Becoming publisher of the Tribune is not really a new experience
for me. In fact, it is a bit of homecoming.
Beginning in the fall of 1997, I served as publisher for eight
months here following longtime fixture Bill Kezziah, who had owned,
edited and published the Tribune for the previous 19
years.
It is also a homecoming in many other ways.
My family and I have lived in the Tri-Lakes area for more than
five years. My children attend area schools and participate in
local activities. We go to church here, fish in the derby, climb
Mount Herman at least once a summer, play soccer at Fox Run and
other local parks, and of course, never miss an Independence Day
parade.
I know some history, and I am interested in learning a whole lot
more. I’ve seen great change and expect that to remain fairly
constant.
Jeremy Bangs, former Tribune editor, and I have met at 4 a.m. to
start slotting stories for an edition that was due in a few hours.
Blizzards, like the one in October of 1997; extended drought; the
threat of wildfires, like the Hayman; and other tragedies and
triumphs are no strangers to me.
I worked with many fine Tribune people when I was here as
publisher and peripherally over the years. With some I’ve agreed,
with others I’ve clashed. Most genuinely wanted the paper and
community to grow and prosper, though they may have differed
considerably about how to go about that. Names that come to mind
from the paper: Heather Rizzo, Amy Sannwald, Pat Standard, Chris
Tomeo, Don and Robin Maconachy, Eldon McKinnis, Rich Bangs, Kera
Anderson, Steve Prudhomme, Kenyon Jordan, Scott Lauck.
And from the community, long-time residents and newcomers alike:
Tom Ward, Beth Courrau, Bob Swedenburg, Tom Wall, Father Bob
Jaeger, Woody Woodworth, Walter Paul, John Heiser, the Pankratzs,
Jeff Hulsmann, John and Carol Stansfield, Jim and Renee Taylor,
Victor Vaile, Col. George Nelson and family, just to name a
few.
Names are what we are about. Many more I know by their volunteer
work, by their selflessness in serving on a board, council,
commission or committee.
In the past few days, I’ve come to know and appreciate the fine
work of the current staff, and I depend on them. Bryan, Trent,
Linda, Dan and the others, thank you.
Newspapering, perhaps more than any other business, is a team
sport. We have a fine team in place, and we will continue to build
on that.
Since I left the Tribune in 1998, I have managed the Ute Pass
Courier, the Cripple Creek Gold Rush, the Teller County Extra and
other publications based in Woodland Park, and I will continue to
do so. So I think it will be no surprise if I start advocating road
improvements on Forest Service paths between here and
there.
It is the second time around for me. Still, I ask for your
patience while I learn, your candidness when you see something at
the Tribune you like or dislike, and your participation in our
efforts to bring you a lively, useful, fair, and honest
presentation of local news and advertising each week. Content of a
community weekly newspaper should be inclusive, interactive and
representative of the entire community. My goal is to have each of
you think of the Tribune as “my newspaper.”
Perhaps that will mean some sort of a homecoming for you as
well.