After 44 years, my friend, colleague and mentor David W. Jones retired last Friday from The News-Herald.

Dave’s unique Sunday column was a must read each week for political insiders and others curious about the ongoings of the political machines in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties.

Read his final column by clicking here.

His column was an entertaining and unique blend that included gossip, speculation and listing of political events for readers to peruse each Sunday.

He had a great sense of the political pulse of the county and we’ll miss his institutional knowledge — something that cannot be replaced.

But to help fill this void, we’ve decided to offer our readers something new each Sunday as I will author a political notes column to run in our Comment section in print and in the Opinion section on our website.

It will be different in nature, of course, because no one can fully step into the shoes of someone like Dave Jones.

However, many elements such as fundraisers, endorsements and other items will continue.

So if you have any political tips that would be appropriate to pass along for my column, please feel free to send them to me.

-- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com