Right from the start, let me introduce myself. I’m Richard Duvendeck and I want to get to know you — The Ironton Tribune readers.

I was thinking about a previous employer’s words the other day. When I left his establishment to come work for The Ironton Tribune he said, “Who knows, they may let you start writing for them some day.”

He knows all too well my gift of gab and my extreme interest in the two subjects that my parents always said would make me more enemies than friends: Politics and religion.

And since I was coming to work here as the home delivery manager, I thought my previous employer’s words were less prophetic than they were just complimentary.

I’d venture to say that even he didn’t believe it would ever happen. Well, here I am writing my first column for The Ironton Tribune and I am absolutely excited about it. All I can say is, “Dick, you were right!”

So, “what can I expect to be reading in this column each week,” you may ask?

Well, I describe myself as an evangelical, Ronald Reagan fan and a Republican. Therefore, you will likely be reading conservative views and commentary on political and religious issues as well as just observations on life.

I hope to offer a conservative alternative to other local contributors of this same page, thus creating a sense of balance to the newspaper.

Some of my opinions will be humorous, others may be enlightening, but I promise to always strive to be engaging.

I believe that honest, open debate is the foundation of our society and the strength of our government. As long as this debate does not come with slings and arrows of insult or ridicule, then I believe that it can be healthy. That said, I would love to hear feedback from you and have provided my e-mail address to encourage the open exchange of ideas.

Finally, just to clear the air, The Ironton Tribune does not compensate me in anyway to write this column. I am treated the same way as any other contributor to this newspaper’s editorial page. I write on my own time and submit all my columns from my home computer.

My employment in our circulation department as the home delivery manager has no involvement in our news department. Therefore, I have no influence over the news and I don’t sit on the editorial board, which makes endorsement decisions and writes the newspaper’s “Our View.”

My opinions are just that — my opinions. Neither The Ironton Tribune, nor its staff, necessarily agree with me.

With that said, I look forward to developing a long-standing relationship with the readers of The Ironton Tribune. I hope you get as much enjoyment from reading my column as I expect to receive from writing it.

Richard L. Duvendeck II is the home delivery manager at The Ironton Tribune. To reach him call (740) 532-1445 ext. 16 or by e-mail at rduvendeck@zoominternet.net.