Genghis Conn to retire CTLP?

From Chris Bigelow (aka Genghis Conn), owner and blogger of Connecticut Local Politics, has issued this notice today:

Hi everyone!

Many of you know this already, but I’ve made the decision to step away from writing CTLP. I will continue to write for and edit the site up through this coming Election Day, but after that I’ll step down, and go on into the next chapter of my life.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I do love this site, and I’ve put five years into it. But after a certain point I’ve felt I’m not putting the effort and energy into it that I have in the past, and I’ve realized that I need to step away from the political world for a little while.

It’s been a great five years here, and I’m really proud of everything we’ve done. I never expected the site to do as well as it has, and I’m both grateful for and humbled by all the opportunities it has afforded me.

I am also really hopeful that this site will continue to exist in one form or another after I go. The great community here deserves no less. I’ve already heard some great ideas, and I’m hoping to hear more over the next few weeks.

Thank you all for making this such a great place. And now, back to your regularly scheduled coverage.

Chris has always done an outstanding job running the site. He's successfully walked that fine line of allowing civil discourse to flow while keeping the discussions on topic and reasonably neutral politically.

But blogging is a very consuming activity, and despite developing the thick skin that often accompanies it, there is a point where it simply may become more trouble than it's worth. Chris has suffered ridiculous amounts of harassment by questionable characters from the political sphere. He's been the target of potentially frivolous lawsuits for things he didn't even write! When it becomes necessary to take full personal responsibility for what others write, oftentimes anonymous and cowardly others, it might be time for a respite. I can't blame him.

If Connecticut had awards for bloggers, there's no doubt that Chris Bigelow would have a bunch of them on his mantle piece.

Unless he doesn't have a fireplace. In that case they'd probably just be sitting on a bookshelf or the TV. Well, he could have a flat screen, so that might make it a bit difficult to balance them up there. Those things are made of solid brass probably, if they existed, and if dropped they can easily crush a toe. So for god's sake, be careful! They're not toys, you know. Better to leave them on the bookshelf.

Anyway, this is my way of saying "thanks, Chris". I recommend you go over there and say the same thing.

But leave out the part about the crushed toes.