Feeding off feedback

Are you ready to read about writing? I hope so. Our cover story is about a journalist, and I have news to report about reporters’ awards. Add some letters I’ve received, plus a survey we’re launching, and this seems a good week to talk about the paper.

I get a lot of feedback, much of which is positive—and all of which is appreciated. Critiques are as important as raves.

One reader wrote: “Is it just me, or has your newspaper gone a bit soft?” Another: “I don’t care where you are from or whether or not your AC is working” and, after decrying two first-person pieces in last week’s issue, “Do I really need to remind you that you are actually a newspaper?”

I’m not going to rebuff anyone for sharing honest opinions, no matter how pointed or personal they are. What I will do is share my opinions, then ask for yours.

One reason I took this job is the paper’s mission to make a positive impact on the community. CN&R is owned and run by Chico Community Publishing—an apt name in my book, one that influences my editorial perspective.

I look for stories that have an impact where I live and work. There are many out there, and only so many the paper can print each week, so I—along with my colleagues—look at coverage as an ongoing process. We write about politics, but we’re more concerned over the issues behind the machinations. We have done investigative pieces and are working on others; you’ll see them as cover stories over the next few weeks.

Some weeks the paper has a harder edge than others. Take this week’s piece on Bill Powell, which I find compelling and contemporary even if most of the events happened a half-century ago. Once more, journalists get labeled as treasonous for reporting unpleasant truths in war time. The past instructs the present, which is why I’ve been eager to run this story.

Perhaps you feel otherwise about this piece or others. Let me know. Write a letter, either for publication or my edification. Call me. Even better, fill out the readership survey so I know what you like about the paper and what I should change. CN&R isn’t my paper; it’s our paper, from Chico Community Publishing to you.

Honor roll: The California Newspaper Publishers Association awarded CN&R three first-place plaques Saturday (July 15) in the 2005 Better Newspaper Contest, for columns, arts and entertainment coverage and business/financial story (on the Mechoopda Indian casino project). CNPA also recognized the paper for two feature stories and an environmental/ag resource story.

Congratulations to our arts team, Mark Lore and Jason Cassidy, as well as to the departed staffers whose work also got honored: Tom Gascoyne and Josh Indar. They, plus Devanie Angel, raised the bar as well as expectations here. On behalf of everyone here, I wish them continued success in their journalistic endeavors.