|
Young publishers make mark at
Texas community newspapers
They publish small daily and weekly newspapers from the Panhandle to Central Texas, from metropolitan areas to rural towns.
Some have cut their teeth through the ranks of group-owned newspapers such as Southern Newspapers’ Tommy Crow and Granite Publications’ Cindy Parkhurst.
Others already have realized their dream of owning their own newspapers, such as Will Cain who publishes three weeklies or husband and wife teams Melissa and Paul Perner and Bethany and Charles Russell.
Many were born into the newspaper family — Roger Estlack whose grandfather founded the Donley County Leader in 1929 and Sarah Morin whose family has owned the Daily Court Review in Houston since 1889.
Their backgrounds may differ but they all have one thing in common — they’re 20 under 40.
Each year the Newspaper Association of America’s Presstime names a 20 under 40 national list of young newspaper executives to watch.
The Texas Press Messenger took a cue from NAA and created its own 20 under 40 sampling of Texas publishers who are making their mark in the Lone Star State publishing world.
These young up and coming publishers represent the future of newspapering in Texas. Meet these 20 under 40 as they share their insight into why they love community newspapers.
--
Joe Baker, 39, The Countywide, Karnes City, Editor/Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: In current position five years, in newspapers eight years.
Why did you get into newspapering: At the time, I needed a job and the local newspaper editor offered me a job as reporter/photographer. I accepted his offer and it’s been the second smartest decision I’ve ever made.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: In what other business can you be a photographer, writer, graphic artist, entrepreneur and community leader all in one? This business has limitless challenges, limitless variety and limitless opportunities for creativity and this makes it fun to come to work every day. It’s a job where you can make a real difference in your community, and in the lives of your neighbors and friends. In this job, you get to see the fruits of your labor.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Long hours, low wages.
What are your goals for the future: To continue leading the newspaper as it grows and prospers and to continue doing what I can to improve the quality of life for the people of my community. I hope to have this job for the next 50 years, and then pass it on to my daughter, or son, or both of them.
--
Eric Bishop, 35, Waxahachie Daily Light, Vice President/Regional Manager
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: 1 year; 13 years; publisher from 1997-1999.
Why did you get into newspapering: Because no two days are the same. Any aspect of the business provides a fulfilling experience, making it the polar opposite of standing on the assembly line and making stuff. Newspapers are one of the strongest — if not the strongest — driving forces in a community.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Seeing another person smile because of what we’ve done for them — or helped them do. That can be a reader, an advertiser, an employee or someone about whom we’ve written in our columns.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Let’s stick to the good stuff. It far outweighs any down sides.
What are your goals for the future: I’d hope to be able to help mold the next newspapering generation.
Brian Brisendine, 25, The Hereford Brand and North Plains Printing, Publisher/ President
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Almost two years. I’ve been officially employed by a newspaper for the last eight years. Unofficially, (working, but not on the payroll) I’ve been around newspapers since the day I was born.
Why did you get into newspapering: I have always been around newspapers and I have always been fascinated by them — before, during and after production. I can’t start my day without looking at a paper. Other than two brief periods in grade school when I wanted to dig up dinosaurs or be a forest ranger, being a community newspaper publisher is all I’ve ever wanted to do.
My dad, Lynn Brisendine, is publisher of the Brownfield News and Seminole Sentinel. From an early age, I saw how much he enjoyed what he did every day and I appreciated the life my family had because of the newspaper business.
I have attended almost every TPA summer convention for the last 25 years and fostered relationships with great people in this industry, many of which have become my closest friends and mentors.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Obviously, it feels good when someone compliments your paper. One of my favorite things to do is write my weekly column, which runs on the front page. When someone tells me how much they enjoyed that or that they clipped it out and sent it to a friend, it’s hard to beat that feeling. Conversely, it’s just as rewarding when someone says they disagree with my view, but they see where I’m coming from and respect my opinion.
