With apologies to David Letterman, here are the Top 10 Reasons David Toscano is leaving Charlottesville City Council, according to Kay Slaughter.

For those who believe all the items they read on this website, please note that EXCEPT FOR NUMBER 1 REASON, the top ten are offered as an appreciative "roast" of David.

10. He wants to stroll from his home near Park Street without hearing shouts from angry drivers about the curving lines and traffic calming devices.

9. David wants to get to bed before midnight on Monday nights.

8. David wants to play golf at Meadowcreek Golf Course without having to defend the Meadowcreek Parkway.

7. David wants to be able to exercise his First Amendment rights on the Free Speech Chalkboard to say all the things he's wanted to say but hasn't for the past 12 years.

6. David wants to enjoy dinners in Downtown outdoor cafes without having to respond to all the passers-by who ask when Oliver Kuttner's building will be finished.

5. David, currently petless since his beloved dog Lucky died a few years ago, wants to get a new dog to walk in Riverview park without a leash . . . let's see, can he do it Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, or is it Thursday, Friday and Saturday ?

4. David plans to move to the County, get elected to the Board of Supervisors and vote to annex the County to the City.

3. David plans to revive the Citizens' Party and, following Barry Commoner's approach, run for Virgil Goode's seat in 2002.

2. David wants to abandon coat and tie, SUV and respectable politican's life to grow a beard and start riding a bike on all the bike paths he helped create around town.

BUT THE NUMBER 1 REASON DAVID TOSCANO IS LEAVING CITY COUNCIL IS:

MATTHEW TOSCANO IS 4 YEARS OLD.

Kay Slaughter (electronic mail, February 24, 2002)