Ihad to take some time off the grid to figure out just what I was going to say about leaving the newspaper at the end of this month.
First of all, I have always approached the paper from the perspective that while we run and write it we were just given the franchise. The newspaper actually belongs to the community.
After all, the paper should be the heart and soul of the community and that is what we have tried to do in Simpson County for the last 31 years and almost 41 with the company, where I had the chance not only to run these county papers but to manage papers from one end of the state to the other.
Newspapers are having a difficult time today. Reporters once presented readers with information, then let them think critically about it and form their own opinions. That is not the case anymore. Many big time reporters now slant the news, and critical thinking is no longer taught in schools based on what I have been told.
The newspaper is called The Watchdog of Democracy. Without a newspaper to look over people’s shoulders, I can only imagine what kind of chaos there would be.
One of the things we have done to keep up with the times is to adopt a digital presence though the internet, Facebook as well as traditional print publications like the newspaper, magazines and The Phone Book.
But if the public doesn’t support the newspaper through advertising, subscriptions or just reading it, the time will come when it no longer exists.
So back to me. I have always loved the scripture from Second Timothy and will have this on my headstone if they are still doing that. It says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” This means to me that we have taken the task, done our job and maintained the respect of those we serve.
That may be the case with some but it is not the case with all, but that too goes with the territory if you try to tell the truth.
In my career I have had guns drawn on me, dead animals laid at my door step and threats of bodily harm. Was it worth it? I would not trade it for anything.
Nancy and I had decided that when I could draw social security I was going to do so. She was concerned that I was going to have too much time on my hands and get bored.
In the meantime, one of my passions was working with people who wanted to call Simpson County their home and recruit new business. So when the opportunity arose for me to apply for the executive director’s position at the county’s Development Foundation it was like a God send, so I did that.
The time came and I decided I was leaving either with or without a job. I tendered my resignation to the company. It was not until the next week that the Foundation offered me the position.
After 31 years of being with my staff, it should not come as a surprise that when I told the staff I was leaving I got a little misty eyed. I felt that I owed it to my staff to give them the same opportunity to work and advance that had been entrusted to me long ago by then owner, John Emmerich.
I had already been working for several years with staff member Marlan Jones as the news editor to replace me when I decided to leave.
Marlan is a graduate of Magee High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. I think Marlan was brought up under the same standards I was. He is one of the most polite and knowledgable young men I know. With the staff he has he will lead the paper where it needs to go. Marlan has served as a reporter and most recently in his eight years here was promoted to news editor.
I hate to admit it, but I occasionally have to be reminded of some things; otherwise I would suffer from brain overload. My go-to person for that is Shelley Fairchild, Girl Friday and Production Manager. Now Shelley’s plate is overloaded but she does help me to manage my schedule. She does all the layout of the paper, ad design and web layout and handles legal notices and just about anything that is asked. She always works her vacation around us getting our pages sent to the printer. A lot of stress goes with this, but she has been a trooper for over 20 years with us.
Marsha Bratcher, who works in the Mendenhall office, has been with the papers about a year and half longer than I, like 33 years. She now serves as Ad Manager and Circulation Manager. She gets out and hustles business, which keeps us profitable.
At one time we had 14 full- time employees. Now it is down to four.
So the part-time folks play as much a role as any of us who are full-time.
Shelley Crane is working for us again as bookkeeper along with her other full time job at Simpson General Hospital. It was nice to get her back because she knew what to do and how to do it, not only for us but for the three other papers operated through our office.
Wait a minute! Did I forget Donna McLean? Not for a second! Donna has worked for us for a long time. Just how long she will never tell and I am not dumb enough to ask. Donna was my go-to person and had a lot of influence with me when it came to writing. Lord knows she has proofed a lot of copy for me over the years.
Beth Pudas, our special assignment person, has been a pleasure to work with. She is very conscientious and does a good job on stories and extra publications.
In the back handling circulation is Ruby Meadows. She promised she would stay as long as I did, but the good news is she is staying on. I think I first met Ruby at Polk’s Meat when she was receptionist. She handles the logistics of the back such as sorting of routes.
Father and son team Jerry and Scott Cook work with great regularity to see that papers are delivered in a timely manner each week. I would dread the times I had to fill in for Jerry but it was a cinch he did his job because everyone always asked where Jerry was the few times I had to fill in. Scott is the same way; he works hard every week to make sure the job is done and is always willing to take on extra projects.
You can see the teamwork here. I am sure going to miss them all, each and every one.
