This is nap4455 reporting about a new disease in Whyville: Senate Influenza.

"What is that?" you may ask yourself. Well, it's not actually a disease, it's more of a case of... well, I don't know exactly what. Boredom? Just plain business? After I checked all the senators City Records, I was shocked. January 14... February 5... February 20... What is with this? WHY?

Ok, no more suspense -- where have all the senators gone?? I checked their City Records, and some of the past and one of the current Senators seem to have left us! Here are the stats I have for you:

Giggler01: Last visit: January 14
OrEoBaBy: Last visit: February 20
Softbll12: Last visit: February 28
PUNKnPIE: Last visit: February 5

See, this is what I don't get. After a lot of our senators left their position, they have left Whyville or at least threatened to give Whyville up because they have "fulfilled" their purpose on it.

I don't get that! After you have been senator, you don't have to just up and leave us! Stay a while! Maybe you could have a less abrupt ending to your time at Whyville. Maybe you could gradually leave, instead of just depart with one big boom!

Here are some phrases I've seen in the City Records of a few senators:

"I'm afraid that my time here on Whyville has been completed. Now that I have finished my position as senator, I have nothing really left on
Whyville. Farewell to whom this may have concerned, and thanks for such a wonderful experience." (Author's Note: Well, at least this person had a good time.)

"I may not be on as much, or maybe I will quit, I have not yet decided. Thank you to all who have made my time here, not only a lasting memory, but to everyone else who has made this a dream come true." (Author's Note: I didn't really get the end of this one. LoL.)

"I won't be coming on much more, now that I have finished my position as senator." (Author's Note: Hmm, short and to the point. I like it.)

Anyways, thanks for reading my article, and possibly enjoying what I had to say. And remember, if you make it as Senator, please don't leave us!!

Concerned Whyville Citizen, and s

ly proud of this article,
nap4455

Editor's Note: Great start to an investigation, nap4455! It would have been even better if you'd made sure you interviewed some of these folks, so they could directly reply to your theories and questions. Hopefully we'll hear from them another time!

Now, to speak directly to your concerns, it wasn't yet March 12 when we received your article -- that means that softbll12 had visited two weeks ago, and all but Giggler01 had been to Whyville in the last month. While many folks visit every day, not everyone has the time. Major websites calculate "regular visitors" based on those folks who log on at least once a month, which is a pretty good statistic.

That said, the quotes you've posted here from the City Records do speak to some sort of burnout that some of our former Senators appear to be going through. It's understandable -- the job can be pretty demanding at times! Perhaps some of our former Senators will share their experiences with us at the Times, as Giggler01 did a year or two ago.

And to our former Senators -- do stick around if you can! You still have a lot to do and share with your fellow citizens here; you'll always be a valued and treasured part of Whyville. :-)