Tag: writing
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A Letter to Dad, 11 Years Later
Dear Dad, It’s April 15. Hard to believe it’s been 11 years since I got the call that stopped me in my tracks. They held off on announcing my appointment as city manager that day, but you already knew it was coming. The mayor had tipped you off ahead of time—maybe that was your sign…
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Retirement? More Like Refirement: Making A Difference in Life 2.0
It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since I retired! But to me, retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about “refiring.” It’s not about sitting on the couch but finding fulfillment in meaningful work. After all, you gain so much knowledge and experience over a career—it would be a shame to let it go to…
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The True Cost of a Job Move: How Kingsport Stacks Up Against Nashville and Savannah
Recently, we were asked to evaluate a job move for a Kingsport employee considering opportunities in Savannah and Nashville. The key question: How much salary would it take to match a $50,000 income in Kingsport? We analyzed the core cities as well as surrounding suburbs that offer the best combination of affordability and top-rated public…
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From France with Love, Germaine Bus
One of the last articles I wrote must have sounded too much like a eulogy, because I got phone calls asking what happened. I said, “Oh, I’m sorry. Nothing happened. It was a milestone birthday and I’ve learned to tell people how you feel before you can’t.” When we moved to our home in 2002,…
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Catalyzing Kingsport: Strategic Responses to Demographic Shifts
Reflecting on the past year prompts us to delve into the underlying rationale behind the inception of the Move To Kingsport program, which began 24 years ago, predating the seismic shifts caused by the pandemic-driven “Great Relocation”. It was a proactive response by community leaders who foresaw our region grappling with a recurring issue seen…
Kingsport Spirit 