When a change takes place it means, in its simplest form, that something is different than before. A change can be positive, negative or neutral. Some changes are small and some are seismic. Some people fear the uncertainty that comes with change. Others welcome the opportunities that arrive when their environment shifts.
The Alexandria Times this week announces changes that are small in the grand scheme of things but large to us. With this edition of the paper, we bid farewell to our former publisher, Matt Danielson and associate publisher, Jeanne Theismann, as they move on to new endeavors. We thank them for the hard work they put into the paper and for the many strides that the Times made under their stewardship. We wish them well.
Concurrently, we are pleased to introduce our new publisher, Patrice Culligan. She has an extensive background in publishing and advertising, including five very successful years as publisher of Physicians Weekly. She brings a vibrant, creative energy to the Times as we usher in a new era for the newspaper.
In the near term the Times will continue to look much the same as it always has. Youll find the same award-winning news and sports coverage and photography from our editor-in-chief David Sachs and reporter and contributing editor Austin Danforth. Youll find our opinion pages where we, along with local columnists and readers, will continue to take stands on a variety of Alexandria-specific issues. Youll continue to see the work of our cartoonist, Steve Artley, whose work was recently judged to be the best in all of Virginia. And youll find helpful advertisements from Alexandria restaurants, realtors, merchants and service providers.
But in the coming weeks and months you may also notice alterations. We are a community newspaper. At their best, community newspapers are a reflection of the areas they serve. Alexandria is a big city that falls short of being a stereotypical metropolis. Its a part of the greater Washington area, yet sections of our city have a small-town feel. We believe that our coverage of news, entertainment and enterprise stories in Alexandria is without peer, and that we do many other things well. But wed like to become even more of a reflection of what you, the denizens of this fair city, want to see.
What is it that youd like to see more or less of in the Times? What can we do differently to best capture the essence of your Alexandria? Do you want to see more about pets and kids? More about controversial political issues? More about recreational sports, or about accomplished residents in our midst? Do you want us to report more on police stories? Or are restaurants and concerts your main interests? In short, what changes can we make that would make you, our readers, even more eager to receive or pick up your papers every week?
You can let us know your thoughts by sending a letter to the editor at letters@alextimes.com, by sending us a mailed letter at 110 S. Pitt St. or by calling us at 703-739-0001. Any of us listed on the masthead would love to hear from you. Wed like your opinion. After all, it is your newspaper.
