AJC’s Mike King writes final column

37-year AJC veteran says goodbye to his readers.

He goes out quoting Mark Twain:

Mark Twain famously said it was a terrible death to be talked to death. He also had this to say about journalists who feel compelled to write valedictories when they end their careers: “If there is anything more uncalled for … it is one of those tearful, blubbery, long-winded “valedictories” —- where a man who has been annoying the public for ten years can not take leave of them without sitting down to cry out a column and a half.”

My last day at the newspaper was Friday. It has been a pleasure over a 37-year career to have had a chance to annoy you, first as public editor and more recently as an editorial columnist, for the last eight years. Thanks to the newspaper for the platform and to you for reading.

King has been a familiar voice on education and issues affecting Cobb County, where he lives. Earlier this year, he penned a poignant column about his wife Anne’s sudden death. (In the interest of full disclosure: I went to high school with his children.)

If you want to get in touch with him, his personal e-mail is listed at the bottom of his final column.