Beacon to the Community

I was working on a story a short time ago. After pulling up a new document on the computer to write on, I did what I usually do to begin — typed in my name and title. You have seen it a hundred times. It usually starts almost every article in a newspaper — the author’s name and title.
So I typed in, “By David Williams.”
Then I typed in, “NL Staff Writer.” Up to now, that was just fine. But this occasion I found myself backspacing and typing in, “NL Editor.”
I had to smile a little bit.
I am deeply honored and humbled that Barry has entrusted the responsibility of editor to me. These papers have been his extended children for many, many years, and handing off a piece of their growth and development to a guy off the street — admittedly, one who ha been around journalism for a few years — is both a sobering and frightening proposition.
I am now the News Leader’s only editor in 24 years that does not have the last name of Merrill.
I have come to know Barry as a man who deeply cares for the communities he lives in and the people who live there. He believes firmly in the responsibility he has as the owner of the Princeton and Fremont papers.
And he has placed a lot of faith in me that not only will I maintain the relationship he has worked to build with the communities he serves, but I will also expand and strengthen that relationship.
That’s an awesome responsibility. And I do not take it lightly.
I have been fortunate to have as many years in this field as I do without ever having to change addresses. So as I accept the role of editor, I do not have to relearn the area or its people. I know the issues that drive the politics of the area. I understand what traditions this area has held, and what challenges in the future will try and coexist with those traditions.
It is my wish that the paper continue its role as the beacon of the communities it serves. That will happen only as our relationship deepens and grows. Good journalism comes through a mutual trust and reliance on each other — for you to give me good leads on stories and me to earn your trust by reporting on stories with fairness, accuracy and an eye on how it impacts the community.
We are not always going to agree. You did not always agree with Barry 100 percent of the time, and I do not possess any supernatural powers that will change that. Individual perception is as unique as a fingerprint, so what you think will not ever be a carbon copy of what I think.
But the communication lines work best when a free exchange of ideas is completed. I would like to see more letters to the editor in the paper, which will reflect the thoughts and feelings of all of you. And there is no rule that says you can’t call me up and take me to task on any particular issue, although I would prefer you do that on paper.
Our paper is a reflection of you, and we strive to ensure that with every edition.
There are some challenges in personnel to address, and like every small paper in America, the editor will never stop writing stories, covering news, taking photos — or making the coffee and taking out the trash. But these papers have grown exponentially while I have been here, and hopefully that growth can continue and blossom even more.
I have been performing editorial tasks in the last few months, and little about what I am doing will change with the adoption of the formal title. But the responsibility I accept with this position should give me a daily reminder of what I need to be doing and who I answer to, in addition to Barry.