In every person’s life, there comes a time when change, wanted or not, is necessary.

For the past 10 years, five of which have been spent in Biddeford at the Journal Tribune, I have dedicated my life to bringing the news to five different newspaper communities. I have worked in the coal belt of Pennsylvania, the urban metropolis of Pittsburgh, the rural farmlands of Amish country, and here, my beloved York County, Maine.

Now, however, is my time for change. Effective Friday, I will be leaving the Journal Tribune, and the newspaper business.

Change isn’t an easy thing. Fear of what comes next dominates one’s psyche, and I cannot say that I am not at least a bit timid about what could happen in my next career pursuit.

During my time here, I have played witness to numerous events and spoken to thousands of people who make York County great. From the saving of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from closure to the great fires of the twin cities (which will soon be the stuff of legend) to the political activities that make each day something new will always be in my mind. It is hard to think of a 5 a.m. alarm clock wake up that won’t include finding out what happened the day before, or in the night while I slept.

But, opportunity is here, and I am going to take the step and prepare for a transition of not being the guy who funnels everything that happens to you.

I leave the Journal Tribune in good hands. The staff of the newsroom, sports, advertising, circulation, classifieds and production departments are capable and dedicated to the craft of producing the highest quality newspaper they can for you, the reader. I have no fear whatsoever that the Journal Tribune will remain York County’s only daily newspaper, and the voice of the people it serves.

I especially want to thank my managers for their diligence in making my job a bit easier each day.

I want to recognize Nick Cowenhoven, Chris Brockman and Kristen Muszynski for being three of the best editors a publisher could ask for. I want to thank my writing staff of Tammy Wells, Dina Mendros, Liz Gotthelf, Dan Hinkling and Robyn Burnham for always getting the story straight and for being fair and balanced.

I also want to thank the contacts in the community I have made that keep us in the news. Many names come to mind, but special thanks go to Joe Hanslip, Maura and Marguerite Herilhy in Sanford, JoAnne Fisk in Biddeford, Saco Fire Chief Alden Murphy, Saco Police Chief Brad Paul, and the entire officer and uniformed firefighter corps of the Biddeford Fire Department, which is one of the best I have ever seen.

And, to all my “sources” in the community (and you know who you are), thank you.

To the rest, you are in good hands. Our political leaders are showing what they are made of each day, and though I have had to remind them of what is right every now and then, it was a rare criticism.

So, to all, I will miss you. Though I will remain a resident of the area, a new life is ahead, and I will miss waking up and putting out the best paper I can for you every day.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen Schulze Muszynski or Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535 Ext. 322 or 327 or at kristenm@gwi.net or cityeditor@gwi.net.

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