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What they said about your OE

Kansans who nominated Marion County newspaper publisher Bill Meyer for the Cervi Award, presented at the annual convention of International Society of Weekly Newspaper editors, included the following in their nominations:

Jeff Burkhead, executive director of Kansas Press Association: "Bill Meyer IS Kansas journalism . . . Bill truly is one of the deans of Kansas journalism . . . He epitomizes what a weekly newspaper publisher and editor should be . . . Even at age 76 (77 next month) he remains as fiery as progressive and as devoted as when he started out in the business 54 years ago."

Burkhead went on to say, "Some may call Bill stubborn, but one thing is certain, you know where he stands. He won't back down from a fight and he is unwavering in his convictions . . . even his critics respect him, which is perhaps the ultimate compliment. He is a newspaper giant."

Tom Eblen, retired professor of journalism at the University of Kansas: "Bill Meyer is the grand old man of Kansas journalism. Bill would say that 76 really isn't old, and for him it isn't. At age 75 he expanded his holdings from Marion to Hillsboro and Peabody. Not bad for a guy who weathered the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

"I have known Bill as the exemplar of all that is good in the glorious business of community journalism."

Prof. Eblen recounted many instances of the past, and told how he would bring students from Central America, Europe, and Asia on field trips to the Marion County Record office to hear Meyer speak on community journalism.

He said that in spite of bullet holes in his office windows and other acts of violence against him, "Meyer will just keep calling things the way he sees them."

Donna Bernhardt, general manager of Hoch Publishing Co., Inc.: "Bill Meyer is loyal to 'fire in the belly' journalism. He is well known and respected in the Kansas journalism community."

She listed many lifetime activities, awards, and achievements. She said, "It is impossible to drive through Marion without seeing a landmark or facility that does not have Bill Meyer's thumbprint.

"He has never avoided controversy when he deemed a project worthy of consideration . . . Not only has Meyer weathered the storm of controversy on various issues, he has been the victim of violence and vandalism because of his convictions.

"An innovative leader among journalists, Meyer's tireless loyalty to the craft and 'fire in the belly' journalism is the key to his success and the growth of Marion and Marion County."

Meyer was given a standing ovation by the assembled journalists when the award winner was announced. Following his acceptance speech he received another standing ovation. "That's pretty heady for a kid from Kansas," the Marion County publisher commented.

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