Our Viewpoint: Another Ledgerversary

June 1 marks seven years since I bought The Ledger. On June 1, 2017, I walked in The Ledger and then owners Tom and Bina Eggensperger announced to the staff - many who I had worked with when I was in high school - that I had bought the business. It was the scariest and most exciting day of my life.

I've worked at newspapers in some capacity since I was 15. Even when my career path ventured into other industries, I worked as a freelance journalist. Owning a business and being responsible for information that goes out to a whole county, as well as caring for the staff members, is a whole other ballgame. I always had the dream of owning a newspaper, but actually realizing that dream has been the hardest thing I've ever done.

Journalism has changed even in the 30-ish years I have made it my passion. Of course the technology is different and newsrooms no longer have darkrooms. Many reporters work from home. Many people only get their "news" from social media. I joke that I'm often the last person to know things, but sometimes it is true. I don't spend much time on social media. But I do spend a lot of time at city council meetings, public hearings at the courthouse, making phone calls to find out more information, and doing the research to inform our readers.

A good friend often tells me that I don't realize the weight my voice carries. Sometimes it frazzles me when he says that, but he's right. I always say that I am responsible for every word in this publication, whether it is written by me or someone else. I take that responsibility very seriously. Some articles are hard to write because they may involve negative facts about people close to me. When someone calls to ask us to not put their ticket or incident in the sheriff's log or justice court report, my answer is always the same - I treat everyone the same and would put my mom in there if she made a bad choice (To clarify, Barb has never been in the justice court column.)

Every day I weigh decisions on coverage, sources and even design. I worry that we are highlighting more news from one town or another as I strive to provide complete coverage for the entire county. As a journalist, I hold myself to high ethical standards and I hope that shows in our reporting.

I've only owned The Ledger for seven years, so I'm still new in this journey. I'll hope you will be with me for many more Ledgerversaries. Thanks to my great staff for the fantastic work they do each week, and thanks to the readers who continue with me on this journey.

— Annie Wooden