Blog keeps 80-year-old active and in politics

Former City Councilman Dick Smith recently created a new blog called "An Octogenarian's Journal."

The term "octogenarian" is used to describe a person between 80 and 89 years old, an age group not typically found surfing the web. However, at 80, Smith operates another blog and said he has a Facebook page, as well.

"It's a kick," Smith said of his hobby of blogging. "There are a lot of us older folks out there."

According to Smith, the "Octogenarian" will focus primarily on politics, as well as some of his personal interests.

Smith is also the main contributor to the Aiken Journal blog, which he created in 2002.

Smith said he started the Aiken Journal as a way to keep his constituents abreast of important issues in Aiken.

The Aiken Journal began as e-mail and later grew into a website and is now a blog. Smith said City Councilmen Dick Dewar and Reggie Ebner also contribute to the blog.

"The idea behind the Aiken Journal is to communicate to Aiken citizens on local matters," said Smith. "I'm very interested in politics as well as our local affairs."

The former councilman said he is looking to spark the interests of young people with his new blog.

"I'm trying to convince young folks that there is another world out there," he said.

In the "Octogenarian's" purpose statement, Smith writes: "Unfortunately too many young activists living in the USA and elsewhere in the world believe that the U.S. is the primary cause of the world's many problems. I hope that, with this blog, we can change some minds. I ask only that everyone keep an open mind."

Smith, who ended his eight-year tenure as District 4 representative on City Council at the end of last year, said he is still active in the local community.

"I did my eight years on Council; it really was an honor and a pleasure to serve," he said.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.

Visit "An Octogenarian's Journal" at www.octogenarianonline.com or the Aiken Journal at www.aikenjournal.org.