July 10, 2008
As the new publisher of the Prescott Journal, I'm excited to be taking on the duties, but I'd say it's a final realization of a vision for this opportunity that dates back more than a decade.
I had inquired a while back about buying the Journal from Gary Rawn. "No, I'm not interested in selling just now," was always the response I got back from the salty old codger. I met Gary when I was the owner of the Spooner Advocate and the Sawyer County Record, newspapers I had nursed back to financial health in the mid 80s.
A month or so back I had called to inquire about buying the Journal via a mutual friend. That's when I was informed the New Century Press (NCP) had worked out a deal to take over the management of the paper from Gary. I was disappointed. However, a short time later, I was approached by NCP's chief operating officer that the position of publisher-more commonly known as the chief cook and bottle washer-was open. Immediately, I requested a shot at the position.
A few phone calls, emails and interviews later, I was given the task of guiding the Journal through the next phase of growth.
Now that I'm in place, there are a few things that I need to make clear to you, the real owners of this newspaper. While I may publish it and NCP make operate and eventually own the right to publish the Prescott Journal, in fact, this newspaper belongs to the people of Prescott.
Now, that being said, it's up to you to decide whether you want to lay claim to it and participate on a weekly basis. As publisher I can guarantee each of you that we will stick to the principles of honest reporting, we'll call the shots the way we see them, but our opinions will be confined to the editorial page, and we will strive for absolute objectivity.
Our staff will try to capture in print what the folks of our town are doing. You may be involved in the chamber of commerce, a Little League, Cardinal academics, sports and arts, or a church activity, but our objective is to report and photograph those activities.
I seek the assistance of every reader and resident of our town to keep us informed about activities and people who accomplish great things.
In addition to continuing the weekly publishing of the Journal it is on our radar to begin publishing a magazine that captures the lifestyle that is unique to our neck of the woods.
Keith Hansen
"There is no suffering comparable with that which a private person feels when he is for the first timepilloried in print."
Mark Twain
Life on the Mississippi
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