It may sound strange, but another aspect I enjoy, comes twice a month when I sign paychecks. We all know that making payroll is hard work and I take great pride in signing my employees’ paychecks, because it means that under my leadership, they can go home and help support their families as well. That’s pretty neat.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: The only downside I’ve encountered is that “The Buck Stops Here.” When someone is upset, whether it be a customer or an advertiser or an elected official, they come into my office. Being the boss means I can’t tell an irate person, “here, talk to my boss.”
Being young doesn’t help that situation. I’ve come across a few guys who have been in town way too long, who think they can come in and bully the new guy (new kid, as they say). I just let them know the first time they try, bullying doesn’t work with me.
What are your goals for the future: My goal every morning when I wake up is to provide everything possible for my wife and child and to make my family and friends proud. But as far as long term goals go, I will some day be a chain boss. I’m going to own my own group of newspapers much like the one I grew up in and am involved with now — a mixture of weeklies, semiweeklies, dailies and printing plants in good communities with great people managing each property. That’s a recipe for success and I know I’ll get there.
Will Cain, 29, Van Alstyne Leader, Anna Melissa Tribune and Prosper Press, Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Owner two years and in the newspaper business for just over three years. Previously worked for the Wesner family, owners of the Llano News, Mason News, Blanco County News and Johnson City Record Courier among others — In the year I was with them I spent some time working at the Llano newspaper and ran their Johnson City newspaper for almost a year. It was a great experience to get my feet wet and learn what it was like to run a paper.
Why I got into newspapers: I am an attorney, having graduated from University of Texas School of Law, but I realized at some point in my legal education that while I would probably be happy practicing law, it wasn’t my first choice of career opportunities.
I love writing and thought that maybe I would like to be a writer. But after writing a novel I realized that being a writer, at least a creative writer, is a difficult way to make a living. At the same time I was developing an entrepreneurial spirit. I had learned about the business prospects of publishing, specifically that of newspapers, through reading the biographies of men such as Warren Buffet and Al Nueharth. So ... I decided to merge my literary and business desires into the newspaper business.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: The most rewarding part of the newspaper business is, and this is probably true for any business, to see the business grow, improve and succeed in all of its facets. I’m proud that we have managed to create high quality products that serve readers and advertisers, that we have created jobs for an increasing number of people and that we have created a profitable business.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: The worst part of the newspaper business is actually a quality that is also an asset and gives our business a great amount of stability. There is a sentiment in our local communities that the newspaper belongs to the people.
This proprietary sense in our readers works to our benefit much of the time. It helps circulation in that it creates a sense of “of course you should take the paper.” And it helps editorially when the public feels it has access to the paper.
But it also creates a sense of ownership in the space. Some in our public think that we might “owe” them space for whatever whim each individual deems important. We sell space, that is how we exist, and when people pompously demand (asking graciously or submitting something is different) that space for free, it can be offensive.
What are your goals for the future: The goals for the future are twofold. We intend to grow the quality, coverage and page count of our current properties to mirror the explosive growth that is coming to the towns we cover. And I intend to grow a media company that first has a strong foothold in print and perhaps later, other forms of media.
Lew K. Cohn, 34, Grand Saline Sun and Edgewood Enterprise, Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: 1 month in current position, 16 years in newspapers.
Why did you get into newspapering: I enjoy writing and I enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories. I love being the source for news that people turn to when they want to know the truth and I still love the thrill of putting together a newspaper and seeing my words on the printed page.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: The most rewarding part would be sitting in the office on Wednesday afternoon after the papers have come back from the press and watching total strangers flock to your office to buy a copy of your newspaper because they want to know what’s going on in town.
What is the worst part about running anewspaper: Having to make personnel decisions that can affect the livelihood of another individual and his or her family.
What are your goals for the future: To expand our newspapers’ coverage area and circulation in Van Zandt County and to earn the respect of my colleagues for our work.
Tommy D. Crow, 32, Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, Editor & Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: 4 years; 14 years.
