In this corner....

Yes, the rumors are true.

I've pulled my papers for Board of Selectman on Nantucket.

I have a great deal of respect for anyone who offers himself or herself up for public service and public scrutiny. I have become an avid student of town politics, reading and writing about Nantucket every day on my website, yackon.com and in my column in the Nantucket Independent.

My views and ideas about this island are a long-standing public record. I am a very known quantity as a candidate.

I believe I bring a spirit of openness and communication to the board that is a continuation of what Michael Kopko started and I feel that honest debate of real solutions is needed on the board. We have some tough decisions to make. Decisions that have been put off or avoided for years here.

I also recognize my shortcomings. I’m a passionate guy. I may upset the apple cart from time to time. This might make for messy meetings.

What's that old saying? "To make an omelet, you've got to break a few eggs?"

Well, if I run (and I'm still a little unnerved at the idea, so we won't know if I'm running until I actually turn my signatures in) eggs will get broken. I can promise you that.

In addition to being a smart, committed, and prepared selectman, I'll also bring a sense of humor to the board. Good government, I believe, needs to have an element of good theater. People need to be motivated to pay attention, and think and open themselves up to new ideas.

My training as an adman has helped me learn how and why people behave the way they do, and the hot buttons that help them to act in a positive fashion.

Let the button pushing begin.