Kim Hone-McMahan, who retired April 5 after 35 years with the BJ,
wrote a magnificent farewell column.
It doesn’t need any embellishment by me.
Columnist is proud
to have worked with fine journalists
I retired Tuesday.
Whoopee! Yahoo! Cool beans! … I’m nervous.
It’s understandable
after 35 years in one profession to feel uneasy about hanging up my hat —
especially a career that I loved so much. A job that allowed me to see the
best, and of course the worst, in people.
It was a privilege,
though regretfully so, to bring you stories about things like a riot at the
Lucasville prison; Hurricane Katrina; serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and Thomas
Dillon; domestic violence allegations against a police chief; and the turbulent
tenure of former Akron School Superintendent Terry Grier.
But in the end, it
is those who have done so much — and have been through so much — that inspired
me the most. People like a woman who was sprayed with nitric acid by her former
husband; a little girl whose spine was severed by her first adoptive family
after arriving here from Russia; and dozens of families who have lost loved
ones to heroin and narcotic painkillers.
They have taught me
about compassion and perseverance at times when it would have been easy to
believe there was no hope.
I was fortunate to
report on the World Series in 1995. Remember those days when Cleveland came oh,
so close? And I was thrilled to tell you about many of the extraordinary folks
in our area who give of themselves to help others.
You lifted me up
during my darkest hour following the sudden death of my 23-yearold daughter,
Brooke, who died in her sleep during a seizure. For this and so many other
reasons — thank you. It’s not enough, I know, but sometimes there are just no
words grand enough.
Keep reading
It’s popular to beat
up on the media these days. Journalists are often targets for those looking to
blame someone for the ills of humanity. But that’s silly — and they don’t know
the folks that bring you the news like I do.
Newspapers across
the nation have suffered because of the popularity of the Internet. As a
result, there are fewer working newspaper journalists to bring you the news.
Frankly, there is not enough money in the coffers to replace my column, though
your stories will continue to be told as only your daily paper can tell them.
While there are
countless websites touting the news, most are not mainstream news
organizations. Their reports are often biased, made up, or simply wrong. So,
while newspapers continue to cut back and reporters pick up jobs doing
something other than what they were trained to do, it’s open season for folks
like some politicians and others who need to be watched. Watchdog journalism is
getting less and less affordable — and, ultimately, that is very bad for all of
us.
What I can tell you
— and please keep in mind that I am no longer employed by the Beacon Journal —
is the journalists there are among the most talented in the United States. All
you have to do is pick up a newspaper while you are traveling and that will
become quickly apparent.
While other
organizations profess to be your best source of news locally, no other
organization can tell you what is happening in your neighborhood better. Even
with cuts in the newsroom, the paper has more reporters than any local radio or
television station.
That, folks, is the
reason to continue to support the Beacon Journal. It is with great pride that I
have been permitted to work for an organization with such fine journalists.
Saying that, please visit my Facebook page (Kim Hone-McMahan).
There, I will share stories
written by my talented former colleagues and will continue to encourage you to
engage in lively discussions.
Again, thank you for
the privilege of coming into your homes. It has been an honor.
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