If all goes as planned, which sometimes happens, by the time you read this The Suffield Observer will have a new chairperson. After nearly a decade in the position, and approaching my 75th birthday, I decided it is time for me to leave the post, and at a scheduled meeting in early May the Board will have elected a new chair. I did not want to disappear without reviewing some of the best and worst times of my tenure and thanking those who really do the work.
Like all chairs, my primary duty was to honor our mission statement, which in my opinion, was always like walking a tightrope to fulfill two distinct, and at least somewhat contradictory, goals. The original official mission, which reflected the reasons why Sam Fuller and friends created the paper during what was a somewhat contentious period for the town, was “to build a sense of community throughout the town of Suffield.” A second goal, added subsequently, was “to provide a forum where all sides of issues may be addressed.” I have always believed that these dual goals are somewhat contradictory, since presenting specific and different views on controversial issues, appropriate as that goal is, risks weakening rather than strengthening a sense of community. So, the chair, like the wonderful editorial staff, constantly must try to balance the two. That is the reason, for example, that submissions must be civil, and focused on issues rather than attacking individuals. That balancing act is also the basis for some policy changes, such as changing submission deadlines so, when appropriate, the “other side” has an opportunity to respond in the same issue.
Due to forces beyond our control, I also had to address some unique challenges. Very soon after I started my tenure we learned only a few weeks before publication date and without notice, that our long-time printing company was immediately ceasing work on newspapers like ours. With the help of our business manager, we were able to find a replacement printer and the issue appeared in mailboxes as scheduled.
Another unique challenge was the one no one wants to remember, the Covid shutdown. Barred from our office, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our Editor in Chief and webmasters, we continued to publish online, providing important information for our community and often free advertisements to our struggling local companies. Throughout my tenure we have continued to expand our internet presence. Thanks to the abilities and efforts of our webmasters the paper is available free online for students at college, relocated retirees and others no longer in town.
The happiest unique moment occurred in April 2025, when Observer volunteers, and some long-term advertisers, past and present and guests gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the paper. It is hard to articulate just how rare it is for a free community newspaper to have survived for a quarter of a century, and many present, including this writer, were proud of the accomplishment. But more importantly, it was a reminder of the truly wonderful volunteers that made it all possible. These include reporters and columnists, the advertising staff, word processors, the InDesign Team, the production team, photographers and proofreaders. Working with so many wonderful volunteers, whose contributions to getting the paper out ten times a year is humbling and far outweigh any aggravation arising from the challenges.
Lastly, I note that we are living in changing times, where disagreements easily fall into verbal crusades, reflecting an unwillingness to see and respect the other viewpoint. We at the paper are aware that in some circles there is a perception that a particular viewpoint is determinative of what gets published. That has never been the case, and there have been many times when our Editor-in-Chief has solicited (sometimes successfully and sometimes not) viewpoints that differ from that already submitted, even if the “contrary” article would favor a position different than her own viewpoint.
We have strived to combat the perception, and any valid criticism, with policy changes and recruiting a new Board of Directors with more viewpoint diversity. And during our last election cycle we received criticism of “bias” from both political parties. When I saw that I smiled, telling myself that my job here at the paper is done.
In closing, I encourage all of you to get involved, either volunteering at the paper (you do not need to be a good writer), submitting material for consideration and, at a minimum, being civil and open to views that may be different than your own.
Thank you all.