North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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March 15, 2010

Brighter days on the horizon for North Jefferson News

By Adam Smith The North Jefferson News

COMMENTARY — Friday will be my last day at The North Jefferson News.

Yes, I know; I’m shocked by it myself. However, I’ve found new employment with a newspaper in Georgia. The grass may not be greener, but it’s different grass. It will also allow me to be closer to my fiancee Lensey, who will become my better half next month.

I’d like to hope that I’m leaving this newspaper better than I found it. I don’t mean that as a slight or a knock to the 123 editors who came before me. It’s just merely a hope I have.

I started at The North Jefferson News on May 1, 2006. Since then, I’ve helped usher the newspaper into the digital age with our own Web site and digital networking sites. I moved us into a more modern facility, across the parking lot from our old facility. And hopefully, I’ve done my part to keep north Jefferson County residents informed about important issues.

It has not been an easy almost four years, but I guess work is not supposed to be easy. However, there are a lot of people I should thank for believing in me and helping me during my stay here.

I’d like to thank the mayors, city councils, department heads and employees of Fultondale, Gardendale, Hayden, Kimberly, Morris, Trafford and Warrior for being (mostly) cooperative. I hope the relationship continues.

I would be remiss without thanking my staff. Becky Johnson, Danielle Pelkey, Melanie Patterson and Robert Carter do a wonderful job day in and day out. They have become my second family, mostly because I see them more than my actual family.

Melanie Patterson will become the new general manager and editor on Monday, so I expect everyone to treat her with the same respect and kindness as I was shown. She’ll do a great job and will probably do a better job than I ever did.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my long-suffering family members who have had to endure what I write about them on occasion. They’ve been great sports about it, however. I couldn’t have lasted thing long without the support of my family and Lensey.

I’m not a big fan of goodbyes, so I guess I’ll just say, “See you ‘round.” I’ll be back to visit on occasion and reminisce about the good ol’ days.

Thanks again for taking me into your home and making me and The North Jefferson News part of your lives. I truly believe the best is yet to come.

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