Editor’s note: One year, one theme

One year ago, I became the editor-in-chief of this newspaper. It feels like forever, and it feels like I just started.

As I sat at my desk thinking about what to write to mark the occasion, I read through my dozen previous Editor’s Notes, and there was an unmistakable thread sewn through most of the columns.

From the first regular Editor’s Note:

So, even though I might think your ideas or actions are wrong, I see you (or imagine you), and I’m going to try and be kind, to listen when I can, and if there’s a dog involved, I’ll ask if I can pet it.

From the last one:

Just know that the groups, sides, teams, whatever you want to call them, are likely set and not going away anytime soon. No matter how strongly we disagree with folks from the other side, if we want to solve problems and improve together, we have no choice but to work together. There’s a difference between saying, “Your ideas are terrible,” and saying “You are terrible.”

Same as it ever was? Kind of. The main theme of my vision for the paper when taking over was to try to play a part in healing a divided community. As you might read between the lines, my understanding has evolved a bit. I no longer see bridge-building as possible with every separation, and in those intractable situations the only hope is to tamp down the ad hominem dust-ups, then try and refocus on the problem while realizing imperfect compromise is often the only solution.

As for the CN&R itself, I am very proud of what our small editorial/design staff has continued to create and I am blown away by the Herculean efforts of our salespeople over the past year. I am also grateful that our advertisers and readers have continued to support this paper and its mission. It has been disappointing that this alt-weekly print newspaper has had to remain an alt-monthly. There’s a lot the CN&R can and should do in shining a light on our community and speaking truth to power, and in my first year as editor, putting out 12 print editions instead of 52, I feel like I’ve been able to meet maybe one quarter of those responsibilities.

I remain hopeful that this kick-ass CN&R team can continue to build on what we’ve done, and I look forward to the opportunity for us to show even more of what we’re capable of.

You can contribute to the paper’s current efforts at tinyurl.com/cnrdonation, and support CN&R projects at tinyurl.com/cnrarts.

Thank you for reading!

Jason Cassidy is editor of the Chico News & Review