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"Hello. At 8 o'clock last night, in the midst of a presentation on school redistricting frameworks, I finally honestly admitted to myself that I was sitting some place where I really don't want to be nine months from now. I put down my pen and stopped taking notes for most of the next three hours. That is why there is no report here about last night's six-hour Albemarle County School Board meeting. It's also why I am no longer a candidate for another term on this board. To be completely candid, I must admit that I've been seriously thinking of making this decision and an announcement about it for about a week now - ever since I noticed that April Fool's Day was almost upon us. No joke. I was actually considering making this announcement next Tuesday, April 1, but there is no reason to wait. I will officially terminate my status as a candidate for re-election when I file the next campaign finance disclosure report due on April 15. To those of you who have already signed my ballot petitions for this fall's election, I thank you - and also apologize for not actually using the signatures you willingly shared with me. I do intend to complete my full term on the Board which runs through December 31, 2003. I will do my best to serve any and all constituents to the best of my ability through that date, but my decision not to seek a second term is final. To those of you who are reporters, this is all you get. Use all, nothing, or any part of this final Constituents' Report as you so choose. Feel free to call or e-mail, but you won't get anything more from me than what's right here right now. This decision is mine and mine alone. Not even my family knows anything about this - they're all asleep. (After all, it's 1:30 a.m. as I write this.) It will be interesting to see what is written or said about my decision not to seek another term given the fact that only three folks - me, myself, and I - know the truth. Sincerely, to those of you who have supported my efforts on behalf of the students of the Albemarle County Public Schools for the past three-plus years, THANK YOU. To those who may think I'm a jerk or hate my guts, I wish you improving days. I'm at peace with myself. To those of you who intend to vote this November, it is my most heartfelt hope that you will elect a young, thrifty, hard-questioning, information-loving, technology-savvy person of color as the next At-large member of the Albemarle School Board. That's who I'm currently looking for as a candidate and who I will help and support in any way possible, if afforded the opportunity. That's it. Thanks for reading this far. Now, on to whatever's next. Respectfully, Gary Grant
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