| Our View - New year brings changes, new faces |
 January 06, 2011 By Dawn Bowen editor@geringcitizen.com |
 |
Mary Jo “Nina” Betz and Lisa Betz are entering their second year as owners of the Gering Citizen. Many of you know Nina is a lifelong resident of Gering and Lisa is a native of Gering. The Betzes purchased the newspaper in December 2009 and have invested a great deal in its success as a voice for Gering and surrounding communities.
Last month, Lisa was promoted to the position of publisher of the Gering Citizen. While she has taken on this important role, she will also continue to be active in advertising and sales. Lisa’s first job in journalism was as the marketing and sales director for The Georgetowner newspaper in Washington, D.C., which at that time was a bi-weekly celebrating its 45th year of publication.
At The Georgetowner, Lisa wore many of the same hats she does now, like ad sales, ad design, copy reading, columnist and community relations development. Lisa also worked as a salesperson at The Spectator, a weekly Arts & Entertainment newspaper which was based in Raleigh, N.C. Newspapers are in her blood and that is why she feels so strongly about Gering’s need for an independent voice and advocate.
Dawn Bowen, a former staff writer whose byline you have seen often in the paper since our first issue, has been promoted to the position of managing editor. Dawn has an extensive background in journalism that includes nearly a decade of crime reporting in the Southwest, writing two well-read community columns for several years and working as the managing editor of a successful daily newspaper in southeastern New Mexico - the Artesia Daily Press.
Jerry Purvis faithfully remains on the staff as news editor, continuing to cover local news, write his popular Anno Domini column and compile the Remembering When segment, along with a myriad of other writings for the Citizen. Jerry is well known in the Panhandle where he was raised, having worked in both print news and radio for many years.
Jamie Carpenter, who has most recently worked in ad sales and design, has accepted the position of circulation manager. Jamie has outstanding organizational skills and has completely revamped the process of distributing the Citizen each week to our many subscribers, racks and outlets that sell our papers.
Speaking of our sales outlets, you will see Dick Littell delivering our papers to local businesses and rack sites. Dick will be looking for more great places to distribute the Gering Citizen. If you’d like to have the paper in your business, give us a call.
Kevin Obasi joined the Citizen staff several months ago as an advertising salesman. Kevin has brought tremendous enthusiasm to the Citizen and has a commitment to making sure local and regional businesses are well recognized and represented in the local newspaper.
Esther Benson continues to handle all things bookkeeping at the Gering Citizen. Esther is a capable and experienced bookkeeper who handles both accounts payable and accounts receivable, along with all the remaining bookkeeping duties. Esther is well known in the community and continues to be a great source of information for the whole staff. As Jerry always says, “Esther knows where the bodies are buried.”
Liz Berge and Andi Hale are the newest additions to the Gering Citizen staff. Both Liz and Andi are working as graphic designers. Each one is an artist with their own unique ability to creatively design eye-catching advertisements that promote local businesses and events. We feel very lucky to have them join our creative team.
While changes have occurred at your newspaper, one thing remains the same – the staff of the Gering Citizen stands committed to excellent coverage of local news.
We are determined to remain as a vigilant watchdog, reporting the decisions made and actions taken by local city leaders, elected officials and school district personnel that have a direct impact on you, our readers.
We believe you – who are the taxpayers, voters, parents, children, business owners, organization members and residents of this community – have a right to know about the decisions made on your behalf, good and bad.
At the same time, we are very interested in reporting the good news in the community and enriching activities like art, culture, music and entertainment on our pages.
When something special happens in your family or circle of friends, we want to hear about it and join you in celebrating.
There is no charge for birth, wedding, significant birthday and anniversary announcements or obituaries.
We always appreciate news tips relating to any local and regional news that our readers deserve to know.
It’s a new year and the Gering Citizen is ready to forge ahead into the future as your source for local news coverage. We are honored to serve Gering and the greater Panhandle.
Thank you for reading.
Share this story on Facebook