Why did you get into newspapering: My grandmother worked for the Huntsville Item and she helped me get a job there as a skip runner, while I attended Sam Houston State University. I eventually worked my way out of circulation and into the business office where I was the credit manager. At the same time, I wrote a weekly outdoors column, which eventually led to my career as a journalist. And the rest, as they say, is history.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Though rare, what’s most rewarding is uncovering corruption in local government or issues concerning public safety and health. These are the reports readers seem to “appreciate.” They generally generate the most feedback.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: The fact that you cannot please everybody is the worst part about running a newspaper. I don’t think any newspaper executive ever rejects constructive criticism, but often times, the criticism we receive is ugly, baseless and unwarranted.
What are your goals for the future: To grow our product and our profit margin while expanding our ability to provide a wider variety of relevant content for an increasingly diverse marketplace.
Roger Estlack, 34, The Clarendon Enterprise, Publisher & Co-Editor
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: I’ve been publisher and editor since I took over The Clarendon News and The Donley County Leader on Oct. 1, 1995. Before that I just wrote occasionally for The Clarendon News.
Why did you get into newspapering: I had a family history of it. My great-grandfather started in the business in the early 1900s and then founded The Donley County Leader in 1929, and the paper stayed in the family for almost 45 years.
In addition, I’ve always wanted to do something that would help improve my hometown and make it grow. A good newspaper can do that. You look at the small towns where good things are happening, and usually you’ll find a good newspaper there too.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: The times when we make a real difference in the life of our community. For example, we’ve been hounding the city to pave our sad streets for nearly nine years, and it looks like that’s finally coming to fruition this year.
Whether it’s a feature story that reunites a young boy with his lost dog or an in-depth news story that leads to a $4 million restoration of the Texas Panhandle’s oldest functioning courthouse, the Enterprise can help change things for the better. That’s what makes all the headaches and late nights worthwhile.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Trying to get people to understand what a deadline is. (We’ve actually printed the definition of the word more than once.)
What are your goals for the future: We want to see our circulation continue to steadily increase because it’s better for us and better for our advertisers. We want to expand and improve our online offerings. We want to see every street in town paved, and we want to see a revitalization of downtown Clarendon and its historic buildings.
Michael Gresham, 33, Rockwall County News, Editor & Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Since November 2002 as publisher. In newspapers since 1995, including managing editor (1997-2002) and sports editor (1996-97) of the daily Terrell Tribune.
Why did you get into newspapering: In college at Midwestern State University, I majored in communications with a double minor in broadcast journalism and print journalism. My intent actually was to go into the television field, but my best friend in college was named the editor of The Wichitan my senior year. He asked me to step in as sports editor to try to help build up the paper, which had been struggling.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: I enjoy being a part of a community as well as making a difference in that community. I learned from my time in Terrell that what goes in the community newspaper can be gospel as far as members of that community are concerned.
At times, it can be a great responsibility, but at the same time it can be very rewarding. To walk into a school and see a photo you took or a story you wrote stapled on a bulletin board with smiley faces or to attend a council meeting and have community members questioning officials about something they read in the newspaper means a lot to me.
It tells me that I can make a difference.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Oh, that answer can run the whole gamut. At the weekly level, publishers are a bit of everything: the janitor, the plumber, delivery boy, photographer, reporter, ad manager, circulation manager and the guy who makes the coffee in the morning.
Sometimes the hardest part about running a newspaper is making time to be with your family.
The truth is the biggest issue facing smaller newspapers these days is the growing demand of our readership. Spoiled by the Internet, DVRs and a gazillion cable channels, our readership has evolved into one that expects more and more of its weekly newspaper.
The challenge is keeping up with those demands while keeping our identity as the community paper.
What are your goals for the future: To understand my goals, you really have to understand Rockwall County. It’s the smallest county in Texas, but has five newspapers. Four of those five are located in Rockwall.
Obviously, that presents a challenge to us to establish ourselves as “the” community newspaper. Immediately, our goal is to grow our readership … by showing the community that despite other choices, we are the best choice for being informed about what’s happening in our community.
We’ve won some awards in our first year of publication (2004 TPA Sweepstakes) and hope to win more. Of course, the awards are nice because they let us know our peers appreciate what we’re trying to do here. However, awards don’t pay the bills. I would be more impressed if our community members rewarded us for our efforts by signing up for a subscription. In my eyes, that would tell me that we’re doing the right thing.
