Love of journalism continues even in times of change

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Theresa Fritz

EMC Lifestyle - As I write these words, I find myself being somewhat nostalgic. The end is nearing for the EMCs in their current form.

Have no fear, the coverage of local community news and events you have become used to will continue, it will just be under a merged title of the EMC and the existing Metroland Media community newspapers. The dedicated editorial staff across the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley is committed to bringing you the stories that affect you and your neighbours. I have no doubt that will only get better in the weeks and months to come.

As for me, I will be part of the new team. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had over nearly seven years with the EMC. I have met some incredible people, told some amazing stories and fallen in love with communities I knew very little about before I started this job.

While I oversaw Kanata, Stittsville, Arnprior and West Carleton, I developed a special affinity for Arnprior and West Carleton - the two communities I covered personally.

In fact, my love of journalism has never been stronger. I have been a journalist for 22 years now and I have never, ever, regretted my choice of profession. Sure, it isn't the highest paying job, and you have to give up many evenings and weekends, but if you do it right, you get so much out of it.

I love being able to relay information to readers, enlighten them on the issues that matter most to them, and every once in a while, touch a soul. There is nothing better.

I have had the privilege of working with some amazing editors during my career. The first, David Johnston, has actually been a freelancer of mine for the past few years here at the EMC. How weird is that? But, Dave gave me an opportunity to most budding journalists would love to have. He believed in me and allowed me to follow my heart on stories. I was able to test my wings and take chances and he was always ready to listen, answer questions and offer advice. If not for him taking a chance on me, I don't know where I might be today.

My next editor is someone I have had the pleasure of working for on two separate occasions at two different jobs - Ryland Coyne. Ryland, like Dave, gave me a chance back in late 1990 by offering me a job at papers he was overseeing in Almonte and Carleton Place. He believed I could rise to the challenge and I believe I did.

He is someone I admire and whose work ethic only inspires his staff to work harder.

For my tenure at the EMC, he has been the one person I could turn to when I had questions, needed advice, a sounding board or just a calm, cool, collected head when I flew the wrong way. Thank you doesn't seem like enough, but there you have it.

And finally, columnist and feature writer Jeff Maguire, who was my boss for many, many years, prior to my arrival at the EMC. He too, has taught me so much and he is a fountain of information, which, in community journalism, is a key to doing the job right. I am proud to call Jeff a friend.

Jeff has been an asset to the EMC with his sports coverage, travel columns and personal columns on everything from his unique view of the world to issues right in our backyard. He has been a mentor, an inspiration and someone I have learned so much from and continue to learn from.

So at the end of the day, change is imminent and as much as I have not been a big fan of change, I take comfort in knowing I love what I do, am good at it and have been a respected voice in all the communities in which I have had the pleasure of working.

So, look forward and not back. Look to the future and not the past. But never forget those who made a difference and never forget the value community newspapers play in the communities they serve and the reporters who work there.

We all may get our national or international news from other sources, but I always pick up my community paper to find out what is going on where I live and I know others do the same. I like knowing others are reading my words and learning something about their community.

To quote a column I have had on the wall of every newspaper I have ever worked at:

"...a community's newspaper is its voice, and its best friend...believe it."

In closing, I wish all of you who are reading this all the best for 2012.