Times are a-changin' at The Gazette

“Come writers and critics/Who prophesize with your pen/And keep your eyes wide/The chance won't come again.” – From “Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan.
No matter the situation, Bob Dylan has probably written a song with a lyric that applies to it.
Beginning June 1 with the retirement of Gene Kemmeter as the managing editor of The Gazette and continuing until early July through a transition period loaded with a number of changes, “Times They Are A-Changin’,” would most apply to the situation here.
Gene’s retirement is a huge change for The Gazette. For the past 11 years, he has been the face of the paper, which he helped found with several other local media legends, including George Rogers, Jim Schuh and Bill Berry. People calling, e-mailing or stopping in at The Gazette most likely encountered Gene, who was always more than happy to meet those people.
He has also been a silent but major presence at events throughout the community. From Cultural Fest to Riverfront Rendezvous and from both of Portage County’s fairs to the Jazz Festival, Gene was there, camera in one hand and notepad in the other, taking photos and documenting the event for The Gazette.
Gene has also been a top-notch reporter in covering news events, meetings, controversies and anything else the newspaper business has thrown at him for the more than 40 years he’s been in the business. He learned from the best, quoting George Rogers to me constantly in the three years I’ve worked with him, and he has always been more than happy to share what he has learned.
I’ve benefited from this knowledge, as has his son, John, The Gazette’s sports editor. Former employees have also benefited, including Chris Randazzo; Gene’s other son, Mike, who is the news director for a radio station in Appleton; and dozens of interns who have worked here throughout the years.
Following in Gene’s footsteps is daunting, and I hope I can live up to his legendary status as one of the finest journalists this community has ever produced.
Fortunately, I’ve got some good help. In addition to Gene, who still plans on writing and taking photographs during his well-deserved retirement, John Kemmeter will now be working for The Gazette on a full-time basis, rather than just part-time. Making him a full-time employee was an easy decision, as John is one of the finest sports writers in central Wisconsin.
Also helping is Matthew Brown, a 1995 Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) graduate. Matthew, who recently moved back to Stevens Point after living elsewhere throughout the country, will have the city beat Gene covered, as well as other writing and editing duties as The Gazette’s part-time associate editor.
The Gazette also has three interns this summer: Rose Schneider, a 2008 Pacelli High School graduate majoring in international journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Thomasina Johnson, a 2008 SPASH graduate majoring in journalism and French at Miami University of Ohio; and Mandy Glenzer, a 2008 SPASH graduate majoring in photography at Columbia University in Chicago, Ill. The veterans here plan on putting them through The Gazette’s unofficial “School of Journalism” this summer, so when they return to their schools in the fall they’ll be at the top of their classes.
I would be negligent if I didn’t mention The Gazette’s longtime employees: production manager Paula O’Kray, ad salesmen Kevin “Casey” Sullivan and Matt Clucas, circulation manager Ann Leahy, and graphic artist Brett Hiorns. All five have contributed in big ways in making The Gazette one of the best weekly papers in Wisconsin.
Beginning with this issue, on page 4, Brett will draw editorial cartoons for The Gazette. An artist known most for his work with New York Times-bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss of Stevens Point, Brett excels at drawing caricatures, a skill that will serve him well in this endeavor.
One of the biggest changes taking place at The Gazette has nothing to do with personnel, though. On July 1, The Gazette will move from its location at 2800 Church St. to downtown Stevens Point at 1042 Main St., the former ProLogic building.
This new location will better serve our needs, as it’s bigger and better designed. It’s also in a more visible location, right across the street from the library. We’re excited about the move and invite people to stop in and visit us when we’re there.
Also, people may notice the small price increase with this issue of The Gazette. Frankly, it was needed because the single-copy price has been 50 cents since The Gazette started in 1999. Even at 75 cents, we still think you’re getting a good deal.
The times may have changed here at The Gazette, but we are confident we’ll continue to provide a quality product as we have always done.