Letter from the editor
The Eagle's new editor
Before I jump into any introduction, let me make a confession: We need you.
The Bigfork Eagle has carved out a reputation as a quality community newspaper, and that is a trend that we are going to continue and improve upon. But for us to serve the community, we need you.
You see, there are a couple thousand of you and only three of us. Our community is lively and fascinating, and the wealth of knowledge and life-experience that surrounds us is truly remarkable.
Let us know what's happening in our area. Let us know about that friend, neighbor or relative who has an interesting story. Let us know about your students who are accomplishing big things. Let us know about the obscure, the historical or the forgotten. Let us know about that great photo opportunity.
And here's the second confession: You need us.
One of the great traditions of newspapers around the world has been their role as a community forum. Open up the Eagle to Page 2, and you will see that forum. That space is for you to use. I'll even give you Page 3!
In an unincorporated town like Bigfork, getting a group of residents together to discuss issues can be difficult. The Eagle is here to be a meeting place for ideas and opinions that your peers take into their homes. No one should ever say they don't have a voice.
If you would like to contact us about anything, feel free to call me at 837-5131, or e-mail me at editor@bigforkeagle.com. And if something important is happening after hours, my cell phone number is 270-6770. (Please don't call that number to tell me I forgot to use a comma in the fourth sentence on Page 6.)
This is the third newspaper I've worked at, and if my name looks familiar it's because I spent the last 10 months working at the Daily Inter Lake.
My philosophy for the paper is simple to grasp (difficult to do), and it will guide every article any of us produce: It will be excellent. It will be relevant. It will be fair. I have no interest in delivering an average product to your door.
As for me, I grew up in Creston, and - except for my college years and a couple of trips - I've spent my whole life in the Flathead Valley. I graduated from Flathead High School and started my college studies at Montana State University. After two years at MSU, I transferred to Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Ore., where I focused on biblical studies and journalism. I graduated in May 2005, and my wife and I came back to the place we call home - the Flathead Valley.
Bigfork is a place I've oft visited but never intently explored. If you see me out and about - I'll probably have a large camera or two in hand - feel free to say hi or tell me your ideas.
One of the great rewards of journalism is the ability to live a thousand lives. Every time I sit down with someone and record their story, I have the chance to learn about and experience something new. I'm very excited about taking the helm of the Eagle and sharing your stories with the community.