The following letter was sent to the Board of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society as well as to Tom Sevcik -Editor of SLAS's Nova- for publication in the upcoming newsletter. I feel it appropriate to also post here. Thank you all for your support and friendship. Keep your eyes to the skies! Dave Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------- March 7th, 2003 President’s Message: It is with great remorse & hesitation that I must resign as President of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society effective immediately. Concerns for my mother's well being, my personal health, as well as financial anxieties preclude me from finishing this year’s term. SLAS has and always will be an important part of my life. In stepping down now, I believe I can still do what is best for SLAS by allowing someone -someone who does not have the countless personal distractions that I continue to have- to take the reigns and lead the Society effectively and with appropriate direction. I have every confidence in Ken Harris as your new President as I have come to know Ken as a very articulate, well-organized, kind and decent man. Because of his personal exuberance for Amateur Astronomy, as well as his many years in management, I know he will be well suited to lead the club. I will offer him any assistance he might need at this time to allow for as smooth of a transition as possible. Even though this decision really is the right thing for me -and hopefully SLAS- at this time, I still feel as if I am letting down those who have expressed their confidence in me as well as those who had voted for me. I am very sorry if this is the case. My personal apologies to Ken Harris foremost, Ron Ford, Bill Cowles and Roger Ockey, for placing them in this awkward position. On a happier note, with all the fun I had creating the sky-diving parody of the proposed Bowling Ball Experiment as well as designing this year's public star party schedule, I have decided to return to college -after these family and personal concerns have been resolved- to pursue a degree in Graphic Design. Although not a final destination, this specific direction is something I have not had in my life before as many of you know. Wish me luck! Thank you all for allowing me to serve as I could. I wish the Society the best as it deserves the best! I hope to be able to serve on the Board again someday if you would have me. Sincerely, David L. Bennett