Jason Jarrett, 35, Westlake Picayune, Publisher
How long in current position: 10 years in May.
Why did you get into newspapering: Born in a newsroom. My dad was editor at daily newspapers in Dallas, Denver, Miami and Philadelphia. Been reading them since I was 3-years-old.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Seeing the weekly impact of the Picayune on the community. Being able to fill a role as the prime communicator within the community.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Seeing mom and pop businesses start up and then shut down.
What are your goals for the future: To be involved with community weeklies in a larger scope, either through newspaper consultation, acquisitions or at the TPA. I love seeing how each community newspaper works.
Darrell Keach, 33, Nueces County Record Star, General Manager
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: I’ve been actively involved in the business since 1994. I’ve grown up in the business and I’m fourth generation, starting with my great-grandfather who owned the Floresville Chronicle Journal and later bought The Record Star in 1926. Since then my grandfather Carroll Keach was publisher and my father Sam Fore Keach is the current publisher.
Why did you get into newspapering: I didn’t seem to have much choice I guess, being fourth generation.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Helping a new or existing business and the community we serve succeed, while at the same time making our own business succeed.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Failing to succeed.
What are your goals for the future: Continue to grow our circulation and reach without sacrificing quality.
Amy Miller, 30, Jacksonville Daily Progress, Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Publisher since January 2004. Began newspaper career in 1997. Spent three years in another field but came back to the industry and to the Jacksonville paper in 2002.
Why did you get into newspapering: A close friend of mine was an ad director and encouraged me to apply for an opening at her paper. I was against the idea claiming I would never work in sales. She persisted and after the first day on the job, I was in love! I learned quickly this besiness is addicting and rewarding.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: I believe it all starts and ends with the readers. My mantra at the office is “how will this affect our readers?”
In advertising, we must think how the readers will respond to the ad to yield the best results for our advertisers.
In editorial, we ask are our stories relevant to the majority or our readers? Are we providing local news that is important to our readers, etc.?
This business has ups and downs as does any business. The constant challenge and the constant change keeps the desire to succeed fresh.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: As with any management position, personnel issues top the list. Attempting to make all employees happy at the same time is tough. The menial issues are the most challenging. They hurt production, cause friction among fellow employees and can tear down teamwork.
What are your goals for the future: My goals are and always have been to be the best leader, best newspaper, best in the eyes of our readers, best financially. Not to be misinterpreted, I do not and have not always achieved this best status, however the goal remains the same.
I want the readers of Jacksonville to view their newspaper as a part of the community — that celebrates with them, is not afraid to tackle tough issues and that they look forward to reading each day.
I want each employee to know even if they do not agree with my decisions, that I was fair to all. I want to help each member of my staff grow professionally.
I’ve discovered through teaching and listening, I learn and grow professionally as well. And most important for myself, never be satisfied. Always strive for more, to be better, to learn and grow.
Clay Morgan, 35, Madisonville Meteor, Editor & Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: I’ve been in Madisonville since September and in newspapers off and on since my early- to mid-20s.
Why did you get into newspapering: I grew up wanting to be a writer. One day, the light bulb finally went off — newspapers pay people to write. While I enjoyed the larger papers, I quickly discovered I had an affinity for community newspapers and the role they play in their towns.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: The fact that the newspaper can make a positive impact on its community. There are few things better than seeing something positive happen in your market and knowing that you and the paper had a hand in making it come to pass. That and hearing parents say how excited they were to see their child’s picture on the front page.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: I don’t mind long hours, but my least favorite part is the inconsistent hours. Makes it a little tough to plan out a personal life sometimes.
What are your goals for the future: I hope to continue being a publisher within Granite Publications, eventually working my way up to larger community newspapers, or papers with a great publication frequency, all seeking greater challenges, rewards and opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Sarah Morin, 27, Daily Court Review (Houston), Publisher/CEO
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Two years as publisher, four years total.
