Losing the skills and dedication of Carole McWilliams is a sad testament to the downward spiral of print journalism, and that act seems shortsighted on the part of Ballantine Communications and Douglas Bennett, CEO. After three decades of serving our small communities Carole's retirement should have been her decision to make, her own choice at her preferred time, instead of being made redundant by the sweeping hand of management.
I seldom agreed with Carole's editorials and would talk loudly back to the newspaper when she wrote something I disagreed with. I also praised her writings on current local activities and her concern for the welfare and continued caretaking of our beautiful countryside.
She wrote about and photographed so much that is lovely in our corner of Colorful Colorado.
Carole will be impossible to replace. Who else will attend all those interminable school board, town hall, planning commission meetings? And give us fair and informed information about them? The entire structure of small town news will show a crumbling from within as this venerable and dedicated journalist leaves the profession.
Thank you, Carole, for never taking a real job. The Pine River Times will not be the same without you. You will be missed.
Betty Brister
Bandera, Texas
