Many staffers have passed through the pages of The Free Press this year: their voices embedded in stories, their perspectives frozen on film, and their passions filling the space between the two. The Free Press exists to tell the stories of the USM community but it is also a story itself and the product is a reflection of the personalities living the story.
The Free Press has been brought to you this year courtesy of:
News Editor John Bronson: Already declared in his editorial last week (he was a step ahead of me again) he’ll be taking over as executive editor. He is a powerful leader and not afraid of a challenge. He’s also a responsible skilled reporter, adept at deciphering and presenting a story. Under his leadership the face of The Free Press will change for the better.
Arts Editor Brian O’Keefe: Is ready for a “real job” and I can’t blame him. Working for around a buck an hour gets old when you’re scrounging around for that last pack of ramen noodles only to discover you had to feed it to the dog last night. Brian brought us the innovative column “Urgent News of the Past” (which would be a great column to maintain but I’m not sure anybody else would do it as well). He also revived the barely breathing reviews of music and arts.
Sports Editor Craig Giammona: Also has a “real job” (in journalism, check out The Portland Forecaster for his byline) has graciously yielded his position to a wily student who can experience the joys of a college newspaper. We’ll miss his Monday night football columns, plagued as they were with sex scandal and drug references.
Photo Editor Iris Burke: Currently a MECA student but has been sucked into The Free Press vortex and will not only stay on as photo editor but will also make the complete transformation to being a USM student. Her technical knowledge is complete and her photos are superb. She is equipped and ready to train the next set of passionate photographers.
Production Manager Joe Lops: Has been on staff for two years and was formerly our photo editor intends to pursue his photography and design interests overseas. Though Joe won’t be around, the dead dogs he introduced to The Free Press will persist. In fact, Bronson thinks “The Dead Dog” could be a charming name for a university paper.
Ad Manager John Marshall: Isn’t going anywhere. When he started as a photography intern, I shrugged my shoulders with a puzzled look in my eyes. Former Ad Manager Elise Adams left in December and I knew John Marshall was our man. Marshall is a suave salesman. He be-bops into a joint, schmoozes, cuts a deal and be-bops right on out. His energy will carry him through another hectic year balancing the Student Senate, The Free Press and his many other endeavors.
Copy Editor Derek Lobley: Former Free Press groupie turned staffer will be missed. There’ll be no resident vegetarian left stinking the place up with the scent of roasting tofu dogs. Derek brought not only stinky tofu to The Free Press but some of the most humorous house ads to date.
Adviser Jess Kilby: Former Portland Phoenix reporter recently landed at The Free Press and easily established her role. She has already begun evaluating the current situation and collaborating with next year’s staff plotting improvement. Her presence is a slow sigh of relief: especially after suffering the year without much guidance.
There were also many others who marked their spot on The Free Press newsprint. Elise Adams stayed on as ad manager for a semester after her tenure as executive editor was up. She simplified the position by setting up sales systems where there formerly were none. That job is no longer a daunting, frustrating mess.
Liz Baish worked first semester as production manager, setting a new precedent by cleaning up and tightening overall design. Michael McAllister expanded our distribution. If you don’t come to campus on Mondays and you must have your Free Press check out Videoport and local coffee shops. They’re all over town. And he’ll be around next year too. Josie Lord brought you and will continue bringing you winning website polls. There are also many writers, photographers and other contributors who toiled away without pay because they care.
The full staff hasn’t officially been chosen yet for next year but all the candidates are talented, charming and quite good-looking. With these newcomers filling the places of the exiting staff the dynamics and personality of The Free Press will change again. It can never be the same twice.
So I thank you. The staff. The readers. And everybody who was there pulling me away from the edge. It’s been intense and I’ve learned more in this past year than I sometimes wanted. I won’t completely disappear though. I don’t let go that easily.
If you have a bone to pick with The Free Press, Christy McKinnon can no longer be contacted for comment. Please send all gripes, complaints or general annoyances to John Bronson at [email protected]