Where do we go from here?
The Malarkey column is just that, a personal column and not an editorial. Editorials speak to a subject, present an opinion and call for logical action. Columns wander.
Your Ol' Editor is avoiding subjects like gun control, abortion, and topics like the city budget cuts at Hillsboro. It's too hot to get embroiled in controversy, though the OE noted with great interest that our county is short of funds yet willing to spend money not available for a service that could have been provided free. In fact the service would have paid money to the county, closed the old eyesore landfill near Aulne and monitored it for 30 years. But the political leaders and NMBY party of Marion County took another course. We won't talk about that subject either.
With Matt Newhouse's announcement of leaving the crew to embark on the ship of matrimony, the OE is reminded of many fine young journalists who've come this way.
Matt, of course, is well known to readers. He has served well these past 15 years and all those in Marion County who know Matt wish him well. He's a "nice guy" if you ever saw one. And it's been a pleasure to know and work with him these many years.
Who will come to replace Matt is unknown. We're looking. And we have many applicants for the job. We're looking for that "right person" and hope for the best.
The first journalist your OE worked with back in 1948 was a guy named Lester Rosen from Wichita State University who later became public relations director of that university and later in charge of Congressman Garner Shriver's office in Washington, D.C., then worked for another congressman (a guy named Dan Quayle, remember him?) who became a U.S. Senator. Les Rosen was there, and he had been here.
Another in the long line of "summer interns" and short-timers on the staff included Kelly Humphries who at last contact was in charge of press relations for NASA, Pat Fox who has a responsible position with the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, successful California attorney Betty Haeglin and Kansas attorney Laurie Shanyfelt, successful journalists Don Westerhaus, Brenden Sager, Mike Shields, Joel Mathis, Mike Heckman, Scott Lowder, Jill White, Andy Rohrback, Christine Laue, and Hillsboro insurance agent Jayson Hanschu who was an excellent reporter.
They are merely some of them who tried their wings at the Ol' Thing. Most of them "made it" in the big wide wonderful world. Some didn't. They aren't being listed.
One of the latter was a young man from Illinois, Peter Hinueber, who seemed well qualified and was highly recommended. He got as far as Emporia and changed his mind. Instead of turning to Marion on the K-150 junction, he gave us a phone call and proceeded on toward Dallas. I've often wondered what happened to Peter?
We know where we've been but, like Peter, wonder where we're going.
— BILL MEYER
