Feb. 6, 2013 —
Realizing a longtime dream to finish my working years as a community newspaper publisher has become, to my surprise, somewhat of a mixed blessing.
Or, as I admit to family and close friends, some days this may be the worst job I’ve ever loved.
I’ve grown strongly attached to the give-and-take of reporting the good, the bad and, perhaps too frequently, the ugliness of life.
On the other hand, the newspaper business model can be frustrating at times.
Despite predictions over the last 10 years that newspapers are dying, recent statistics show our industry is regaining its economic footing and making financial gains. Even investment guru Warren Buffett is acquiring newspapers.
Newspapers are becoming more cost-efficient in managing expenses and learning how to effectively utilize, rather than fear, the digital technology that surrounds us.
Yes, reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated. Yet, it seems we have to convince some folks of that fact every business day.
Daily challenges of the free enterprise system aside, I find myself being pulled gradually into the emotional quicksand of broken lives, shattered dreams and hopelessness of those on the wrong side of the news.
Contrary to the accusations of friends and relatives of those identified in crime stories, we find no pleasure in reporting the tales of human misery.
Call it blind loyalty or denial or misplaced family pride, there are those who steadfastly refuse to consider that a loved one could run afoul of the law.
Some of us have experienced the crushing heartbreak of criminal activity in our own families.
We know firsthand of the shame, the parental guilt and the haunting fear that the painful journey could end all too soon in a prison or a cemetery.
We of the press do not seek to add to any family’s burden. Covering this epidemic of crime is like trying to drink from a fire hose.
We often struggle to keep our community informed so that it can protect itself against wrongdoers.
As publisher, I long for the time when our pages will overflow with acts of kindness, of compassion, of courage, of triumph over adversity, of personal achievement, of economic and social progress for all, and other joyful subjects.
But, until that happy day comes, we’re going to continue to report the news as it happens, not as we might wish it to be.
We do that to keep faith with those who fought and died to give us the sacred privilege of a free press.
Wednesday's Post
Some days this is not the best job in town
- Wednesday's Post
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Flashbacks revive memories of a tragedy
I remember the day like it was yesterday – Dec. 15, 1967, a few minutes before 5 p.m. in Ironton, Ohio. As the local reporter for the morning newspaper in nearby Huntington, W.Va., I was making a routine check at the sheriff’s office of calls and complaints.
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The greatest singer sang the greatest song
Within 10 minutes, four of my children called, e-mailed or texted me that morning to express condolences on what they knew would be a personal loss.
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‘42’ more about fairness than baseball
One of the first major league baseball games I saw in person as a young boy was when my beloved Cincinnati Reds hosted the Brooklyn Dodgers at Crosley Field.
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Real sounds or not, ole Waite was the best
I was listening to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game on radio while driving home when I had a flashback to the 1950’s.
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Great food way ahead of its time
The first time I saw one it reminded me of a deflated football or a toy boat by its shape but seeing it was not nearly as memorable as eating one.
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‘Out of the mouths of babes’ comes humility
My most recent humbling experience started innocently enough with a phone call from my middle daughter, the mother of three.
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Realities of life told in country music
We’ve been warned for years that some rock music, if played backward, would bring forth a dangerous, even devilish message. On the other hand, some folks say they believe that if you play a country song backward, you’ll likely get your job back, your doublewide trailer will be returned by the bank, your wife and/or girlfriend will come back with the kids, and the finance company will give you back your pickup truck, dog and all.
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Try unwinding with a John Wayne movie
Some folks go for a walk to decompress after a tough day. Others listen to soft music. Still others fight stress with a quiet dinner. Not me! I reach for a John Wayne movie, sit back and relax.
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At my house, Rodney’s gone but not forgotten
The late and very funny Rodney Dangerfield made lots of money telling the world that “I don’t get no respect” from the people in his life.
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Shakespeare would be great on CNN
As a lifelong fan of William Shakespeare, I’ve often felt that he was a man far ahead of his time.
- More Wednesday's Post Headlines
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Flashbacks revive memories of a tragedy
