Column: A lot has changed in five years with the Aiken Standard

Sep. 28—Five years.

That's a long time by most definitions, and certainly nothing to sneeze at in today's ever-changing job market.

I took over as executive editor of the Aiken Standard on Sept. 23, 2019. Thanks to an online calendar calculator, I've spent 1,833 days in this role.

There were days that I wanted to pull out 1,833 hairs, if I have that many. I reckon the brick wall on Whiskey Road has been hit about 1,833 times since I took over, but I might be exaggerating. It sure feels like it.

I'm not a person who hops around from job to job. I've been a journalist for all 37 years since I graduated from college. The first nine were spent here at the Aiken Standard, and the next 23 at The Augusta Chronicle.

When I was approached about taking this job in 2019, I thought it was a good opportunity. And it was and still is.

A former publisher here liked to say that we write the first draft of history. And that's correct, we do tell folks what is going on with our coverage of various government meetings and community events. Until the robots and the big news organizations figure out a way to cover those, I think we will remain an important part of this community.

I've always felt that a newspaper is somewhat like a utility. Readers think of us as a resource and are not shy to express their opinions or ask us to publish their news. Back in the old days — the '80s — it wasn't uncommon for folks to use us like a phone operator. I'd regularly field calls from folks wanting numbers to certain places or people — but I drew the line when they wanted a TV station's number.

Now it's easy to search on your cellphone for information. Phone books are a thing of the past. At a meeting with my fellow leaders from the Post and Courier last week, we were reviewing changes in the newspaper industry and our company president asked the group what happened in the mid-1990s. I instinctively blurted out "the internet," and she said that was right.

That was a game changer, and it brought us social media a few years later. It also changed forever how news and information is disseminated. We laughed about how we used to make sure stories showed up in print before they were online; now, the opposite is true.

Today's Top Headlines

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Historic Aiken home goes on the market following owner's federal indictment. Here's the listing price.

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Tropical Storm Helene's damage in Aiken County a reminder of the 2014 ice storm's devastation

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Owners plan improvements at The Willcox after selling North Carolina hotel for nearly $10 million

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Member of Aiken Winter Colony family found liable over alleged recording of married couple

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Tires, peaches and more: Manufacturing is a key part of Aiken County's economy

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THIS AND THAT: Helene stirs memories from 65 years ago

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FOTAS: Aiken County Animal Shelter is packed with puppies

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Aiken to provide water to southside Parker's Kitchen and 55-plus subdivision

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Updated: 3 dead from Tropical Storm Helene identified, Storm knocks out power for 92% of Aiken Electric customers

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'Disaster after the disaster:' Local residents face Tropical Storm Helene's aftermath

When I came on board in 2019, the Aiken Standard had just installed a new-to-us press. I was told that print would be viable for another decade or so.

Then the pandemic hit, and things changed. It was hard to find people to work, and even harder to find skilled folks to operate our press.

So we adapted. First, we outsourced our printing to Charleston and our printing press went away. Then, we shifted from delivering the paper by carrier to the U.S. Postal Service.

We've survived those changes, and I still maintain that covering local news will remain important. How you access that has changed, and will likely continue to evolve.

Our business model has shifted with more emphasis on digital, not just for news but also advertising. We also have sought new ways to pay for meaningful journalism, and our Public Service and Investigative Journalism Fund is off and running. Visit www.aikenstandard.com/pledge to learn more.

When I took a job across the river in 1996, my new boss told me it was a big year with a presidential election and the Olympics in Atlanta.

Truth be told, every year is a big year. We might not have the Olympics, but we've got plenty of important matters to cover that include an election.

It's been a fast five years, and I look forward to what the future will bring.

Thanks for reading.