To say that I’ve enjoyed my time here at the News-Leader would be an incredible understatement. Having this position in such a great community has allowed me to meet so many new, interesting and wonderful people. And, while the newspaper office on Dettloff Drive will be closing this week, I assure you, this is not goodbye. Those who have seen my byline in the News-Leader will continue to see it, as I have accepted a position with the Trempealeau County Times as a reporter and staff writer.
In addition to my basic writing and reporting duties, I have also claimed real estate on the opinion pages of the new paper. Ergo, if you choose to do so, you can continue to follow my topical rants and hear my viewpoints on local, state or national issues, as “According to Jennie” will appear in the new publication. I will continue to cover the Arcadia City Council, Arcadia School Board and other items of interest in the community. I would love to tell you that Arcadia will be receiving the same amount of coverage as it is now, but that would be misleading.
Regardless, every week when we have our Trempealeau County Times staff meetings, I will be going to bat for the community to make sure that the most important issues are included in that paper. But, I will not be able to do it without you, the readers. While I don’t yet have any official contact information for the company, please share your story ideas with me via e-mail (jennie.oemig@gmail.com) in the meantime. And be on the lookout for additional staff contact information in the first issue of the Trempealeau County Times.
While I really had no idea what to expect when I first came to Arcadia, over the past year or so, I have learned that it is one of the most amazing communities I have ever lived in or visited. Though there are several reasons why I made the decision to stay on board as the News-Leader changed ownership, that was, by far, the biggest draw. In addition, Charles Gauger has managed to retain some familiar, and very capable, faces from the News-Leader, Galesville Republican and the Whitehall Times, thus, configuring a very knowledgable and talented staff, which I am certainly looking forward to working with at the new publication. Though there may be some rough waters as we leave the dock, I have no doubt that, once we get the first couple of issues out, there will be smooth sailing ahead.
And, last but certainly not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chuck Blaschko and the rest of the Blaschko Enterprises family for giving me the opportunity to serve as the editor at the Arcadia News-Leader for the past 14 months. Having been down on my luck for a year prior to sending in my resume – on a whim, mind you – I never anticipated this result. While I knew I was more than capable of taking on the responsibility of writing, reporting, editing and putting together a newspaper, I appreciate the fact that they afforded me the chance to prove it.
Not only will I be able to cross that achievement off my bucket list, but it will come in extremely useful as I continue moving forward in my journalistic career. Though it may not be sufficient enough to acknowledge my true feelings, I just want to say THANK YOU … from the bottom of my heart. As for the rest of you, I hope you’ve enjoyed the News-Leader over the years; we have really appreciated your readership. I’ll see you on the flip side!
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A Loss Is Not Always A Loss
By now, I’m sure everyone’s taken sides on the issue regarding the loss of high-speed rail funding. For me, I truly believe that Wisconsin needs to start regaining its economic integrity before it raises people’s tax dollars to fund projects of this nature. Thus, that money leaving the state and being reallocated to other states is not the terrible result that liberals are making it out to be. Do I think it’s sad that Wisconsin lost out on government funding for one of its transportation projects? Without a doubt. However, I highly believe that building a high-speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison, at this point in time, is unrealistic. It is absolutely ridiculous that President Barack Obama would only allocate that money to states willing to build high-speed railways. The fact that there was no leniency in the way in which those funds could be used scares me. I thought this was a democracy, not a dictatorship.
Either way, I hold Gov. Jim Doyle responsible for his poor decision making. I know many are inclined to blame governor-elect Scott Walker for not retaining those dollars here in Wisconsin, but I’m not going to be so quick to jump on the anti-Wlaker bandwagon, especially given what Gov. Doyle is leaving him to deal with. First of all, why, with all the other infrastructure issues that need immediate attention, did Gov. Doyle go after these particular funds? Truth be told, we don’t NEED a high-speed rail right now. Yes, it would be nice to have one eventually, when our state’s financial situation is well enough to sustain such a project in the long run. Honestly, I would hate to see all this money put into a rail line and, due to lack of funding for upkeep, go by the wayside a few years down the road. If I were in Walker’s shoes, I probably would have done the same thing. While I understand that the implementation of high-speed rail would create jobs, I honestly believe that cutting this kind of unneeded spending and getting the state out of the huge economic hole that has been dug should be the highest priority.
