Kalistani Major History

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Lady Kelly Newburg set to retire in April
"I've done my share," says the venerable Stateswoman
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 7, 5508


Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Kelly Newburg-LaRoc announces her retirement

At age 65, Lady Kelly Newburg-LaRoc has served the Empire for three decades as both Speaker of the Institutionalist Party, and as Her Imperial Majesty's Chancellor. A member of the Peerage and holder of the rank of O.G.S. 3rd Degree, Lady Newburg has long supported both the Elder and Junior Nicolettes as they guided the Anantonese State through both international and domestic events. She was the primary defender of Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Nicolette II during the Liberal Protests lasting from 5501-03, and oversaw the rebuilding of the coalition of Institutionalists in the succeeding years. And she is responsible for nuts and bolts of the ambitious Public Works program which is now taking place around the Empire that aims at restoring Kalistan to the forefront of green energy and an agricultural revolution.

But recently, several health scares, including a bout with thyroid cancer and declining mental sharpness has led the Chancellor and the Empress to consult together about beginning to search for a replacement, to allow the Chancellor to retire. While Lady Newburg's replacement has not yet been named, she has expressed confidence that there will be a smooth transition when she retires at the end of April. "I trust that Her Imperial Majesty will select an appropriate successor for this office. She already has a few close advisors in the National Assembly, who she has requested as shadow Ministers in the event that Her Government is unable to fulfill their duties, and I suspect that she intends to elevate one of them into the Chancellor's role. I have made my own preferences known, but at the end of the day, She must surround Herself with those who she trusts to give her not only wise and intelligent advice, but also someone who will tell Her the truth when She most needs to hear it. I have tried to fill that role for our Empress, as well as for her mother, the Princess Nicolette, and it is my hope that whoever Her Imperial Majesty selects will give her the same candor that I have tried to provide, and always faithfully uphold Her as I have tried to do."

The Chancellor leaves many things behind to continue: Chief among them is to find a suitable spouse for the Empress. "We have received nominations from Hutori, Lourenne, Kazulia and Luthori," said Lady Newburg. "At least one of the potential suitors is well known to Her Imperial Majesty, Prince Stephen Stuart, who is the brother to the Queen of Hutori and is the head of ODEN-H. In that role, he visits Kalistan frequently, and over the years, both he and his sister the Queen have spent a lot of time with the Empress. But the Lourennais candidate and the Kazulian candidate both bring additional positives to their respective suits, and I think she likes them both too for their various qualities. She aims to make a selection by the end of this year and prepare to marry because she would like to have children soon." Other items of major concern that the Chancellor is leaving for her successor are the ongoing High Dam projects in Kalistan proper, the establishment of wind and solar production facilities on the mainland and on Ananto, and the continued exploitation of geothermal power on Ananto. "These projects will likely continue for more than a decade before we get back to where we were before the end of the fusion program," said the Chancellor, "But of course, I will have to pass these on to the Government that comes after this one."

Lady Newburg said she intends to retire with her Husband to her country home in Dulnerstaad County. She will retain her Peerage and will be created the Marques Newburg, an honorary title she will hold for the remainder of her life by the Empress upon her retirement, and will remain on pension. "My villa in Dulnerstaad overlooks the city," said Lady Newburg. "I look forward to doing some gardening and some painting of the scenes around Dulnerstaad. And I so look forward to reading for pleasure once more!"

We salute Lady Newburg, and wish her well as she enters retirement. And we will standby to hear news of the incoming Chancellor.