It’s about community

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It is never tiring to hear what a great community newspaper we have in The Pagosa Springs SUN.

My first job at the newspaper was in 1979. Since then, I’ve seen two publishers come and go, along with several different editors. Back in the day, one such editor dropped off his keys to the office after the first snowstorm of winter, never to be seen or heard from again.

Outside of the nameless gentleman previously mentioned, The SUN has been blessed to have some talented editors over the years. Each of them made their mark not just in newsprint, but also in our community as a whole.

With the retirement of Karl Isberg last week, many have posed the question, “How will you replace him?”

What are we going to do without Karl?

We will move forward.

We will continue to be your award-winning community newspaper. As a matter of fact, the best Christmas present that I was received this year was notification that our newspaper staff garnered 49 awards from the Colorado Press Association — the most awards ever received by The SUN in one year.

In the year 2000, David Mitchell approached me about buying the newspaper when he retired. It was David’s goal to keep the ownership of the newspaper in the community, and he told me he had chosen me to be the owner because, “The newspaper wouldn’t be what it is today without you.”

I had never thought of owning a newspaper before that, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. David passed away in 2002, before he ever made it to retirement. David’s family — Cynthia, Chuck, Tom, Dan and Drew Mitchell — all supported the decision for me to buy the newspaper. By the time I took over ownership in 2003, I had 21 years of newspaper experience.

Our entire SUN staff has years of experience in editing, reporting, advertising and marketing, and in the pressroom and mailroom. Three employees have worked at The SUN for 30 years or more. All combined, you have 129 years of newspaper experience in your community newspaper staff.

Five SUN staff members graduated from Pagosa Springs High School. You have native Pagosans and transplants alike who are dedicated to producing your community newspaper each week.

Those who were blessed to have worked with Karl know that, while we are all replaceable, Karl is someone we probably never can completely replace.

But, we will move forward.

We will be stronger in some ways, and weaker in others.

We will make changes. We will try new things. We will be successful at some and fail at others.

We hope to hear from you about what you would like to see more of, and less of, in your community paper. We want your ideas and your stories. The best way to share is to e-mail editor@pagosasun.com. I will be the one receiving those emails and taking over the editorial responsibilities of your weekly community newspaper.

I can assure you that our goal, not just for 2014, but for years to come, is to continue being the best community newspaper that we can be.

Terri Lynn Oldham House