I'm delighted to share the news that John Gray has been nominated for an Emmy for his TV piece about a local man who was with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For his "I Have a Dream" speech 50 years ago.

John Gray should be a familiar name and face. A Troy boy, he has been in local television news for 25 years, currently as a news anchor in WXAA-Fox TV 23 and ABC's WTEN News Channel 10. He also writes a column that appears in both The Record and The Saratogian, online and in print on the opinion page. 

His columns, which he began writing 20 years ago at the behest of Editor Lisa Lewis, have won awards in the journalism industry. I admire his unpretentious style and the way he tackles all kinds of subjects to which readers can relate. The column, though, is a hobby. His career has been on TV.

I've actually only met John a few times, and he is always friendly and gracious. He has stepped up when asked to emcee special events, and I am sure the promise of his participation helped draw people to them.

The Emmy-nominated piece was about Gordon "Gunny" Gundrum, who, as a member of the U.S. Park Service, was assigned to protect King that day.

"I'm a long shot to win," Gray mentions with typical humility at the tail end of his Feb. 12 column.

We're rooting for you, John!