They said, ‘Please don’t go’

Carl Bianchi’s not-retiring-yet story is better than a certain senator’s. Bianchi, director of legislative services for the state, had announced plans to retire at the end of this month. But with a legislative session looming and no replacement for the director in sight, Bianchi was prevailed upon to stay on a little longer – and he’s agreed to stay until June.

That’s just nothing like the legendary non-retirement of state Sen. Mel Richardson, R-Idaho Falls. Richardson, a nine-term lawmaker, announced several years ago that he was retiring. Colleagues wished him well and lauded his service at a retirement party in the rotunda of the state capitol, complete with cake. Then, he decided to run again instead. He’s still in office.