.....1. How did you discover Cybertown? I 'discovered' Cybertown in June of 1998 when a group of friends from Pointworld were contacted by Pascal, aka SFX, to come and explore a 3D virtual reality world that he and Hawk, the two original Founders, had made. It was called Colony City.

There were about 50 of us from Pointworld and we all flocked here and moved into homes. What a strange and exciting place! There were only about 5,000 people in this community when I first strolled into town! I wasn't exactly sure what I had stumbled onto but I knew immediately that I wanted 'in' on this gig!

.....2. How did you get to the position of Cybertown Mayor?

As a 'newbie' I started like everyone else but you have to remember that there were very few people and it felt to me that it was like the Old West in that it seemed to lack structure. Guy, my very dear friend, was elected by us Point Worlders to represent our input and was placed as Mayor by the Founders. I was Neighborhood Leader of a small community I later changed the name of it to Real Places. Soon afterwards I was appointed, by Guy, as Colony Leader of a new colony called Virtual Worlds where I served as C/L for about a year. After writing many documents and guidelines and becoming a vocal participant in the political structure of Colony City, Guy named me as his Deputy Mayor. I can still hear him say to me,

"Let the revolution begin."

What a time it was if you had the gumption to step up to the plate! We had ourselves a ball! Writing proposals, passing out jobs like they were candy. We were like in the center of a hurricane and were busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest!

I served under Guy as his C/L and Deputy Mayor for about a year. Prior to his stepping down as Mayor, he nominated me to succeed him as Mayor. The City Council voted me as the new Mayor and I was approved by the Founders for this position. I officially took office in June of 1999.

.....3. What are planning to do now?

As is my nature, I will continue to serve the community as a newly appointed City Advisor. I would like to continue to write for the CVN and also lend a hand where ever possible.

I owe the city and especially Hawk, our Founder, all that I can do as I have always felt that the city has given me more than I could ever repay.

.....4. What were the advantages and disadvantages of being the Mayor?

Advantages: Being able to get the job done with the aid of trusted Council and my dear, close friend and Deputy Mayor, crashdummy, whose sense of reason is based upon his love for people and his real life experiences. Disadvantages: Being the target for all that is perceived as wrong with Cybertown by those who feel the 'need' to justify their own lack of participation by screaming 'fire' in a crowded theater and not being able to respond because all citizens have a right to privacy and confidentiality.

.....5. In one sentence what is your advice to Lady Liz?

"Never kick an ostrich while its laying an egg."

.....6. What things are you most proud of accomplishing while being mayor?

The current social and economical structure. The conception and reality of C.E.R.B. The streamlining of communication. The appointments of key people to key positions. The monthly Town Meetings. The Cybertown Leaders Code of Ethics. Developing a continuous, positive working relationship with Council for the betterment of the citizens of Cybertown based upon mutual respect. Having a close, personal relationship with Hawk. Cybertown has given me, a regular guy, the opportunity to rise within the ranks of its structure and for that alone I am forever grateful.

.....7. How many hours a week did you log onto Cybertown and what was a typicalday as Mayor?

As Mayor, I received as many as 150 e-mails a day. All of which needed to be answered.

I wake up at 3 a.m. and start answering mail. By 6:30a.m. I am getting ready to go to work. After eight hours of employment I am back to administrating to the needs of the city. Contacting Council members, working with CT security matters, reading proposals, organizing Council agendas, keeping current with the Founders, discussing matters with department chiefs and generally administrating to the needs of the city as any Mayor, in any real life town, would. I log into the city everyday but many times I am unable to 'chat' as I am checking access troubles, addressing security problems etc. As Mayor, the time you get to spend in the city just 'hangin' is limited as there are only so many hours in a day.

Many people don't understand, or are unwilling to understand, that to govern a community of over 75 thousand takes away from your 'chatting' time and want to believe it as a sign of disinterest. My true friends know of my commitment to our community and how much time and effort I spend and continue to spend.

I have spent the last three years governing our community in one aspect or another and have loved every minute of it, well almost every minute, and since I rarely, if ever, complain or make excuses, my hope is that people can eventually understand this. Many of the candidates in our recent election declared that they will spend 'a lot more time' with the people in chat areas. In my view they either don't appreciate the time involved in administration or they have the means to support themselves and CAN devote all day, everyday, in their pursuit of chat. I, unfortunately, have to continue to support my family with fulltime employment which, by the way, continues to eliminate about ten hours a day from the established 24 hour timetable. Lucky for me, I only require about 4-5 hours per day to sleep!

.....8. How do you think Cybertown will change for you now that you aren't Mayor?

It will change in that I will have more time to chat! :o)
There is also the possibility that I won't be kidnapped by the Morphs again!
What an experience THAT was!

.....9. What was it like being a public figure for all of Cybertown?

To say that I did not enjoy being in the spotlight would be untrue. I have done a commercial for German T.V. I was interviewed by the New York Times and had my article published, I had a professional photographer come to my house for a photo session for an article published in a German magazine, I did a kiosk advertisement for a German airline about our 3D world, I have personally met several times with our Founders, Hawk and SFX, and have also met my dear friend and your Deputy Mayor, crashdummy. To be honest, I loved that part!

.....10. What was the funniest thing that happened to you as Mayor?

So many things that it's hard to point to one situation. Having crashdummy as my deputy is always a treat as his humor is razor sharp and we both cracked up at many, many situations. I guess you will have to stay tuned to the CVN as I write down different situations that were really funny. I have been asked to write a book to recount my experiences from the last three years and I can assure you that there are plenty of humorous situations. Many of the people who are reading this article will be included as I have met so many wonderful people in our community whose humor and ability to laugh at themselves is an inspiration to us all.

"..what a group.."

.....11. Did you sleep with Monica Lewinsky? ... just kidding...

....."I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

12. What will you miss most when leaving the position behind? I suppose the thing I will miss the most is being in the position of calling the shots on a day to day basis. Being Mayor is something that I truly loved doing. I guess you could say that it was 'in my blood' to do this and although at times it was not always easy to put the needs of the city first, I tried my best to live up to the expectations of not only the Founders and citizens of Cybertown, but myself as well.

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone for all of their support and my term as Mayor has truly been one of the highlights of my life.