As the school year winds to a close, it’s time to reflect on what an incredibly good year it has been. The working relationship between the school administration, city officials and newspaper staff is excellent. Our community benefits when all public officials work together transparently and humbly for the good of the whole, instead of for personal agendas.
Seven weeks ago, I had surgery and was advised to be off work for six to eight weeks. Our newspaper is a part of a larger organization and many of the business end is handled through other offices in Fayetteville and Little Rock (such as advertising and subscriptions). We have a small staff for editorial and I was concerned about how everything would get done. But, I needn’t have worried. Stacey Mooneyhan, the TIMES news clerk, and Kent Marts, publisher of theNorthwest Arkansas Newspaper weeklies, joined forces and covered our community and put out the newspaper.
But, they could not have done it alone.
Thankfully, school teachers, administrators and staff cheerfully provided the newspaper staff with information, photographs and truly helped inform the public. I began working part-time before my medical leave was over, but have been humbled by the energy limitations and the pain which slows me down. It is frustrating to not be able to do all one wants to do. At the end of the school year, there are many events worthy of newspaper coverage, but it is impossible to beat each event.
We are especially grateful to Ladonna Penner, Matt McCool, Sarah Stokes, Keith Martin, Tony Travis, Jon Laffoon and Rick Neal for keeping the newspaper informed and providing photographs and information. It has been a delight to work with such consummate professionals.
Although not everyone in Pea Ridge has a child or grandchild in the school, but the school is the largest employer in this town and each child and employee there contributes to this community. It behooves each resident of this community to stay informed and to help make it the best community and school possible. And, every property owner has a vested interest with property taxes supporting the school.
There are many sources for news in today’s culture.
We at The TIMES of Northeast Benton County are committed to covering this community as thoroughly as we can and we definitely rely on you, the reader, to keep us informed and provide stories, news tips and photographs. Together, we will continue to have an award-winning newspaper.
Thank you!
◊◊◊
Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas three years in a row. A native of Louisiana, she moved to northwest Arkansas in 1980 to work for the Benton County Daily Record. She has nine children, four sons-in-law, four grandsons, a granddaughter and another grandson due in August. She can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions of the writer are her own, and are not necessarily those of The Times.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 05/29/2013