Change is good ... depending who's changing and who's affected by it"Change is good." That's the first thing Assistant Rock County Attorney Terry Vajgrt told me about his plans to leave the Skewes, Klosterbuer and Vajgrt firm.I’d say that depends who's changing and who's affected by the changes.The change will be good for Terry, as he'll get to explore new avenues of legal work and enjoy a professional change of pace. Plus, he'll get to spend more time in the courtroom, something he enjoys and is good at.The change will be good for his family if the part-time home office arrangement works out. I drive by the Vajgrt home every day, and it warms my heart to see Terry and his three boys playing in the yard, whether it's driveway basketball, as he calls it, or playing catch in the yard.The change will definitely be good for the defendants in the Nobles County legal system. They will likely be clueless to their fortune, but with Terry as their public defender, they will no doubt receive a fair chance at justice.I'd argue change in this case is sad news for Rock County, and I know a few others who would agree with me.He'll be sorely missed in the Sheriff's Department and Family Services offices (see the front-page story).Selfishly, I'll miss working with him on Star Herald news of criminal activity. Court documents are essential sources for crime stories, but they're often dry, dull and cumbersome to read.I could always count on Terry to cut to the facts of a case for me when I called him for interpretation. I appreciated his willingness to work with me on stories, patiently clarifying facts and pointing out opportunities for fairness and balance.I learned through the years that Terry rarely prosecuted a case unless the evidence warranted it. As far as I know, he never lost a trial in his 15 years in Rock County District Court.As a newsperson, that offered a certain degree of comfort in reporting on those cases, knowing we weren't recklessly exposing defendants before proven guilty.Attorneys (not unlike journalists) have a reputation for being power-hungry ambulance chasers. There's a plethora of attorney jokes to reinforce this stereotype.Terry, however, stands out as a shining gem among his sometimes-tarnished peers. Through his quiet, consistent drive to do the right thing and to do his job well, he clearly raises the bar on legal standards everywhere he works.Congratulations on the big change, Terry. Despite our loss, we wish you all the best in your new endeavor.