The new kid on the block

First of all, thanks.

Thanks to everyone in Bigfork who has made my first few weeks here as a reporter good ones, and to all of you who offered kind words and encouragement about the Eagle.

As many of you around town know, we've been operating without an editor for the last few weeks and while it has been tough at times, I think you'll agree that the paper hasn't slipped much and that it's starting to head in a slightly different direction. The fact that a paper came out at all can be largely attributed to our sports and outdoors reporter Faith Moldan, customer service representative Jesie Wolff and sales representative Robyn Rhodes, who picked up plenty of slack where the new guy could not.

Our publisher, Tom Kurdy, chose me as the new editor this week and I hope it marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the paper and the community.

That's why we're looking to you to call in or send us news, accomplishments and events happening around Bigfork, some of which we will inevitably not be able to get to ourselves. We can't publish everything, every time, but we'd like to talk to you about it and keep lines of communication open.

A community newspaper should strive to strike a balance between providing a forum for the community and providing honest journalism through tough reporting and fair coverage.

As part of that effort, consider this a call not only for news and events, but also for opinions. Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged and we're looking for well-written, well-reasoned guest columns to run on our opinion pages. It would be foolish not to call on the wide range of people and experiences that have converged in this small place and we encourage you to share your voice through us.

I'll be trying to meet as many people as possible in the coming months, but please don't hesitate to stop by or call with questions, concerns and suggestions.

A newspaper can only be as good as the relationship with its readers and I look forward to entering the conversation.

My door is open.

-Alex Strickland