Why did you get into newspapering: It’s a family business. (The Daily Court Review has been owned and operated by the Morin family since 1889.) I grew up in the industry.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Creating a product that benefits the readers; and developing and implementing new ideas to improve the publication.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Employment issues.
What are your goals for the future: Increase amount of original content, circulation and display advertising in the newspaper.
Jim Moser, 34, McKinney Courier-Gazette, Editor & Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: I have been in my current position for three years and more or less grew up in the newspaper business.
Why did you get into newspapering: My father, Charles Moser, has been the publisher of the Brenham Banner-Press for 35 or 36 years now. So that is where I really got started in the business. I had a paper route for a few years in the neighborhood where I grew up, and in junior high and high school worked in the mailroom, pre-press and press areas of the Banner-Press.
Once I got to college and found it time to get serious about choosing a career, I naturally migrated back to
newspapers. I’ve heard a lot of the longtime newspaper folks talk about the fact that once you get ink in your blood, it’s hard to do anything else. I guess there’s something to that.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: I really enjoy my involvement in the community and building a product that every employee in the office can be proud of.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: We operate in a pretty competitive market and that creates some unique challenges. If you combine that with the fact that I am often too critical of my own work and decisions, it can make life a little stressful. But in a way those are the very elements that keep it exciting also.
What are your goals for the future: There isn’t a day that goes by that doesn’t teach me something new about the business and the people in the business. I just want to keep learning as much as I can and maybe one day own a couple of quality newspapers.
Cindy Parkhurst, 34, Colorado County Citizen, Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: I’ve been publisher for two years, but I started working at The Citizen in May 1992. I took a couple of breaks along the way, but not for long, I always came back.
Why did you get into newspapering: When I got out of college and moved back to Columbus my mother worked for Jerry and Nancy Scarbrough at The Citizen. My mother was tired of working and they needed a replacement to do typesetting. So, Nancy asked if “Little Cindy” would like the job. I took it and I’m still here.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: On Tuesday nights when the inserters and labelers are working diligently to get the paper out to the stands and to the post office and they can’t keep the rack outside the office full because people are so excited to get their weekly fix of the newspaper.
I love that and it makes Monday and Tuesday deadlines worth the effort.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Dealing with angry readers is definitely the hardest part of my job, but thank goodness I don’t have to do that very often.
What are your goals for the future: I want The Citizen to be the must-read for the entire county. I want to put out a paper that touches everybody in some way so that they feel like they connect with it and want to read it every issue.
Melissa and Paul C., Perner IV, both 27, The Ozona Stockman Melissa - Editor & Publisher; Paul - Online & Technical Manager (Computers and Printing)
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: One year and two months. Melissa: I worked for the San Angelo Standard-Times for five years
as a reporter. Paul: I worked for Howard County Junior College for five years as a computer technician II.
Why did you get into newspapering: Melissa: I have always wanted to be a journalist since I was in eighth grade. I always thought writing and telling other people’s stories would be lots of fun. I received my bachelor’s degree in journalism from Angelo State University and then started with the Standard-Times.
When Scotty Moore called me at the Standard-Times and offered Paul and I The Ozona Stockman, I almost fell out of my chair. The thought of owning your own newspaper does occur to most journalists, but you never think it’s going to happen. The funny part was that my husband and I had been talking about moving to Ozona.
Paul: I grew up in Ozona and my family owns a ranch there. We were talking about moving back so I could help them on their ranch.
Melissa: I knew when I married Paul that this day would come, so you see it all worked out.
Paul: As far as being in the newspaper business, it’s because she (Melissa) made me. It was her idea!
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Melissa: No one can deny that being your own boss has its advantages. I also enjoy the small town atmosphere and getting to know the public.
Covering stories and writing articles are more personal because you generally know the people. I also get to do more, such as take pictures, layout, editing etc. I also enjoy working with my staff.
We are a team and it takes all of us working together to get the paper out each Wednesday and keep the rest of the business running.
Paul: Being at the top and making the decisions that affect everything and not being told what to do.
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: Paul: Getting up at 4:30 a.m. Wednesdays to deliver the paper. That’s definitely the worst part.
