Nov 3, 2003 4 min read

Sometimes we fail to recognize that change is constant and never ending. Everything changes, sooner or later, even when we deny the inevitable. One of those moments has arrived. As you may have already heard, my early retirement from this newspaper is only days away.

After 16 years as editor of the Herald-Standard, I am moving to another career challenge. In fact, this latest change will wrap up a 40-year career in the world of newspaper journalism.

During those 40 years, I worked as a reporter, photographer, copy editor, and editor at six different newspapers in five states, beginning at my hometown newspaper, the Joplin Globe, in Joplin, Mo., in 1963.

A business leader once said, “If you have the choice of working for yourself or working for someone else, be your own boss in your own business.” That’s what I have decided to do. I am the president of a new company, West TV.

Rupert Murdoch won’t be threatened by West TV. It’s a very small cable TV operation based in Latrobe. The channel will launch its first broadcast tonight at 6 p.m. on the Adelphia cable system.

There’s no doubt that this change is creating mixed emotions. You don’t work with people for 16 years without developing strong relationships among co-workers and folks in the community.

No one is so na?ve as to believe that my departure as editor will be unanimously regretted. There are those who will be glad to see me go. There will be those who are sad. And there will be those who don’t particularly care, one way or the other. Such is life. It’s not realistic to think everyone agreed with everything I did or the opinions I expressed over the years.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of fine, concerned, thoughtful, community-minded people in this area. At one time or another during the past 16 years, I think I met most of them. Their support was most gratifying and helpful. There are, of course, others who were focused only on their own self-interests. In the end, each of us will make that final judgment for ourselves. No one else can do it for us. In my experience, the number of quality, concerned people vastly outnumber those others.

So, allow me to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your thoughtfulness, your many kindnesses and the numerous times you offered encouragement and assistance over the years. It is greatly appreciated.

And, to all of the employees at the Herald-Standard, a simple thank you cannot express the depths of my appreciation to all of you, but it is all I have to sincerely offer. It’s been a great experience working with everyone.

For now, I am neck-deep into what I consider to be an exciting business venture. It’s a business enterprise that we believe has tremendous potential for success. It requires all of my time and attention now and for the many months ahead. There are many business leaders and owners in the Latrobe area who have been tremendously supportive in our efforts to establish a company there. We are looking forward to working with the community and civic leaders, just as we did for several years here.

To all of you who have faithfully followed these commentaries and discussions over the past 16 years, I will miss the lively debates and the times we shared. There was seldom a dull moment. And, that’s the way it should have been. Stay in touch. Latrobe isn’t that far away.

Mike Ellis is the retiring editor of the Herald-Standard. His e-mail address is: mellis@heraldstandard

. He also can be reached at: begin mcellissr@hotmail.com mcellissr@hotmail.com end

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