Then, and only then, will businesses start to take Wisconsin seriously and relocate their companies here. Wisconsin has had a long history of having a warm and inviting business climate. But a growing deficit has sent a great deal of businesses packing. And rightfully so. From the get-go, I think Gov. Jim Doyle should have sought grants to help fund projects to improve the deteriorating condition of our state highways.Here in Arcadia, the state assisted our community with rebuilding the intersection of State Highway 95 and County J, a project that, ideally, should have been dealt with long ago.
Though that money is no longer ours to spend, I really don’t consider it a loss on our part. Just because the money is there to spend on projects, it doesn’t mean we have to take it, especially when our economy is not, in any way, shape or form, healthy enough to afford upkeep of a high-speed rail. If anything, this is a step in the right direction for Wisconsin. And, evidently, politicians are capable of holding true to their campaign spiels. Walker said he would cut wasteful spending and that is exactly what he’s doing.
Side note: I found it suspicious that the withdrawal of funding for high-speed rail projects took place in two states (Wisconsin and Ohio) in which Republican candidates won election last month … simply because they would rather use the funds for other, more important and practical projects.
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
Either way, I hold Gov. Jim Doyle responsible for his poor decision making. I know many are inclined to blame governor-elect Scott Walker for not retaining those dollars here in Wisconsin, but I’m not going to be so quick to jump on the anti-Wlaker bandwagon, especially given what Gov. Doyle is leaving him to deal with. First of all, why, with all the other infrastructure issues that need immediate attention, did Gov. Doyle go after these particular funds? Truth be told, we don’t NEED a high-speed rail right now. Yes, it would be nice to have one eventually, when our state’s financial situation is well enough to sustain such a project in the long run. Honestly, I would hate to see all this money put into a rail line and, due to lack of funding for upkeep, go by the wayside a few years down the road. If I were in Walker’s shoes, I probably would have done the same thing. While I understand that the implementation of high-speed rail would create jobs, I honestly believe that cutting this kind of unneeded spending and getting the state out of the huge economic hole that has been dug should be the highest priority.
Then, and only then, will businesses start to take Wisconsin seriously and relocate their companies here. Wisconsin has had a long history of having a warm and inviting business climate. But a growing deficit has sent a great deal of businesses packing. And rightfully so. From the get-go, I think Gov. Jim Doyle should have sought grants to help fund projects to improve the deteriorating condition of our state highways.Here in Arcadia, the state assisted our community with rebuilding the intersection of State Highway 95 and County J, a project that, ideally, should have been dealt with long ago.
Though that money is no longer ours to spend, I really don’t consider it a loss on our part. Just because the money is there to spend on projects, it doesn’t mean we have to take it, especially when our economy is not, in any way, shape or form, healthy enough to afford upkeep of a high-speed rail. If anything, this is a step in the right direction for Wisconsin. And, evidently, politicians are capable of holding true to their campaign spiels. Walker said he would cut wasteful spending and that is exactly what he’s doing.
Side note: I found it suspicious that the withdrawal of funding for high-speed rail projects took place in two states (Wisconsin and Ohio) in which Republican candidates won election last month … simply because they would rather use the funds for other, more important and practical projects.
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Here Today, Gone In Two Weeks
Though I’ve become accustomed to reporting the news each and every week in the Arcadia News-Leader, all of a sudden, we have become news. When it was first revealed to me that the News-Leader, which has been my baby for a little over a year now, was being sold, my first reaction was fear. How would this affect me? Will I still have a job? Would I have to move for the third time in as many years? To be honest, it was a period of utter confusion and myriad emotions. The last time I left a job in journalism, I was completely lost … out in nowhere, Wyoming, where very few job opportunities presented themselves – except for those that required working in the gas fields. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a tough gal, but, when it comes to making ends meet, that was definitely not what I had in mind.
