Publisher Dan Goetz is out of town attending a special event and the rest of our editorial board is either busy preparing budget materials for next year or on vacation.
I could have just plugged in a “guest editorial” in this space. But then I thought about the readership surveys that have been flowing in — a little more than half of them have been returned so far — and the early results in some areas have certainly been eye-opening for us.
For instance, the favorite non-news features in the newspaper are this column, Curt Swarm’s “Empty Nest” column and the crossword puzzle. On the flip side, several “traditional” elements of the daily newspaper have been panned by our surveyors.
They include: the horoscopes, “Dear Abby,” and several of our comics. We’re already looking at some replacements.
But, if you have a differing opinion and would like to share it, send us a note. You may reach us at newsroom@newtondailynews.com or call (641) 792-3121, ext. 423, to tell us what you think.
Newsroom Update
As I mentioned Monday, new Daily News staff reporter Nicole Wiegand began her duties this week. She replaces Mike Mendenhall, who received a terrific opportunity from Hy-Vee to advance himself personally.
I’m pleased to announce we’ll have another new addition to our newsroom very soon. Alecia Brooks, a recent master’s student in journalism at the University of Iowa, will join us in about two weeks’ time.
She will work alongside John Jennings during his final days with us here at the Daily News prior to his Nov. 1 retirement.
If you’re reading this, thank a teacher. If you’re reading it in English, thank a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.
In honor of Pork Month, here’s another: “Bacon — it’s meat candy.”
Bob Eschliman is editor of the Daily News. Common Sense usually appears each Monday and Wednesday.