Melissa: I agree. I also have had to learn the “business side,” such as accounting, bookkeeping, keeping up with bills and sending out bills and taxes. That part I do not enjoy.
It’s this side of the business, the financial side, that has given me the most stress but as each day passes, I learn more and more. My parents ran their own business, so I call them a lot when I have questions. My accountant is also on speed dial and the first one in my e-mail address book for questions.
This is the stuff people don’t warn you about when you buy a business.
What are your goals for the future: Paul: Make it better.
Melissa: We want to continue making the newspaper better each week. We (my staff and I) try to add in new details and work with new technology in order to strive for a better, more informative, more appealing product that the readers of our town and all of our subscribers can be proud of.
It’s the community that makes the newspaper, we just print their story.
Bethany and Charles Russell, 32 and 36 respectively, The Leonard Graphic, Publishers
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Charles, four years (total); Bethany, we bought the paper together four years ago, I’ve been in newspapers since 1992.
Why did you get into newspapering: Charles married into it, but discovered he has a natural talent for it. Business has always been his forte, and he is very good at sales, relationship building and compromise — very important in this business. I have always loved to write, and love to create things. A newspaper is a new creation each day or each week, depending on your publication schedule. I also like the fact that newspapers allow you to learn about new things on a regular basis. Before you can write about something, you have to become somewhat of a mini-expert on the topic.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: Helping the community to change for the better. As parents of three kids, we love owning our own paper, because the newspaper gives us the flexibility we need to be there for our children. They understand they better not get sick on deadline night, though! Our daughter was even born on a Thursday (I had asked her to do that for the entire nine months) so that I had a full five days with her before the next press day on Tuesday. (Wednesday wouldn’t work because that’s circulation day).
What is the worst part of running a newspaper: You live a very public life, and are subject to a lot of criticism if you goof up. You have to develop thick skin and stand by your ethics. In a small town like ours, people have to trust that you are not a “good old boy.”
What are your goals for the future: We will work to keep the newspaper growing at a steady pace, and to evolve with technology. We recently expanded our business to include high-speed wireless Internet and a Sprint cellular phone dealership. As such, we are preparing to change our corporate name from Russell Community Newspapers, Inc. to Russell Communications, Inc.
No matter how people want to get their information, we want to be on the cutting edge of providing that information. A major goal will be to earn revenue on our Web site, and to improve that site for our readers who don’t like to get ink on their hands.
Natalie Spencer, 38, Medina Valley Times/Castroville News Bulletin, Publisher
How long in current position and how long in newspapers: Since May 2002 as publisher; in newspapers since 1995.
Why did you get into newspapering: I’ve always been a reader and my love of a good story led me to the newsroom. After a few years and a few different positions, I had learned enough about the newspaper business to know it was a perfect fit.
I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to be publisher. Before I worked in newspapers, I worked at the corporate level in retail. Becoming publisher combined my past knowledge with my present.
What is your most rewarding part of the business: I always say the best and worst part about running a community newspaper is our readers’ sense of ownership. Our greatest compliment is when they brandish our newspaper during a debate with a public official they suspect of putting a spin on the truth.
Of course that sense of ownership means they feel free to yell at me over my latest editorial position or a missing wedding announcement as I gas up the car, too. That would be one of the drawbacks.
What are your goals for the future: I used to think I was interested in moving back to a more corporate world, making tons of money and being involved with important, less regional stories. I’ve been fortunate, though, to attend several nationwide seminars, including one at the Poynter Institute. There I met reporters from major daily newspapers and I discovered a secret: most of them have no idea of the true impact of their newspapers on readers’ daily lives.
Working for a weekly is not glamorous; I doubt Maureen Dowd finishes a column and then helps unload a truck, the way I often do. But glamour and importance really have no connection.
What we do at a weekly newspaper is provide the last stronghold for an old-fashioned, light-shining, truth-telling style of journalism.
So, in the future, I see myself continuing in the difficult, wonderful world of community journalism, helping my papers thrive editorially and survive economically.
|
