ANDREA HOPKINS: Bidding Farewell To One Career To Pursue Another

For four years, I’ve been the guardian of this newspaper’s editorial page – a unique position of trust.

I’ve celebrated the region’s successes, prodded the powerful to do the right thing and relished the opportunity to share my own thoughts. Now, it’s time for goodbye.

I am leaving to chase a dream – the seeds of which were planted when I was a bookish 9-year-old thumbing through medical texts in the dusty alcoves of the Abilene (Texas) Public Library. With hard work and a bit of luck, I’m going to become a doctor.

It might sound trite, but I want to help people in a more direct way. I want to use my talents to change lives.

This isn’t a snap decision. It’s something that I’ve thought and prayed about for a couple of years. The timing never seemed right – until now. When God opens a door, it would be a sign of ingratitude not to walk through it.

So when the fall semester begins, I will be a biology student at East Tennessee State University. Soon after that, I will begin studying for the MCAT. If all goes well, I should be a full-fledged doctor by the time my eldest child graduates from high school.

Your positive thoughts, prayers and well wishes are welcome. Some readers will, no doubt, celebrate my departure. That’s their prerogative. But all that anger and hostility isn’t healthy.

Because news of my departure has leaked out in bits and pieces, I feel the need to set a few matters straight. Contrary to some of the rumors floating around Bristol, I wasn’t pushed out; managing editor Todd Foster isn’t going any where and the paper isn’t about to tilt hard to the political right. Look for this newspaper to remain fiercely independent, and to maintain its role as a zealous watchdog ready to uncover wrongdoing in high places.

I’m proud of my four years at the helm of the editorial page. This position gave me a megaphone and a chance to work for profound changes. Some of these efforts were successful; others not.

In particular, I am proud of my role in the debate over the coal-fired power plant in Wise County, my advocacy on a variety of health issues and my push for a public smoking ban in Tennessee, which with the help of many others, was ultimately enacted. I hope that Virginia will one day follow suit and outlaw most public smoking.

Meanwhile, it appears the coal plant will be built, although legal challenges are ongoing. However, state regulators did ratchet down the pollution limits allowed in the plant’s permit. It’s a small victory, but not an insignificant one for the health of those who will live closet to the plant.

As with the smoking ban, this tiny victory is not mine alone. Indeed, mine was just one of many voices raised to question the accepted wisdom.

In all matters, I followed my conscience – even when it wasn’t easy or popular. I expect my successor to do the same.

Before my stint as opinion page editor, I spent more than a decade as a news reporter, covering everything from city council meetings to court cases to car wrecks. Along the way, I met many interesting people, made a number of friends and found myself thoroughly involved in the life of Bristol.

Although I’m leaving the newspaper, I’m not leaving Bristol. This is home. It will remain so.

The Bristol Herald Courier has been a second home to me for 16 years. It will always be a part of me. But some dreams demand to be followed, even if the path is long and hard.

Andrea Hopkins is opinion editor of the Bristol Herald Courier. For another two weeks, she may be reached at ahopkins@bristolnews.com or (276) 645-2534.