Thread by @jordanwitzel

Where’s Jordan? It has been a valid question from so many of you, and it has been difficult to hold back from responding. However, some things take time and here I am now. I do owe you an answer because you have graciously invited me into your home every morning for a decade 1/20

We have laughed together and cried together, and I recognize that I may hold a very special place in yours and your family’s hearts.
I came to Calgary on somewhat of a whim in 2011. An Opportunity! My amazingly supportive wife was 8 months pregnant with our second child. 2/20

On bed rest. But we picked up and left our beloved city of #Winnipeg to come west. And damn I love this city of #Calgary and this province of #Alberta. I have lived in many place and I have learned that people make a place an actual community and those of you that I have met 3/20

over all these years have endeared me deeply to a way of life in the Alberta #foothills. So, I will remain here in #yyc.
I have made incredible friendships while working as a broadcast #meteorologist in Calgary. @ScottFee_ and @CTVNewsAmber are two amazing humans who will 4/20

always hold a special place in my heart. Shit, we had so much fun in those years together on #television. I have enjoyed watching them both continue to flourish in their careers away from Alberta. They are the very best people. There are many incredible people who have 5/20

supported me behind the scenes at the tv station as well! You may not know them but damn, they too, are incredible people. @MacWellzy is of utmost importance in calling out. This woman is the very best example of humanity. Cannot say it any other way! 6/20

People can make a job feel like an adventure. I cut my jeans into #daisydukes one random #stampede morning. And please know, I got in shit behind the scenes, but it was so worth it, wasn’t it? 7/20

#swinging I can promise you I was not completely clueless about the #participaction activity that day, but we had so much fun with it. We have had serious moments too. Big conversations on #mentalhealth and 8/20

an entire series devoted to raising the voices of those from the #lgbtq community. #pridewithoutprejudice won several awards because of the many people who trusted me as they shared their incredible stories of discrimination, hatred, sexism, and love. 9/20

A connection to community is my mission statement in life, my #why. Get involved, care for people, make them laugh, embrace their tears, and do not take yourself too seriously. But above all, stick to your principles! I have immersed my passionate personality alongside so 10/20

many amazing organizations here in Calgary. The @ACHFKids is forefront in my mind but there are so many others. The @CalgaryHumane @FieldOfCrosses @CanPraxis @calgaryhomeless @calgarystampede @Terminatorfoundation all come 11/20

to mind, but there are so many others. I have simply grown as a human during my efforts to support these groups. Remember when I went to Navy SEALs training for 8 days? Ha, what an idiot I am sometimes. But you all joined in the effort and donated nearly $60,000 to support 12/20

our veterans. I have taken an important seat at the table of the @FieldOfCrosses , helping to steer that memorial project in a direction that will forever show remembrance, love, and appreciation for our #veterans. I have visited classrooms to share my passion for our 13/20

environment and climate change, challenging young children to ask important questions about the world around them. What a gift for me, simply because I was the guy on TV. I have been afforded so many opportunities. The weather events are scattered in my brain. Yes they were 14/20

important as long as everyone was safe, but they didn’t really matter. Human connections mattered and always will. Those of you who I have come to know on a deeply personal level away from the news screen I appreciate you so much. Families from @BHACalgary 15/20

and Diversity Dance and Performing Arts bring the very best to our community and I will forever support them for the love they show our family and so many others. Board members with the @FieldOfCrosses and @CanPraxis your determination for a better community is what 16/20

continues to drive me!
I can honestly say I have been so incredibly fortunate to receive so much love and support from everyone in this city and province. Best of all, #Leo from the @CalgaryHumane came into my life. With that, it is with incredible sadness, 17/20

excitement, disappointment, enthusiasm and hope (yes, mixed emotions) that I can tell you that my employer and I are parting ways. I will not be on your television in the mornings. It is time for something new in my life! New opportunities are exciting. They are challenging 18/20

I encourage you to never shy away from your own changes as they come to you. It is what grinds us and eventually makes us better. I have so many exciting plans for my future. Likely a quieter existence with less time in the public eye (but who knows). 19/20

I have so many interests. #education #medicine #environment but NOT #politics… though I will leave you with this because I was rarely able to say it on television: #climatechange is real. Stay healthy and stay in touch. So much love from my family and myself.
Jordan (end)