keep training all he likes and we will give it our all.

Don’t let the scoreboard confuse you. This is one game where everyone wins.

 

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeCaldwell_IT.