Beginning the new year is especially exciting for me. Not only coming back to the Puget Sound area after a two-year hiatus, but starting off 2013 as editor of the Port Orchard Independent.
I resigned my reporter’s position at the Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle on Dec. 7, found an apartment here on Dec. 15 and moved here Dec. 22, leaving behind more than a foot of snow on the ground in Tonasket.
Don’t get me wrong, Okanogan County is a great place for outdoorsmen and living there was an experience. But this Louisiana native (not a Cajun) prefers the urban lifestyle.
This is not my first go-round as an editor. I have been an editor for two weekly publications in Texas and one in Washington, most recently at The Gazette in Orting.
But this is my second time with Sound Publishing. In 2009, I was a reporter for the Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald for a year, before accepting a position on the Oregon Coast in March 2010. Two years on the coast was plenty. Too much wind and rain, and flooding for me, so I came back to Washington.
I love community journalism and feel it’s important for a newspaper to provide coverage of local government, local activities and local sports, especially high school sports.
In the next few weeks, I look forward to meeting city, school, utility and law enforcement officials, along with civic leaders in the community.
My goal as editor is to provide fair and balance coverage of the news, with our print and internet editions.
Our sports and school coverage is in great hands with Chris Chancellor, who has covered South Kitsap school for several years.
I am also looking for a local columnist who would like to contribute to the newspaper.
In the upcoming weeks, as I get settled into the position, I would appreciate hearing feedback or story ideas from our readers. My email address is doliveaux@portorchardindependent.com or call me at 360-876-4414, ext. 5050.
We also welcome photos from activities within the community.
Our office, opened 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, is located at 2497 Bethel Rd., Suite 102.
