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Well, Weatherford, it’s been interesting.
In the two-and-a-half years that I’ve been editor at the Weatherford Democrat, that’s really the word that best sums up my experiences.
There have been very good times — times that didn’t always include laughter. One of my most memorable interviews was sitting in the dining room of a mother who had recently lost her son. Recalling her loss, she cried. I cried. And, when I left, I felt a closeness that comes when someone is kind enough to not only let you into their home, but let you see the emotions in their heart.
There have been some bad times. I got a call one afternoon from a person with good intentions. He wanted to let me know that a “hate blog” — an online chat board — had been started about me. I’m not sure what he expected me to do. It irritated me — I’m human. When someone talks bad about me, it’s upsetting. But, ultimately, I wouldn’t have taken any action. I believe people have the right to free speech and being in the public eye, I’m as much of a target as anyone else.
As you have probably guessed, however, no amount of bad has been able to chase me away and no amount of good can make me stay.
Soon, I’ll be leaving Weatherford on my own terms — and love me or hate me, you’ll still be in good hands.
I’m getting married in December and my fiance and I have decided to live in Denton, which is far too far away for me to continue the job of being a community editor.
The staff here at the Democrat will continue to persevere and in the coming days, you’ll find out all about the new editor that we’ve chosen to replace me.
Rest assured, the needs of readers in Parker County will continue to be a top priority for the Weatherford Democrat.
When I first moved to town in May 2010, I wanted to get to know everyone and I made sure that everyone knew I have an open-door policy. While that made for some interruptions during my regular work day, it enabled me to be able to meet as many people in the community as possible. I wouldn’t trade those missed minutes at my computer for anything.
Although I’ve heard, at times, that I must align myself with the most “powerful” people in Weatherford, the fact is that the most influential people here have been the ones who rarely try to curry favor with the public.
The truth is no one is more powerful than you, our average, ordinary reader. Don’t let anyone ever make you think anything different. I listen to my readers and go to great lengths to ensure that we have a common understanding. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. But, I always see my most important job as one that involves the “average Joe” or “average Jane.”
So many of you have let me into your homes and businesses to be interviewed for stories or just to chat. As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I will miss that most of all.
But, I am thankful, Weatherford, that I got to meet you and be here with you. It’s been interesting, and it’s also helped me grow.
Viewpoints
COLUMN: The time is nigh to say goodbye
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NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY: Survivors are heroes, too
Recently, we attended the production of two one-act plays at Weatherford College, both under the excellent direction of Nancy McVean. The first, entitled simply “New York,” was set in a Manhattan psychiatrist’s office shortly after 9-11 as 10 different patients who had either been present at the Twin Towers or had lost loved ones in the disaster came seeking solace. Each survivor struggled with their own grief and internal conflict as the doctor listened and tried to help.
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TISIONE: We worship the triune God
Many Christians recently celebrated the feast of Pentecost, which is sometimes called Whitsunday. Pentecost as you may know was celebrated in the Old Testament. The Bible refers to it as the Feast of Weeks. It was ordained by God to be one of the three mandatory celebrations in Israel along with Passover and the Feast of Booths.
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Honor Flight Fort Worth – the trip of a lifetime
WOW! What an experience! I have done many things, been to many places, but I must say that the Honor Flight ranks right up there with the best of those occasions.
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Letters to the Editor – May 23, 2013
America is being destroyed by voter fraud and the buying of votes by the followers of Karl Marx.
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CNHI EDITORIAL: Seizure of AP phone records an insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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NOW HEAR THIS: ‘What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate’
This famous quote addressing communication failure is a classic line from the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke,” starring Paul Newman. Strother Martin, who played the role of the warden in a southern prison, would use this phrase every time he gave Luke a good whack with his baton. The concept resonated so well with moviegoers that it was voted No. 11 of the 100 all-time favorite movie quotes according to the American Film Institute.
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Letters to the Editor – May 19, 2013
Do you remember the “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” sign that the personnel on the USS Abraham Lincoln displayed to greet President Bush when he went out to greet them?
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Guest opinion: Campaign with honor
All politics is local and personal! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful summer, filled with relationship building experiences and times of relaxation. As you do all the things that re-charge us for the next round at work and involvement in community and political activities, let’s reflect on the 2013 local elections for a moment.
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TISCIONE: Woe for calling evil good
You don’t often see “woe” used in an article. It’s a word that has fallen out of usage in our day. But it’s a word that ought to be understood and taken seriously.
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Letters to the Editor – May 17, 2013
As mercury pollution threatens our waterways and carbon pollution-fueled climate change worsens extreme weather, we need someone in Washington who knows how to get things done.
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