A wild gorilla escaped? It's time to reflect

A co-worker told me that on Monday night a gorilla escaped from a zoo in Boston. Whenever a wild gorilla gets loose, for some reason, it makes me stop to reevaluate my current professional situation. Hmmm ... perhaps it’s because one of my old editors used to call me Monkey Girl. It’s a long story.

Although I haven’t been able to check the veracity of the gorilla escape, I’m still in a thinking mood.

There seems to be a huge mystery that surrounds the business of community newspapering. A few weeks ago, a loooong-time Bremerton resident suggested that the Patriot hadn’t written enough about the proposed tunnel to satisfy his taste.

“You’re afraid of the city,” he told me.

I told him there are more important things happening in the city RIGHT NOW, that deserve news coverage. Then I laughed at him for suggesting I was afraid. That’s such a Wild West thing to say. I also took into account that the man had consumed (roughly) an entire pot of hot java and it was probably the coffee talking. With that much caffeine in his system, he couldn’t possibly be held accountable for his words.

On Monday afternoon, another Bremerton resident asked me what I would do if my publisher told me not to run a story because it reflected badly on an advertiser. Hmmm ... the classic question of common good vs. the almighty dollar. Like any other story, I would make sure it was fair, balanced (apologies to Fox News Network) and the facts were accurate before it ran. If it were in the public’s best interest for the information to be into the community, I would certainly run it.

Where do you folk come up with these questions?

OK, I’ve been here long enough to get a little philosophical about why I’m in this profession. So here goes.

I’m in journalism because there is so little math involved.

No, seriously. I’m in journalism because I’m nosy by nature and I love listening to people talk and sharing their stories with everyone. I love to have people challenge my beliefs and I thrive on stimulating conversation that has value.

Want to have a discussion on a controversial topic in Bremerton? I’m up for that.

Want to take me to bat for something we have or have not written? Bring it on. E-mail me. Snail-mail me. Call me.

I’m in journalism because I believe there are three sides to every story: there are the two opposing sides and a third, which is the truth, that lies somewhere in between. As a journalist, it is my job to find that third view point. That’s what I love to do.

And, finally, I have to address the one question I get asked a lot. I mean a lot. Do I ever want to move to a “big” paper, like one with a 100,000 or so circulation?

No. I really, really, don’t. I don’t want to be the hit-and-run reporter who goes into a community, talks to a handful of people, writes a story and leaves. That’s not what I’m about.

I like to immerse myself into a community; I like to get to know the people I write about. When I meet someone, I want to be able to see if there is a connection between us. I like to attend festivals, eat the food that makes a city a home and get to know the colorful cast of characters every city offers.

There, I’ve cracked the mystery of my professional philosophy. And I’ve learned to spell philosophy.

I’m glad that gorilla escaped.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.