Did you make any resolutions based on what went right or wrong this past year? On one hand, 2019 is water under the bridge, so get over it and move on. On the other, hindsight is 20/20, so live and learn. I suspect for most people it’s a combination of the two; but for our newsletter, it’s decidedly the latter perspective.
Looking back on the year, a major positive was the newsletter’s seamless transition from 12 to 16 pages. Early on, there was some skepticism from the board: would the added cost be worth it? Would there be enough ads to finance it? Would there be sufficient content to fill the pages? No doubt it was uncharted territory, but it was also clear (at least to me as editor) that the time had come for expansion in the face of repeated postponements of articles due to lack of space, which is especially problematic in a bimonthly publication like ours. Well, the doubts are assuaged. As you can see in this issue, the pages are replete with articles and ads, and revenue generated from new advertisers has kept pace with the increase in publication costs. Moreover, additional space has allowed us to accommodate a greater variety of content, principally from inclusion of article submissions from residents at large.
The newsletter’s style and content, however, have not always been to the liking of readers this past year—namely those admittedly edgy articles about both demolition-related residential infill development policy and rhetoric from Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and Office of Community & Civic Life Director Suk Rhee censuring neighborhood associations and their leaders as elitist, insular, and even racist. As an editor and as a reporter, my response to the critics is two-fold. First, we stand behind the facts presented in our articles. Second, it’s fully understood that articles for public consumption open the door for public scrutiny, which the board welcomes in the form of thoughtful “Letter to the Board” editorials (limited to 150 words), the most recent of which can be found on page 14. I should add that “Letter to the Board” editorials need not be confined to criticism of articles. Letters can, and often do, speak to any neighborhood issue or local concern.
Constructive criticism also emanates from within. A newsletter team member posed the following question to me: is it appropriate for an editor to also be a reporter and editorialist? The question implies that it would be wise for me to steer clear of the controversy inherent in editorial writing and investigative reporting. Fair question. My observation is that most newspaper and magazine editors write commentaries and occasionally pen articles. It’s extra work, and a bit of a risk, but also gratifying.
Speaking of which, our newsletter received its share of compliments in 2019 as well, and particularly heartening was a recent e-mail received from Brian and Robin Crumrine, owners and operators of the Alberta Petite Hotel on NE Alberta Street, which, I am happy to announce, is our newsletter’s newest advertiser. Their message to us was simple and sweet: “The Newsletter you all publish is great—we look forward to it arriving every other month.” Welcome aboard, Robin and Brian!
Best wishes for a happy and productive 2020! (resolutions not withstanding…)