One of my favorite movies is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s the fictional story of a composer who starts work as a high school music teacher in the 1960s to make ends meet. While not his desire for a career, he begins to care for teaching and his students over the decades.

The movie ends with Mr. Holland’s forced retirement in the 1990s. He spent his lifetime working in his free time on a musical composition that he thought would never be heard. He wasn’t entirely sure whether he had made an impact as a teacher.

But then he is led into an auditorium filled with former students and supporters who cheer him. Even the governor, a former student, is there to praise Mr. Holland.

“We are your symphony, Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. And we are the music of your life.”

With the announced retirement of WV MetroNews Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval and Nexstar Media Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis, I really hope they understand that with their time doing news in this state that we have all been touched. We have all become the notes in the symphony they have conducted during their careers here.

Hoppy’s career in West Virginia radio spans nearly 50 years, with more than 30 years hosting Talkline. Mark has 38 years in the TV and radio business, but his career in West Virginia started about 10 years ago. Mark hosts Inside West Virginia Politics on Nexstar stations in West Virginia.

Both have added to the wealth of public knowledge. If you were a major politician, you often went to Hoppy first before anyone else. But as a reporter, you could easily understand why. Hoppy is unflappable. He is fair and evenhanded. And he is simply the best in the business. He has interviewed everyone, from local third-party candidates with no chance, to U.S presidents, treating both exactly the same.

Mark can also be disarming, which is probably one of the best traits a reporter can have, especially when breaking big stories. When Mark comes at you with hard questions, you don’t see him coming. Mark’s reporting recently led to the forced retirement of former Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper, who had been a driving force in local and state politics for decades.

I’m honored to consider both Hoppy and Mark friends, colleagues, and mentors. Those of us who cover politics and government will try to fill the hole they are leaving behind, but we can never wear their shoes. I wish them both well in retirement.

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We now know who incoming Senate President Randy Smith, R-Tucker, has chosen as the next Senate Majority Leader: state Sen. Patrick Martin, R-Lewis.

I don’t have much to report on Martin outside of what I wrote last week regarding his background. He is a relatively quiet person and not known for his speeches. His bio page on the Legislature’s website shows he was the lead sponsor of six bills during the 2024 period.

In his statement last week, Smith called Martin a “hidden gem.” Time will tell if he will be strong as a diamond or brittle as sandstone.

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Still no word from Governor-Elect Patrick Morrisey on major cabinet appointments. I had been told that one of the biggest issues for the Morrisey transition team was in cabinet secretary recruitment. There can be several factors for that, including pay. If you’re trying to recruit someone qualified out of the private sector, it could well mean taking a pay cut.

The salary issue won’t be a hindrance for all, but it can certainly be a hindrance for some. Speaking as someone who worked in state government, don’t fool yourself into think people take these jobs for the money. It is very much a public service performing the duties required in state governance. Heck, everyone forgets that members of the Legislature are part-time and have to take leave from their private sector jobs for the annual 60-day session.

I suspect we will begin seeing some appointment announcements very soon.

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Speaking of lawmakers, expect some members of the state Senate and House of Delegates to leave for positions in the incoming Morrisey administration. That will create some issues for the Legislature depending on how quickly new members can be appointed.

On the Senate-side, state Sen. Mark Hunt, R-Kanawha, will be resigning to begin serving as State Auditor. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Trump, R-Morgan, has already stepped down to take his seat on the state Supreme Court of Appeals.

On the House-side, there could be a vote taken on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to expel Delegate Joseph de Soto, who is sitting in the regional jail on a $300,000 bond after threatening several lawmakers over a close-door caucus vote to move forward with an expulsion vote over serious questions about de Soto’s resume.

De Soto was elected as a Republican in Berkeley County, but the same day he was arrested he switched his registration to Democrat. Based on past precedence, I believe a Democrat will have to be appointed to replace him if an expulsion vote is successful.

Between all the new lawmakers who will be seated next month and the various new appointments, there will be a learning curve early on during the 60-day legislative session.

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In closing, have a very merry Christmas and enjoy what is left of this holiday season. I remain very thankful for every reader.