Matthew Lawney is new VP and General Manager
On April 1, 2019 I took over as the Vice President and General Manager of The News of the Highlands, Inc.
In doing so I took over many of the responsibilities of Joe Gill who had been with this company for over 40 years. He leaves a great legacy and tough shoes to fill.
I have to say that when initially approached about the opportunity to take on Joe’s role, my reaction was to graciously decline.
However, through some coaxing and soul searching, I convinced myself to accept the challenge. However, my first day was April 1st … I kept thinking the phone would ring with someone declaring ‘April Fools’! I am grateful the day came and went without any such call.
My decision to take this position was greatly influenced by a coincidental connection to a treasure box, a gift from my parents a few years ago when they were packing for a move. Initially upon receiving the box I briefly opened it and saw a mass of papers. Overwhelmed, I closed the box and placed it in the basement. Several months ago, I found myself and my family moving from Fort Montgomery to Cornwall. As we packed the house for the move, I again came across the box. With orders from my wife to get rid of stuff, I looked a bit more closely, trying to decide if it made the cut to come with us or if it should go to the curb.
It turns out, the content of that box was far more than paper, it was my story. I found old report cards, honor society certificates, awful art projects, awards won participating in sports, a stack of neatly folded two-dollar bills that the undertaker would palm me for being an alter server at funerals.
There were also many other treasures, but my most extraordinary discovery was newspaper clippings about me. Some contained just my name mentioned for one accomplishment or another, and others had my picture. Looking at them, I remembered how important I felt as a child to be in the local newspaper.
That treasure box was my parents ‘Facebook page’ about my youth. Prior to entering that box my art work would hang on our art wall in the garage; accomplishments would be celebrated with trips to Friendly’s; pictures would be taken. The newspaper articles would be placed on the fridge and my parents would buy extra newspapers and mail them to friends and family. Ultimately, all these accomplishments would get filed away in my box.
When I was asked to take this position the box and clippings flashed into my head. It reminded me about the importance of local news in our communities. I want to be part of creating content for your boxes. Our towns are fortunate to still have community newspapers, but unfortunately times are changing and newspapers are struggling. We are no exception.
The News of the Highlands and The Cornwall Local are committed to continuing to report the news in our communities and to tell your stories. In return, we are asking for your continued commitment to support us through subscription and advertising. In the months to come we will be trying new things, and looking for new ways to better engage our communities, schools and businesses. Please be our partners and do not hesitate to contact us with any recommendations, stories or content.
My two final thoughts for today? One, hopefully my parents will buy a few extra copies of this week’s paper that I can put in that box that happily resides under my bed in Cornwall. Second, that this journey produces more than just another piece of paper for my box, but plenty for all of your boxes.
— Matthew Lawney
