In 2014, two years after I retired from a 32-year banking career, I was offered the opportunity to write a biweekly opinion column for the Juneau Empire. I decided to give it a go. I figured the unpaid position was a great fit since it gave me the flexibility to write about any subject, and I wouldn’t be bound by a rigid schedule (other than meeting my Wednesday deadline every two weeks).
I also felt that I could contribute to helping our local newspaper foster a strong and informed citizenry in their function as a forum where different ideas are presented and discussed.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge, literally and figuratively, in the intervening 10 years.
I have written over 250 op-eds. I’ve worked with four different Empire editors: Charles Westmoreland, Emily Miller, Ben Hohenstatt and Mark Sabbatini. I am grateful for the support they provided and the dedication to which they applied to their craft.
I can’t think of a time when any of them vetoed a subject I chose or questioned a stance I took, some of which were hotly debated and contentious.
While each editor leaves an imprint on the publication, arguably the Juneau Empire’s current editor, Mark Sabbatini, has had the toughest task. He has presided over a substantial loss of staff and the continued downsizing of the Empire’s print edition. His tenure has mirrored significant declines in print media across the nation as consumers increasingly turn to digital platforms for their news and information.
To his credit, Mark has expanded the Empire’s online presence and concentrated on local news. I especially value the timely and factual reporting on local Assembly and school board meetings, an area that has not received enough attention in the past. Local sports reporting has also been a mainstay feature of the newspaper.
My professional background and longtime interests have nudged me to write extensively on transportation, business and economic issues. As a parent and now grandparent, I have followed and expounded on the state of our education system and drop in student performance. As a veteran, I also have reflected on appreciation for the military and American history. Within those areas, with few exceptions, I have confined my columns, mostly and unapologetically, to their local impact.
When I started writing, it was common for newspaper editors to write editorials. Today, there is a growing trend of newspapers to discontinue that practice (and not endorse political candidates either). Instead, they rely on their opinion pages to provide different points of view instead of their own.
This has led me to appreciate even more the role a newspaper plays in our community, especially on its opinion pages. Ultimately it’s my job to express an opinion based on the reasons I present. I’m not required to balance all points of view. That’s a reporter’s job, and an important distinction between what I do and what they do.
My counterpart on the Empire opinion page, Rich Moniak, has been writing a weekly column longer than me and I respect his commitment and longevity. We have exchanged views over coffee and periodically swap text messages to comment on each other’s columns.
We don’t share many political views in common, but despite that, we have agreed on several high-profile issues in Juneau over the last several years. We were on the same side regarding banning large cruise ships (AGAINST), re-development of Telephone Hill (FOR), limiting cell phones in school (FOR), and reviewing and revising CBJ’s current Vote-By-Mail system (FOR).
The fact that we can agree on some local issues despite our divergent political views illustrates that it is possible for agreement and compromise to occur on controversial matters even in a town like Juneau.
In our community, with diverse political views and cultural backgrounds, we all assume responsibilities to contribute positively. This includes participating in civil discussions and respecting each other’s viewpoint.
As we approach the new year, I am gratified that Juneau residents continue to support their hometown newspaper. That’s the only way it will remain a vital source of local information and a foundation for a healthy and engaged community.
• After retiring as the senior vice president in charge of business banking for KeyBank in Alaska, Win Gruening became a regular Opinion Page columnist for the Juneau Empire. He was born and raised in Juneau and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970. He is involved in various local and statewide organizations. Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire. Have something to say? Here’s how to submit a My Turn or letter.
