I've been involved with 4x4Wire for 9.5 years now, and it has been an absolute blast! From the initial excitement of the launch, to the low points when we wondered how we'd pay the bills or if the site would even remain up, to the recent transformation using the portal - it has been one marvelous experience and really pushed me, forced me to learn, and fostered what will be life-long friendships (online and in the real world).

Our Staff has always been top-notch. We've tried to remain transparent in discussing the site since we've never really had anything tangible to give to Staff other than a sense of involvement and ownership, and Staff has always provided excellent input, suggestions, and ideas. This site would have collapsed years ago had it not been for the effort you and your predecessors have put in to keep it engaging for us and for our Readers.

There have been numerous memorable episodes, some hilarious and some somber. Most profoundly, I am grateful to have known and befriended Phil Roemer, our Toyota Staffer and Moderator, who passed away March 7, 2003.

All that being said, it is finally time for me to move on, and thankfully the site is in John's superb hands. John has a vision and he is executing on it, and he is providing excellent leadership - all of which is positioning 4x4Wire for another successful 10 years. I hope I've put the infrastructure in place to allow John and all of you to fully realize his vision.

I need to free up time to pursue some of the other interests I have, namely my wife <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, my Cruiser, helping out pit bull rescues, and just enjoying life. I haven't set a firm date, I intend to work through the impending server migration and document whatever John needs, then drift away............

I thank each of you for your involvement and for making this such a rewarding experience!

Thank-you for your dedication to 4x4Wire over the years.

I agree it has been a learning experience and I have learned a lot. It has been a struggle with good and bad times.

I believe the core infrastructure is in place to carry the site forward. And, Joe has been to sysadmin glue that has kept things together and moving.

Best of luck in your pursuit of new interests. Family comes first and is something that needs to be attended with priority.

Thanks for your dedication and support.

Gimme a minute to pick myself up off the floor...

Thanks for everything, Joe. We will miss you.

x2 Joe, thank you for welcoming this lil shadetree monkey to the back room.

Tho' not much of a geek, thank you also for the Linux inspiration. I'll get there!

Yes, your family and your higher causes deserve your attention. May all prosper!!!

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

OK, are you saying you'll still be on the forums just not as staff or are you going bye bye completely?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

I hope its the first since even if you're not staff you're still an great member that can add to the whole 4x4wire experience.

Of course, family should always come first. As for those other interests... well, we'll have to agree to disagree <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I'm kidding about that of course.

Regardless, thanks for all the help through the years Joe & I do hope you stick around but just with fewer responsibilities.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Going to miss you here Joe.

But I hope we continue to stay in contact and visit every so often..

Certainly we have a common bond in learning through Tess, our rescue dog, just how loveable (and maligned) pits in general can be...

Joe, you are the reason why I came here in the first place, and I have enjoyed getting to know you a bit over the last decade... still wish we could sit and have a beer, but maybe someday?

Enjoy life, but keep us in the loop, eh? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for everything you've done to keep this alive over the years. The Medicated Toyota Moderator got me involved here, but I stayed in large part because of you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Take care Joe......Be cool....Mike <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />

Joe, thanks for everything you've done for the site, and more importantly, me. You've gone out of your way to help me in person before and I really appreciate it.

I really hope you stick around as an active forum member. Your an icon of 4x4wire, I hope that stays the same.

Good luck with your personal plans. I've thought about helping out with rescuing dogs myself. I think the hardest part would becoming attached to them and having to give them up. I think I'd find myself with a house FULL of dogs.


Next time you come through Cincinnati let's go wheeling