I’m leaving.

Wait, hold the applause!

I’m not actually leaving the county, the state or even The Press.

Sorry, but I’m ignoring the advice of one critic who wrote: “Just go back where you came from!”

In fact, I arrived in Idaho from Manhattan, Kansas — but I doubt that an actual location was the point of the hostile email.

What’s happening is that I’m leaving this exact space, which was trailing vertically down the left side of the Local front each Friday.

Instead, I’m going horizontal... and there will be more of me.

No, shame on you, it’s not because I’ve gained weight.

Instead, readers will find a kinder and gentler opinion piece, several times per week across the top of the Local section front, beginning next Wednesday.

The column will be called A BRAND NEW DAY, and we think you’ll enjoy it.

EDITOR Mike Patrick and I have some proof that this format — engaging with readers and asking that you get involved — can be a solid success.

He was in charge in Provo, Utah, when I wrote five of these things every week, and local reaction was good enough that A BRAND NEW DAY wound up running across the bottom of the newspaper’s front page every Monday through Friday.

Yes, the VERY front!

We’re not going to be taking that plunge here, but the aim of this opinion piece will be the same: to provide you with a little bit of everything.

Most of all, though, we want to have fun.

That doesn’t mean we won’t address local issues, like the use of smartphones in schools, for instance — and asking that you chip in with some thoughts.

You see, in addition to this print version, we’ll be unveiling a Facebook page for A BRAND NEW DAY.

Everyone can bang away with ideas, stories, jokes, commentary or whatever tickles your fancy on the Facebook page.

You can even post photos, memes and anything else that isn’t obscene or offensive.

I’ll comment as often as I can, and hopefully we’ll get some good ol’ conversations going.

Oh, and despite very little practice at it, I’ll be tweeting about this and that — giving you another way to participate.

THE KEY to this new adventure is that even when there’s something to be honestly debated, we’ll do it gently.

Politely.

Even humorously, if it suits you.

I’ll be heeding the advice of my first boss in journalism, who said: “Take things seriously, but never take yourself seriously.”

There surely will be some storytelling.

Mine, yours, anyone else’s, as long as it has a hook that means something to folks in North Idaho.

I’ll be visiting every town and village in the region, just to hear the gossip and get a feel for what our neighbors are thinking.

You’ll probably see references to public figures in the column, sure, but also parking lot baristas and maybe just a couple strolling on Prairie Avenue.

I can’t think of any other way to tell you that we’re going to do a bit of everything — and we want you to claim ownership, as well.

Feel free to respond, to make this column your own.

Facebook, Twitter, stories and photos in print...

We want everyone to be part of A BRAND NEW DAY.

See you next week!

•••

Steve Cameron is a columnist for The Press. You can reach Steve at scameron@cdapress.com.