“So long, and thanks for all the fish” is a humorous idiom used to say goodbye, acknowledging the positive experiences received during the time spent. This comes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a fantasy where dolphins used the phrase as they left Earth just before it was destroyed.“The dolphins had long known of the impending demolition of Earth and had made many attempts to alert mankind to the danger. But most of their communications were misinterpreted as amusing attempts to punch footballs, or whistle for titbits, so they eventually gave up…”With Gratitude#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');As I step back from writing a column for the Del Norte Triplicate, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share my insights on local issues. I want to thank the series of editors for Country Media Inc. that I have worked with along the way, including Dan Schmidt, David Rupkalvis, David Thornberry and Joe Warren.It was Dan Schmidt who first approached me in 2022 inviting me to participate in a dueling banjos counter column with Roger Gitlin. I was surprised when he said that Gitlin recommended me for this assignment. I am not sure if Roger regrets this suggestion, but I thank him for the introduction.In the process of researching and writing my columns I have learned more detailed information about a variety of subjects that I would not have otherwise gleaned from regular news sources. This was its own reward. Thanks for ReadingI want to thank all the people who have read my columns, starting with my wife and senior editor Jill Dovre. Every week Jill reads multiple drafts of my column to ensure that it is ready to share with the world. Over the years I have occasionally received appreciative and supportive responses to my columns including emails from people who do not live in Del Norte County. This positive feedback has always been appreciated. If I inspired one person to get involved with changing the world for the better, it was all worth it. Unresolved IssuesMany of the issues that I have written about remain unresolved, including the future of economic development, housing shortages, unrestricted vacation rentals, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, climate change, extreme weather, drought, wildfires, insurance cancellations, offshore wind, and looming local, state and federal budget deficits.There is cause for pessimism, but we must persevere. I encourage responsible citizens to continue to pay attention to what’s going on. Stay involved, be informed, show up, speak up and vote!I am not sure if my advocacy has had any effect, but I tried to help people be more aware of how government agency’s decisions affect them. I will continue to inform myself and remain active in supporting policies and programs that improve people’s lives, but I will let others write about it, for now. Kevin Hendrick is a 31-year resident of Del Norte County. kevinjameshendrick@gmail.com googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });