2009 begins with changes

We’ve made a few changes in the editorial department at the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman that loyal readers may care about.

I’ve been made managing editor of the newspaper. Greg Johnson formerly held that position, but he has agreed to take over paginating the paper. That means he will determine how the pages look and I will lead the team in determining what goes into the paper. Greg will also do some reporting, which is greatly appreciated given the shortage of fannies we have in reporters’ chairs these days.

That gives me the opportunity to say, with regrets, that reporter Michael Rovito is leaving the paper to join the staff of state Sen. Linda Menard, who will represent the Valley in Juneau. In his place, we have hired a young reporter named Todd Disher, a University of Oregon graduate. He has a love of the outdoors and interviewed during the shortest, coldest days of the year and still wanted the job.

We’ve also been a little short-handed lately with our sports editor, Jeremiah Bartz, and photo editor, Robert DeBerry, out of the office so they can get to know their new daughter and son, respectively. Jeremiah is due back Wednesday and Robert will start working his way back as the demands at home begin to diminish.

All of this is to say that there are changes afoot at the Frontiersman. And that’s typical of newspapers just about anywhere. In these uncertain times, though, many newspapers are turning to online content more. We plan to be more active online as well, but my heart lives with the print product. The one you can hold in your hands and read while enjoying a cup of coffee or a sandwich.

As the weeks and months go by, we hope to bring a new energy to the newspaper and our online brother.

You can help by pointing out, gently, where we need to do more, or even what we are doing right that you appreciate.

We will also encourage columns and essays and letters from you. And photographs, blogs and videos.

More voices make for more dialogue and a paper you want to read, even if you don’t always agree with what is said by us or your neighbors.

Thanks for reading all these years, or if you’ve just found us, good for you.

T.C. Mitchell is managing editor at the Frontiersman and can be reached at 352-2269 or tc.mitchell@frontiersman.com.