Important Task at Hand

I take my job seriously. I mean, I’m entrusted with a lot. It falls on my shoulders to inform the readers of what is going on in Jasper County—including Monticello, Shady Dale, Hillsboro, and to a lesser extent Newborn and Mansfield, as well as many rural communities within the county.

It’s sometimes a tough job. Sometimes it’s rather boring, and other times its sort of exciting. This week I was reminded again how important my job is.

A citizen at the County Commission meeting was asking questions about something the commissioners had done without much notice to the public. The commissioners responded that I write about the commission meetings in the paper, indicating if they discuss it, it makes the paper. That’s not always true.

Sometimes there’s space restraints. Sometimes, I deem it of lesser importance, and it may not make the paper. It takes a lot of words to report a story, and sometimes, the story just gets too long. And, even if I write about it, there’s no guarantee that it will pique the readers’ interest at first mention. And sometimes that’s all the mention there is

Or I hear so much about an issue, I think it’s been hashed and re-hashed and don’t give it the space it’s due.

Each person who reads this paper comes from a different place, and turns to different sections of the paper. So even if you read the commission coverage each meeting, there’s no guarantee everything they do will be in the story. I try to cover the important issues, but sometimes I may not see the importance that another person does.

So, this week, when the citizen was asking about something, and the commissioners pointed to me, I was reminded how important my job is. Thank you for trusting me.

Personally I think everyone should attend at least one county commission meeting in their lifetime…especially if they’re interested in what’s going on in the county. But by attending, you pick up on personalities and then my unbiased reporting makes more sense.

Since I try to be totally unbiased, I don’t include my observations as far as who works better with who or who is always asking questions, who is easily satisfied, and who wants every detail. But, if you attend one meeting, you get so much more out of the reporting.

Another thing that happened this week, covered on the front page, was a plane crash in Jasper County.

Now, I have the privilege of having access to a police/fire/EMS scanner, so I hear much of what goes on with the emergency services. The reason I have it is so I can respond to the likes of plane crashes (we have so many), car wrecks, fires, and other breaking news.

It may also give me a heads up about things I need to get more information on from the sheriff’s office. But, mostly it’s so I can respond when an emergency occurs. Now, mind you, I learned a long time ago how to stay out of the way, as well as what my rights are when I have to assert myself.

And, there’s lots of other meetings…and lots of other news items. I’m the editor and publisher, and it’s my job to oversee all that goes in. Susan Jacobs is the sports editor, and she also handles most of the school news. But, the responsibility of content truly falls on my shoulders.

And, I feel that my readers enjoy the school news…at least those with children. And, many enjoy reading all the sports, while others don’t take a look at that page.

We started the “Know You Neighbor” series last year and it has been well received. As long as people call us with suggestions of people to interview we figure you’re reading and enjoying.

We would like to cover more weddings and anniversaries, birthdays and births, but some people don’t take advantage of the newspaper to share their good news. For example, we had about three 50-year anniversaries last year, but I heard of more. And I heard of even longer anniversaries. We include that information for free when the family shares it with us. That way all the in the community, all your neighbors, can be happy for you.

And as for those long anniversaries, the young may seek you out to learn how you stay married to one person for 50 years or more.

Births….who is not happy to welcome a new addition to the family. You can scream it from the mountaintop, so to speak, by publishing it.

Let us share your good news.

But, I digress. I was talking about the importance of my job. I sure wish I got more feedback. How can I tell if I’m doing a good job? Please let us know what you think about The News…good, bad or indifferent. We aim to inform and believe we do a pretty good job of covering what goes on in the county. It can be a letter to the editor for publication or just a text or e-mail saying good job…you missed out, whatever. Thanks so much!