The World According to Fitz: I was determined to not write about
beer or cops this Friday, but then the City of Hollister goes ahead
and hires a guy named Miller as the new police chief.
There goes that plan on both counts. At least he’s not from my
hometown of Chicago, which has also been in every other paragraph
so far.
The World According to Fitz: I was determined to not write about beer or cops this Friday, but then the City of Hollister goes ahead and hires a guy named Miller as the new police chief.
There goes that plan on both counts. At least he’s not from my hometown of Chicago, which has also been in every other paragraph so far.
As usual, we were having a deep intellectual conversation in the newsroom the other day about the many intricate issues that we have to deal with as highly trained professional journalists.
For example, I think the Bears have a good shot at upsetting the 49ers on Sept. 7, especially if Jeff Garcia is kind enough to rest his aching back and sit that game out.
We also were thinking about headlines for our new top cop.
“It’s Miller Time For Hollister.”
“Hollister Taps Miller”
“Cheers To The New Chief.”
“Miller Won’t Be Lite on Crime.”
“Miller Drafts a Genuine Plan.”
Anyway, I’m glad they gave the guy another chance. And I’ll be toasting to his success in a matter of hours.
NEW STAFF MEMBERS: Please join me in welcoming two new staff members to our award-winning newsroom team.
Erin Musgrave joins us from Chico State, where she wrote some outstanding articles while earning her degree in journalism. Erin will cover law enforcement and our good friends in San Juan Bautista, along with writing a column and a variety of feature stories.
Morgan Tharp will start Monday as our new city editor. Morgan recently graduated from Cal State Northridge, where she was editor in chief of that university’s outstanding newspaper.
We are also fortunate to have recent San Benito High graduate Amanda Smith writing some terrific feature stories for us.
Also, Linda Lee King has stepped down from her full-time reporter role, but will continue to pen her popular weekly column from the Last Chance Ranch.
And veteran staff photographer Pablo Balancio has resigned to pursue some other interests.
Linda and Pablo did some excellent work for the Free Lance over the years.
CITIZENS VOICE: There has been quite a buzz around town over our new feature on the Opinion Page, in which we print anonymous comments from our readers.
I hope you’re enjoying it. Like most ideas, I stole this one from my last job in Provo, Utah, where we had a “Rant and Rave” column in the sports section.
There was a lot of response to it both in the paper and on the Web site, especially when BYU football was in action.
Let me know how you feel about Citizens Voice, which now has a Hotline phone number as well, if you haven’t already.
We also want good old signed letters to the editor and appreciate the time and effort to express your thoughts in that forum. Guest editorials will also be printed.
A big part of our job at this newspaper is to express our opinion on issues that affect our daily lives in this wonderful community – and even more important, to provide a fair and open forum for your opinions.
Again, thanks for the passion and participation when you write us a letter, send an e-mail or give us a call.
OUR LOCAL HEROES: Let’s have a big round of applause for the many organizers, sponsors, volunteers and participants of National Night Out, which was held last Tuesday in downtown Hollister and for the first time in San Juan Bautista.
There is nothing more important in our communities than the safety and well-being of our children.
Great job everyone!
Mike Fitzgerald is Associate Publisher/Executive Editor of the Hollister Free Lance. He can be reached at 637-5566 ext. 337 or at mf*********@fr***********.com. His commentary appears in every weekend edition.