And, once I moved back here to Wisconsin, it took a while to get back on my feet, but, once I did, I found this job. Sadly, one year to the day after I started, I was told that the News-Leader would be done at the end of December. While I know how this news has affected Andrew, Annie and myself, I am hopeful that those of you who have enjoyed the News-Leader will find the new Trempealeau County Times to be a suitable substitute. Granted, there may be some content changes that readers will have to adjust to, I have a feeling that the Times’ broader coverage of the entire county will be beneficial to many, especially those who subscribe to more than one local paper.
Instead of seeing repetitive news items in both papers, there will be more news content from other local communities. That, in essence will allow people in Arcadia to be more aware of what’s happening in Blair, Whitehall and Galesville. And when it comes to advertising, I have no doubt that a county-wide newspaper will prove to be superior to a local newspaper. First of all, you have coverage area. Instead of reaching readers in Arcadia and its surrounding areas, advertisers will be able to reach a much broader audience.
Second is the monetary factor. Instead of placing several ads in several papers throughout the area, advertisers will be able to place one ad and reach basically the same amount of readers. Though the inception of the new paper is still a few weeks off, clearly, I’m sure everyone has questions that they would like to have answered, (i.e. where will the papers be sold?… how will this affect news and sports coverage of Arcadia? … how many pages will the new county-wide paper be? … where will I go to renew subscriptions or place ads?).
Some changes I do know and can share with you are that the new paper will be printed in a tabloid format, as opposed to broadsheet, the Sheriff’s Log that appears in the News-Leader will continue to be published and the office will be based out of Whitehall (the current Whitehall Times office). As we learn more, we will continue to share that information with you. Like you, we here at the News-Leader have been wondering these same types of things. So, if there are any questions that you would like answered regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to call (323-3366 ext. 240) or e-mail (editor@arcadianewsleader.com) me. I may not have an answer for you right away, but I will get one. And please be patient and bear with us during this transitional period.
Jennie Oemig,
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
And, once I moved back here to Wisconsin, it took a while to get back on my feet, but, once I did, I found this job. Sadly, one year to the day after I started, I was told that the News-Leader would be done at the end of December. While I know how this news has affected Andrew, Annie and myself, I am hopeful that those of you who have enjoyed the News-Leader will find the new Trempealeau County Times to be a suitable substitute. Granted, there may be some content changes that readers will have to adjust to, I have a feeling that the Times’ broader coverage of the entire county will be beneficial to many, especially those who subscribe to more than one local paper.
Instead of seeing repetitive news items in both papers, there will be more news content from other local communities. That, in essence will allow people in Arcadia to be more aware of what’s happening in Blair, Whitehall and Galesville. And when it comes to advertising, I have no doubt that a county-wide newspaper will prove to be superior to a local newspaper. First of all, you have coverage area. Instead of reaching readers in Arcadia and its surrounding areas, advertisers will be able to reach a much broader audience.
Second is the monetary factor. Instead of placing several ads in several papers throughout the area, advertisers will be able to place one ad and reach basically the same amount of readers. Though the inception of the new paper is still a few weeks off, clearly, I’m sure everyone has questions that they would like to have answered, (i.e. where will the papers be sold?… how will this affect news and sports coverage of Arcadia? … how many pages will the new county-wide paper be? … where will I go to renew subscriptions or place ads?).
Some changes I do know and can share with you are that the new paper will be printed in a tabloid format, as opposed to broadsheet, the Sheriff’s Log that appears in the News-Leader will continue to be published and the office will be based out of Whitehall (the current Whitehall Times office). As we learn more, we will continue to share that information with you. Like you, we here at the News-Leader have been wondering these same types of things. So, if there are any questions that you would like answered regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to call (323-3366 ext. 240) or e-mail (editor@arcadianewsleader.com) me. I may not have an answer for you right away, but I will get one. And please be patient and bear with us during this transitional period.
Jennie Oemig,
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
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