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June 8, 2006
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June 8, 2006 |
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EDITORIAL A new job When I first moved to Yellow Springs in 1981, my favorite day of the week was Wednesday because that was the day the Yellow Springs News was published. Each Wednesday afternoon I stalked the News office, waiting for that week’s edition. Having been raised in a small Indiana town with an adequate but unremarkable paper, I was amazed at the News’ quality and vitality. The News taught me about Yellow Springs. I admired the excellent writing skills of then-editor Don Wallis and reporter Doug Hinkley, as they brought to life the always quirky and interesting goings-on of the village. I learned about the town’s controversies through the News’ passionate ( and sometimes cranky) letters to the editor, and discovered that although Yellow Springs is a village, its residents had thoughtful and insightful opinions about the whole world. I learned that Yellow Springs is a big little town. I was fresh out of graduate school, a teacher of writing, and had never for a moment thought about being a journalist. But when a tiny ad appeared in the News seeking a reporter, I found myself scurrying down to the News with application in hand. It was the beginning of more than 20 years’ association with this little paper, first as reporter, then as a columnist, then reporter again. During that time I have grown to appreciate more and more the value of a newspaper to a small town. It truly can be the voice of a village, the place where we endlessly discuss and debate how we can best live together, whether the issue involves affordable housing, bumpy sidewalks or the schooling of children. The paper is also where villagers weigh in on world issues they care deeply about, from global warming to the war in Iraq. And a paper can be the heart of a village, the place where we see photos and news of our weddings, our babies, our children as they grow into women and men. It’s where we see, as on the front page today, that the tiny toddlers we saw in the baby pool at Gaunt Park just a short time ago have now grown into high school graduates. In the paper, we find out who lost her dog, whose mother died, and who needs our help. It’s the place where we read each others’ names, over and over and over again. Now I have a new job, as editor. As former editor Bob Mihalek stated in his last editorial, it’s a big job. And he leaves very big shoes to fill, having brought to the job his considerable energies, gifts and skills. I’m a little nervous, but I also welcome the challenge. I promise to give the News my best effort and also to try to have fun. I’m grateful to be working with a generous and talented staff, and am especially grateful for the help of Lauren Heaton, who will step up from her position as reporter to be associate editor, bringing to the job her graceful, compassionate writing and her deep connection to the community. And I very much appreciate the generosity of Don Wallis, who has provided his wisdom and expertise during a transitional time. I believe the Yellow Springs News is an excellent paper, and my wish is to help make it better. I hope the News remains the voice of those who already contribute their letters and news, and that it becomes the voice of those who don’t yet. I encourage you to contact Lauren or me to talk about ways we could reach out to you and to the people you know. I welcome your thoughts, whether via email, telephone or over a cup of coffee, and count myself lucky to be in the newspaper business in our big little town.
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