The Sala-Blog

It's not very often that I double post my editorial for the
WORD on my blog, but this week's contains
some pretty important information for people
who like to read my rants. So, with visual
aid included....  This is my editorial for
the issue that comes out this week:


The picture in the right hand corner of
this column is from April 2003, during
the first year of this newspaper being
published. It was shot at Webb’s for a
story about the proposed smoking ban,
and later that year was used in the
advertising for this newspaper’s party at
the Surf Club on the last night smoking was allowed in bars in
New York State.

Like the ability to smoke in bar rooms, so very much has changed in the
seven years since I had the idea to start an alternative newsweekly to
cover Chautauqua County. And more changes are ahead.

This will be my last month as your editor. I will participate in four
more issues, including this one. I no longer live in your community, and
you deserve someone that participates in your day to day life. Tim Smeal
will take the helm of the WORD officially after three more issues, and I
hope you’ll welcome the change, as I do, as one that will benefit all
involved; especially you: the reader.

I will have plenty of opportunity to properly say goodbye to you before
I sign-off for good. But, because of the loyal readership of this
column, I wanted to be up-front and give you notice. I will always
deeply appreciate those of you who correspond with me about these weekly
missives, and hope you’ll consider staying in touch with me through my
website. I expect this column will continue somewhat in my blogging and
michaelsalamone.com.

It was seven years ago that I had the idea to start this paper, and
leaving it comes with a lot of positive and negative emotion. There are
memories with a satisfaction of achievement, and those with a deep
regret. Yet throughout it all, I’ve had an unwavering gratefulness for
you, the reader, for your kindness, your support, and for spending a
little time with me every week. Ours is a difficult relationship for me
to walk away from.

Next week is our annual April Fool’s edition of the VERB. I’ll continue
my goodbyes here the week following. Please accept my eternal gratitude
for your years of friendship and support, dear readers. I adore each and
every one of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading
this column.