Fernandina Observer celebrates its seventh year

By Susan Hardee Steger
Editor
May 19, 2019 7:24 p.m.

A tribute

Douglas M. Newton

As the Fernandina Observer celebrates its seventh anniversary we wish to pay tribute to Doug Newton, who along with his wife Cindy, has moved to  Greer, South Carolina.  Because of Doug’s relocation, he is stepping down as co-editor, a position he held for 6 ½ years.

In November of 2011, Doug Newton and I were guests at an election night party. The conversation that ensued among a few of those in attendance began the formation of the Fernandina Observer. Doug was part of the conversation centered on our community’s need for an alternative source of information. It was Doug who encouraged me to meet with him to explore ways to bring a different kind of news (click here) to what was then a one newspaper town.

Without Doug’s encouragement and support, we would not be celebrating our seventh anniversary. Over the years Doug did our tax returns, shared in funding the startup of the operation, and assumed a portion of the liability inherent in the news business. He has been a wonderful, supportive business partner, and I appreciate all he has done for the Fernandina Observer and our community.

Doug, we thank you and wish you and Cindy well.

Going back in time

Adam Kaufman, our legal analyst, suggested we celebrate our seventh anniversary by looking back at one of our first news articles:  “City Commission Moving Forward,” was written by Suanne Z. Thamm and posted on May 16, 2012.  (Read and enjoy by clicking here.)

Topics of discussion for the meeting included the Main Beach boardwalk, Centre Street lighting, Front Street, the waterfront park, and the Alachua Street crossing. If you are throwing up your hands because discussions are still continuing on Front Street, and the waterfront, Vice-Mayor Jeffrey Bunch said in 2012, “ . . . it will probably take 10-15 years to complete.” We still have time!

Within two weeks of our first news story, we were covering tropical storm Beryl in real time. Beryl put us on the map. It was then we realized the Fernandina Observer could be successful.  There was a craving for “news while it’s still news.”   (Click here)

In appreciation

Pictured L to R: Suanne Thamm, reporter-news analyst; Cindy Jackson, reporter; Evelyn Mcdonald, arts & culture reporter; Anne Oman, reporter-at-large; Karen Thompson, features reporter; and Adam Kaufman, legal analyst.

During this past year we lost a staff member, but gained another.  Gerry Clare, our roving reporter who along with her husband Tom, has relocated to a senior living center near Jacksonville. Gerry now writes for the center.  We gained Cindy Jackson who is helping us expand our reach into the Nassau County.  Thank you Gerry and thank you Cindy for joining us.

Our volunteer reporters Suanne Thamm, Cindy Jackson, Adam Kaufman, Evelyn McDonald, Anne Oman, and Karen Thompson do a fabulous job for us and deserve our heartfelt thanks.  Suanne Thamm deserves special recognition because of her seven year steadfast commitment to the Fernandina Observer and our community.  Thank you all.  We appreciate the time you have donated to our news blog and we couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you to our advertisers who have allowed us to continue our efforts to bring news to our community.  Many of you have been with us from the beginning and we are very grateful for your support.  We encourage our readers to support the services they offer.

From the beginning, we realized the importance of being a responsible provider of news and information to our community.  We will continue our initial goal to deliver news and opinion in a thoughtful, accurate, and well researched manner.

Thank you readers for joining us and for your continued support.  “We are committed, and we will be different!”

 

9 Comments
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bill birdsong
bill birdsong(@wmbirdsongyahoo-com)
4 years ago

Thank you all for providing such a wonderful source of news about our community. The detailed reporting of events is exceptional.

wilma allen
wilma allen(@wilmaa65gmail-com)
4 years ago

Congratulations for a needed job very well done.

Margo Story
Margo Story (@guest_55032)
4 years ago

Congratulations and thank you all for a job well done!!

Frank Aquino
Frank Aquino (@guest_55033)
4 years ago

I would never argue with Wilma.

Lynda Bell
Lynda Bell(@lyndabell)
4 years ago

Thank you for providing such great reporting on happenings and news in our community! What a fabulous team you have.

Dave Scott
Dave Scott (@guest_55037)
4 years ago

Count me as a supporter Susan. You and your volunteer staff do an excellent job of providing factual, unbiased, thorough reporting. Suanne and Adam do a great job of adding perspective and rational opinion.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
4 years ago

Seven years, hard to believe some days I am sure. Congratulations on the anniversary and serving as a valuable source of quality news for the local community. Best wishes to Doug and Cindy on their relocation. To Susan, Suanne, Adam and all the other contributors, keep up the great work!

Marianna Cline McIntyre
Marianna Cline McIntyre (@guest_55040)
4 years ago

Thank you for 7 years of reporting. I enjoy reading your online publication and getting an earlier look at local news and events. It certainly appears to be a labor of love with accurate reporting.

Mrs. D. Hunter
Mrs. D. Hunter (@guest_55043)
4 years ago

Happy 7th Anniversary, Fernandina Observer! Thank you for your stellar performance, every single day. Here’s to many, many more anniversaries!