Two articles in your latest edition should not be passed over lightly: 1. Congratulations to View Editor Dalton Sweat and other staffers for winning several statewide journalism awards including first place in General Excellence from the Texas Press Association. That is an amazing accomplishment and we are so proud of our weekly newspaper in Wimberley.
I know the work can be arduous and thankless, though sometimes fulfilling, having pulled a few stints in journalism myself back in the day, including View Editor. I think you’ve done it longer than anyone now, Dalton, and your coverage of our fair town keeps getting better and better. Take a bow.
2. Re: Your opinion piece about the Uvalde Leader-News, which you wrote after hearing Editor Craig Garnett discuss his paper’s struggles in the days and weeks following the shooting at Robb Elementary School in his town. Thank you for writing the article and thank you for writing it so poignantly.
“It is a strange feeling being in local news when the national reporters show up,” Dalton reports, “but as the impact of the tragedy wanes in the nation’s eyes there are still stories to tell. There is still a community left behind to grieve, rebuild and rebound.”
Community journalists do indeed stay behind to boldly cover the news without fear or favor, which can be a tightrope walk in small towns. Dalton concludes: “We care. We’ve been here for decades, and just like Garnett, we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
Again, congratulations on your own good work this year that was rightfully recognized by the TPA. I only have one complaint: “First Flush,” your huge headline on Page One when the downtown sewer pipes finally started flowing after years of Sturm und Drang, was the best headline I’ve ever read. And it got second place statewide! Can’t imagine what beat it out.
Lynne Flocke, PhD Journalism Professor Emerita Syracuse (NY) University Wimberley Resident
