Opinion column: Hello, new neighbor!

Well, the time’s come, my dear readers.

I am leaving my position as staff writer at The Torrington Telegram. I’ve been promoted and will, as of Jan. 2, 2013, be the new editor of The Platte County Record-Times in Wheatland.

As you might note in the title of this column, I’m thinking of this less as a “goodbye, Goshen County” and more as a “hello, new neighbors.” I won’t be far away, and I’m sure you’ll still see me around Goshen County from time to time.

My stay in Torrington and in the county has been a learning experience, mostly of a positive nature. This is my first job outside of Ohio and really the first time I’ve been out on my own.

Goshen County was a dang good place to begin my new life. The people here have been kind to me. I’ve made many friends and very few enemies, and it’s been nice to hear feedback from the community, positive or negative. The compliments are great, and discussing the stories can be just as neat. The criticisms and the corrections have their own merit and value; it validates my suspicion people care about what’s in the paper.

My co-workers have also been great. I feel I’ve come a long way in my professional life since May 2010, and much of that can be credited to my superiors and colleagues both past and present. I’ve had something of a family in the newsroom and other departments, and I’m grateful to each one of them.

I’d also like to thank all the CRT students from the area high schools who helped the editorial department by writing stories and taking photos. Having you in our office proved to be just as much of a learning experience for me as it was for each one of you.

My gratitude will forever be with the many, many sources I’ve contacted. You’ve been honest and reliable and without you, I wouldn’t be able to do my job at all.

Of course, I’d like to thank you who are reading this. You, the reader, have been the focus of all my stories, and to be responsible for bringing you information on the latest meetings, breaking news or bringing you other stories I hoped warmed your heart, made you think or just learn something new about the county and people that surround you.

An added benefit to my experience in Goshen County is meeting my lovely girlfriend, Laura, who I think I need to thank here, too. For the several of you who don’t know, it was living in Torrington as a single man that eventually spurred me on to turning to the world of online dating. On a whim, I signed up for a site or two, came across this beautiful, intelligent, ambitious and kind Canadian girl with whom I fell in love. Laura, honey, if you’re reading this, I love you and cannot say enough for the support and love you’ve given me.

The New Year will bring a few new starts for me. I’ll be working with contributing writers, advertisers, designers, photographers and many others to make a product that is new to me for a county that is still an acquaintance to me. I’m both nervous and excited about the new opportunities and responsibilities ahead of me.

Thanks for everything, Goshen County. Looking back, I don’t think there was a better place to start my career. It’s been a true and humbling honor to serve you.

Hello, new neighbors. I’ll come and see you now and then.

Share on Facebook