After a long and exhaustive search, the Independent Tribune hired James Bennett, a long-time journalist with Charlotte area ties to lead its newsroom
The last six months have been hectic, to say the least.
After the former editor of the Independent Tribune resigned her post for a job with the Charlotte Business Journal in February, I took on many of her duties at the daily paper while the search for a permanent replacement was carried out. In doing so, I have had to split my time between Harrisburg and the newsroom at the Tribune.
The past six months provided a great opportunity to try my hand at life at a daily newspaper, including opportunities to lead a newsroom of talented and eager reporters and cover breaking news and in-depth enterprise stories that are much more difficult to accomplish in the weekly newspaper world.
I gladly admit that I very much enjoyed the experience of leading a daily newsroom. It was a challenge that tested my previous experience and taught me a great deal about both myself and my profession.
All that said, it is with great pleasure that myself and the staff of the Tribune welcomed a new full-time editor, James Bennett, Monday.
James comes to Concord from just outside of Tuscon, Ariz., where he worked at the Green Valley News. His trip east, however, wasn’t an unfamiliar journey, as he worked for the Charlotte Observer in the late 1990s.
One of the things that excites me most about James is his desire to integrate himself into the community and to serve the community through a strong, locally-focused news product. I am hopeful that there are great things to come for the Independent Tribune and our community.
Furthermore, I’m excited to get back into my role as editor of Harrisburg Horizons and covering the community that drew me away from my hometown more than two and a half years ago. There are many stories that I’ve been unable to tell in recent months, and I look forward to catching up very soon.
Jonathan E. Coleman
Editor