Dear Readers:
It’s good to be back in Talbot County and thanks for the warm welcome. Even on a sweltering 4th of July week I was met with much enthusiasm and encouragement, and more importantly, made new friends who are helping me define my sense of the Easton community. Among those were Brenda Stango at Frugalicious, Keith Davidson and Mary at Trumpeter Swan Antiques, Alexa Zullo at the Tidewater Inn, David Geller at We Cycle Ads, Kate Gallagher at Candle Light Cove and many more.
The Talbot Spy has a good foundation with lots of room to grow. Over the course of this next week I will be asking the fundamental question—what is our mission?
Most of all, I think, it is to amplify the already strong rapport we have with Talbot County. Comments made on our Facebook page and Spy site articles prove to me a thirst for communication whether it’s applause for the St. Michael’s Fresh Farm Market or criticism over recent county legislation.
The strength of an online presence lies not only in its editorial quality but also in its immediacy and it is this “real time” aspect we want to cultivate. The “kiosk” model—coming events, etc.— is the natural default state of online publications and that’s fine and I think the Talbot Spy does an amazing job at keeping up with it. But it happens not only because of our research and reporting but because you tip us off. It’s this currency with the readership that attracts me to the Spy. After all, its about community…and guess what? Writers walk among you! We’ll always encourage your ideas to make the Talbot Spy your daily portal to issues, events, hard news, the Arts, Business, Environment—the things on our minds, the aspects that make up a community’s diverse identity. So bring it on!
As national elections approach I will also state that I have no interest in promoting a political agenda by either screening my editorial choices or cherry-picking topics. As far as I’m concerned, if the topic has relevance to the health of Talbot County, the Eastern Shore proper or a shared relevance with the nation, political party affiliation becomes irrelevant. If I disagree with something, I will tell you why and be open-minded about your perspective. If I receive a letter citing statistics or without citations or sources I will check them myself—it’s my nature—otherwise we become little more than gossips. Strong, thoughtful opinion is always welcome, but prepare for footnotes.
Kathy Bosin, Dave Wheelan, Andy Goddard, Jean Sanders, Simon Kelly and Dan Menefee and previous editor Dick Cooper have all contributed to founding a strong presence for the Spy and have set a high standard for our editorial. I’m grateful for their vision.
Talbot County is an amazing place. Its strengths shine daily through the many issues confronting all of us individually and as a community. The Talbot Spy hopes to become an integral part of it and I look forward to meeting you all during the coming months. And, last but not least, let’s have fun!
Onward,
James Dissette
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Amy Steward says
So nice to have you back in Talbot County!!!