Welcome to the obligatory farewell column by your friendly, local editor.
I debated whether to write this or not because a good-bye column seems so cliche. I wondered who would really care about me moving on in my career. (Save for Dale Stuart who if he heard the news would probably be up here at 5 S. Main helping me pack.) But then I figured I have written about my wedding, television habits and family so the bar is really not that high. So for my loyal three readers, here it is:
For those of you who have not heard I decided to hang up my editorial red pen here at The Clarkston News. After spending three years at this fine community newspaper, I am off to a new job at BNP Media in Troy.
I came to this job about three years ago, looking for the opportunity to continue my journalism career and also return to Metro Detroit. After spending a few years trapped in the Andy Griffith episode which was called West Michigan, the move was refreshing. In my time as editor I have gained knowledge, friendships and about 20 pounds.
I would like to thank the Sherman family for giving me the great opportunity to run their paper. They took a chance on a 25-year-old with a few years of newspaper experience and for that I am grateful. The Shermans, along with the Assistant to the Publisher Don Rush, have taught me a lot in my time here. It will be knowledge that I will put to good use as I further my career.
I would also like to thank the excellent staff that has made my job a lot easier. Current and former writers including Don Schelske, Alicia Dorset, Noah Purcell, Jeff Patrus, Jennifer Nemer, Ed Davis and Harry Knitter have been intricate in helping me produce this paper.
However, our hard working staff does not end with them. The advertising department, which frustrated me about half as much as I frustrated them, also made my job a lot easier. In many newspapers there is an annoying rivalry that takes place between these two departments, but that is not the case at The Clarkston News. Also the office staff who spends their days reminding me of things I should have written down and giving me a heads-up on phone calls from people not too pleased with my work, often get overlooked, but shouldn’t.
My predecessor, Maralee Cook, also needs to be recognized for beginning my transition into this position and always being available to take my phone calls.
But most of all I would like to thank the entire community which has made me feel at home these past years. My only Clarkston knowledge when I arrived was this was Fife country and had a Mr. B’s Restaurant. Now I feel that I am an official member of the community.
For that I thank the friendly nature of this town and the hometown spirit. It is a tough position to step into but this community made the transition easy.
See you around.
(Kyle Gargaro is the former editor of The Clarkston News. His e-mail address is KyleG44@aol.com.)