Never A Good Time to Say Goodbye
Enjoying one last coffee in my office.
By:
Charlie Comfort
Publisher
SIGOURNEY – I recently heard a retired judge describe the concept of saying goodbye as one
which lacks convenience; you have to say goodbye when it’s time, not when it’s convenient.
While not in the same context, I announce to Sigourney and all of Keokuk County that my time
to say goodbye has come. By the time many of you read this, my two-and-a-half-year tenure at
Mid-America Publishing will have drawn to a close. In addition, the curtain is falling on my
career in journalism. Most importantly, I recently accepted a new job that, while taking me out
of the journalism industry, is perfect for my growing family and an opportunity I simply could
not decline.
In 2018, I received a note out of the blue from the then-President of Mid-America Publishing
saying he had a job opening in Sigourney and he wanted to discuss it with me. I had previously
interviewed with him in 2016 for a job at one of Mid-America Publishing at one of our northern
Iowa papers and the fact that he remembered me and was able to find me meant a lot to me.
I was content working at Community 1 st Credit Union but the opportunity to be an editor was
enticing. Within a year I was honored to be asked to take the role of Publisher of the News-
Review, as well as the Keota Eagle and the New Sharon Sun. To put it simply, I don’t regret the
decision to come to Sigourney.
I have met a lot of people here in Sigourney and Keokuk County. I have made so many
memories. Covering the journeys of Megan Clark, as well as Isabelle Ireland, Jenni Clarahan,
and Caleb Hammes all have been very moving moments for me. They have shown to me what
strength during your toughest times truly is. I will never forget my Monday morning Supervisor
meetings, and getting to solve the nation’s problems with Mike Hadley, Deke Wood, and Mick
Berg. I learned through those meetings what it truly means to save lives. Covering the social
side of so many people in Keokuk County and telling the stories of a tight-knit community has
been a true blessing. Everyone has a story and it needs to be told. Last, and certainly not least, I
cherish the conversations of everyone who has come into the office each week, whether it be
to pick up a newspaper, or yes, to offer some constructive criticism. Our office regulars, such as
Jeff Kiebel, Cassie O’Rourke, and Kris Utterback have brought smiles to my face each week.
Of course, I am going to miss working with the team I have had the pleasure of getting to know
over the past two-and-a-half years. I especially will miss my morning coffee runs with Holly Van
Voltenburg, my office manager; my political discussions with Jared Larson, my sports editor;
and my ad brainstorming sessions with Katie Phillips, my marketing representative. Those three
will still be in the office. I ask everyone to take it easy on them to adapt to me being gone. They
are all local residents too and put much into the Keokuk County community.
A successor to me has not yet been named. In the meantime, I humbly ask that everyone show
patience and support to the remaining staff of the News-Review. That support is what is going
to make it easier on the staff as they are without an editor temporarily, and still expected to
put a newspaper together each and every week, while also doing their own jobs that they were
hired for. A newspaper thrives on community support, and nothing about that has ever
changed. Without support and understanding from the community, a newspaper cannot
function. Newspapers depend on communities for story leads, participating in special sections
and events, and yes, advertising revenue. With me leaving, nothing about that changes. In fact,
that urgent need for community support becomes even greater.
We have made much progress and many changes over the past year, and while not everyone
has liked it, I believe it has created a better newspaper committed to covering everyone, not
just a select group.
I thank everyone for their support over the years, from my first story ever written, to this final
farewell. If you see me before my last day on Thursday, feel free to stop and say hey. Those
community connections have been what has made me enjoy this job so much. So, my friends,
this is where it comes to an end for me. I hope we will all meet again.
Category:
Contact
The News-Review
120 East Washington
Sigourney, Iowa 52591
Phone: 641-622-3110
News: news@sigourneynewsreview.com
601 G. Avenue/PO Box 245
Grundy Center, IA 50638
Telephone: 1-319-824-6958
Fax: 1-319-824-6288
News: editor@gcmuni.net
Sales: registerads@gcmuni.net
Grundy Center, IA 50638
Telephone: 1-319-824-6958
Fax: 1-319-824-6288
News: editor@gcmuni.net
Sales: registerads@gcmuni.net
Mid-America Publishing
This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.
