When I heard the newspaper offices in Ogdensburg are closing and the Journal's offices will be in Canton...I knew it meant Chuck Kelly was retiring, because that's not something he could bear to watch....The changes in print are of economic necessity and the way things were are certainly not how they will be.
But like the writer of this OP/ED, I too hope there is a revival of old school community journalism.....The guy who hears an address on the scanner and knows the story is important not for what happened but where it happened...The crusty guy in the slot barking orders to reporters....and making sure their young skills are couched in context...the "every man" editor who is in touch everyday with the lives and lifestyles of those afflicted that need comforting.
Back when I was at TV 7 and Glenn Hall was in charge, he would direct the newscasts and when it was time to tell the anchor to talk, Glenn would bellow "cue the talker !" over the headsets. It was telling the up and coming celebrity journalists that maybe they weren't quite as phenominal as they thought (including me). I like old school, but I won't antagonize my friends in the business by saying we don't have any of that now...We do...but not a lot of bigger than life figures like Chuck.
I am not here to canonize Chuck Kelly...for all I know he may have already cut that deal with the Bishop of the city he has reported on for over half a century....I would like to add my thanks for his career, even though I am not a journalist per se, I play one on the Internet.
When in Ogdensburg, I always enjoyed a stop at the Journal to see what's up and chat with Chuck or Jim Reagen.
Technologies have changed the way news is delivered, but despite all the clutter we have now, there is no substitute for content.....It's what consumers of news want and its what Chuck delivered.
Watertown Daily Times Chuck Kelly a superb community journalist
5 comments:
now that chuck has retired and the newspaper's office is moving to canton, what's to happen to dave shea?
dave has been the chuck kelly of sports at the journal since christ was a corporal. will he work out of the canton office too?
Without the MSM you so enjoy ragging on, you would have far less to pat yourself on the back for while playing journalist on the internet.
Why such a jerk, friend...?
Thing is, there is no "real" journalism these days. Well, maybe in the backwoods of the 'burg, but practically nowhere else. "Journalists," if one can even call them that, rarely pick up a phone these days, let alone wear out a little shoe leather. They find their "source" on the 'Net or Fox "News" and go with that, barely bothering to check further down the line for accuracy. Where is Woodstein when we need them??
"The Large Editor" was and will remain a force in the region . Love him or not, his impact on the area was substantial. While we sometimes disagreed on issues , i would never question his committment to his community and to the economic betterment of the average guy. To his credit Chuck has an impressive record of helping others and has done several things quietly in that regard
Never one to "tiptoe thru the tulips" and blessed with an inquisitive nose for what was REALLY going on , Chuck often was able to cut to the chase with the pols and others and get them to MOVE .
My REAL sympathy here goes to his wife Therese -- damn she NEEDS our prayers now with Chuck around the house :>))
I too am a huge fan of "the Doctor" Dave Shea -- a real legend and friend of athletes and their parents. Dave always focused on the kids. Rock on Doctor!!!!!!.
Post a Comment