It’s a new year here at The Lake Orion Review in more ways than just the date on the calendar. After nearly seven years as a reporter here, I was recently named the new editor after Elaine Stieb decided it was time for her to move on.
When I started at The Review in 1999, I was fresh out of journalism school and a bit ‘green? to say the least.
I remember one of my first assignments was to cover an Orion Township Board of Trustees meeting. In my story the following week, I somehow managed to ‘kill off? the then-president of the Hi Hill Homeowner’s Association.
He called me a few days later, to joke that he was looking forward to reading his own obituary.
Lucky for me, our readers were generous and forgiving as I found my rhythm. I’ve met a lot of amazing people during my time here, many of whom I’m happy to be able to call friends.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was getting my first introduction to the area. After living in Oxford for three years, I have now lived in Lake Orion for another three, and it really does feel like home.
I can’t tell you how many times someone has approached me as I’ve been out and about, and said I did an article on them.
I’m glad I made enough of an impression that they would remember me years later, and I hope I can still maintain that type of relationship with readers in my new role.
I’m crediting much of my growth as a reporter to Elaine. Thanks to her for always enduring my endless questions with patience and a smile.
That said, I hope to make my own mark here as The Review editor.
I’m asking for your input as well. What do you think of the new look of the paper? Would you like to see more feature stories? More government news? Less? I need opinions!
I’ll also be working diligently to catch all those spelling and grammatical errors that irritate readers so much.
Although I won’t be attending as many meetings, school and sports events as I did as a reporter, I still hope to be just as accessible to the community.
I look forward to your opinions, both good and bad, as I settle in as editor. After all, without you, readers, what would be the point of my job?
Again, I’m going to be a little ‘green? again as I get started; but stick with me because I think you’re going to be pleased.