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A rewarding time, but back to work
Last weekend, several members of the Cheektowaga Times staff traveled to Saratoga Springs to attend the New York Press Association's annual conference and awards ceremony for 2006. The staff was very gratified with the results. We were honored to receive three awards, one each for our reporting, photography and editorial cartoons.
Since 2002 the Times has won seven press association awards, an average of better than one per year. While we always strive to publish the area's best weekly newspaper, it's always nice to receive accolades for our work. The awards and accompanying conference help to show what we're doing right and advise us on what needs improvement.
In each of the past two years we have been honored with awards for our spot, or breaking, news coverage. When a tornado struck town last June, Newsroom Director John J. Hopkins and Steven Dlugosz both rushed to sites damaged by the twister. Their observations, interviews with eyewitnesses and in-depth reporting from many angles was deemed among the best in the Empire State.
Dale Neseman is no stranger to winning awards for his editorial cartoons. His work for the Hamburg Sun has won several awards, and he has also been recognized with awards by out-of-state press associations. It was no surprise to us that Neseman's "Mouse That Roared" cartoon was a winner.
The Times' staff photographers are its reporters, who always ably capture the so-called "Kodak moments" and more serious situations on film. A simple photo of "Arm and Leg" gas prices along Harlem Road was considered one of the best in New York State. The Times has won four awards for its photography, including a third place award this year.
Not wanting to rest on our laurels, let's examine where our readers can expect a different angle. Some areas of the Times are already undergoing change. For example, our Web site, www.cheektowagatimes.com, is being updated during the week as breaking news happens. Between Thursday deliveries our Web readers can read the earliest bulletins on any major breaking news before Thursday's complete print coverage of the event.
We brought back from Saratoga Springs tips on how to improve our editorials; to create editorials that will provide a kick in the pants and call for action, or inspire our readers to demand change. Emphasis on local board meetings will be abbreviated when the situation calls for it. If a meeting only lasts 15 minutes, our readers should expect a brief review of the meeting, and not a minute-byminute account.
Because our reporters are naturally curious individuals, they will use their inquisitive nature to look "behind the scenes" and take the extra step that makes a good story great. There are 94,000 residents in Cheektowaga, and there are many stories to be told.
We plan to win an award in the sports categories next year. We know that we publish Cheektowaga's best sports section. It is upto date, and includes eyewitness game observations from our reporters and post-game commentary from both players and coaches. In the next few months, our readers can expect some tweaking and other minor changes that we believe will put us over the top. But fear not, we won't "abandon ship." Our sports will remain locally driven.
When we make changes, we make them for the benefit of our readers. Our goal each week is to provide Cheektowaga, Depew and Sloan residents the best, most complete and most comprehensive news of their hometown. We welcome your suggestions and comments.
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