Let me introduce myself. My name is Joan Livingston and as of this week, I’m the new editor of the Greenfield Recorder.
George Forcier is retiring after 39 years at the Recorder, including the last four as its editor. George has had a remarkable career working so closely on Franklin County’s news coverage.
And for the next few weeks, I will be working closely with George to make this as smooth a transition as possible.
Prior to taking this job, I worked in the news business for over 30 years. I began as a correspondent reporting on Worthington, the hilltown where my family lived, for the Daily Hampshire Gazette. With a population then of 1,400, Worthington had one store, one church, one school, one stoplight and one bar but a surprising amount of news.
My first lesson on that job was that I had to get a story right because I’d most likely see the person I wrote about the next day at the general store.
I eventually worked fulltime for the Gazette as the hilltown reporter and columnist, then as an editor. As a reporter, I ventured into Franklin County to cover the closing of Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Station and the war tax resisters in Colrain.
In 2006, my husband, Hank, and I moved to New Mexico, where I worked at The Taos News, including eight years as its top editor. It was an interesting experience covering the news in a multi-cultural area that is so politically charged.
About 18 months ago, Hank and I returned to western Massachusetts, where we live on the Buckland side of Shelburne Falls, to be closer to family. Four of our six kids, plus two granddaughters live in Massachusetts.
I was pleased to find a local paper so strongly committed to community news. I read the Recorder regularly to know what was happening in Franklin County.
Now, I will be leading that coverage.
I will admit it’s a great opportunity and a huge responsibility.
What else can I tell you about myself? I’ve taught creative writing to children and helped adults get their GED. I’ve edited history books for a university and have written several novels. I love stories — hearing, reading and telling them.
Over the next few weeks, I will concentrate on getting to know the Recorder’s hard-working staff and learn everything that’s needed to publish a quality newspaper six times a week.
My plan is to find opportunities soon to meet people in the community — the newsmakers and news readers.
Since I began in this business, the way news is delivered to readers has changed. The same goes for the tools that journalists use. And sadly, many newspapers were unable to survive.
What hasn’t changed in my mind is that reporting should be accurate, objective and fair. We don’t have agendas. We listen to all sides. We try hard not to make mistakes but if we do, we own up to them.
I believe that a newspaper should give people the information they need to make informed decisions about their community — and sometimes be entertained. I am glad to be a part of that.
So, what changes can you expect with a new person at the top? I have ideas, but certainly nothing drastic while I learn the ropes. I also want input from our staff.
Readers, what about you? Have any ideas you would like to share? Here is my email address: jlivingston@recorder.com. I certainly welcome your comments or you can tell me when we meet in person.