From The Editor's Desk

As I glance around Sun-Herald writer Robert Parsons' office, I think ‘this is just how it should be.

His office is that of a typical newspaper writer, and well-equipped to handle the tasks asked of a small town newspaper reporter. Strewn across his desk, which can be described best as organized chaos, Rob has dictionaries, books, notebooks, and pens. There are Post It notes attached to everything that one can be stuck to, in an effort to not forget the tumultuously long list of things not to forget to do, see, photograph and write about in the county.

There is a mile-long list of stories in progress, things he is assigned to do, see, photograph, and write about. And there are approximately 17 empty coffee cups, downed soldiers helping him fight to stay awake to accomplish those tasks. And of course, as we all have, the list of things you actually want to do, see, photograph, and write about - many of the things that unfortunately may never see the print version of a newspaper.

Yes, this is just as it should be and I can’t think of better hands to leave the reporting of the weekly business of this great county in than Rob’s, or as I affectionately refer to him, Monkey. Don’t ask.

I have chosen to move on from the Sun-Herald, and this will be the last paper I put together, the last editorial I will write.

Writing a good-bye piece is probably one of the most difficult tasks I’ve set out to do in the past two years I’ve worked at this paper and in this community. I fear for a Sally Fields-ish “they love me, they really love me” overdramatic sentiment or one of the famous Oscar speeches that are cut off by a commercial break before the recipient gets a chance to thank his or her dentist’s neighbor’s hairdresser’s wife.

I suppose that’s the good thing about writing - you may choose to put down this piece of work and never finish reading it, however my words will be immortalized forever in the ink on these pages, so I may ramble as I wish.

It may have been a different approach than the mainstream, but immortalizing words forever on these pages was my goal as the editor here. Because we are such a small newspaper and because we only print twice a week, we aren’t able to always be the source of the most breaking news or exciting headlines.

While that may be a source of frustration or discourse for some, I have tried my best to use what we are in a way that will turn the daily happenings of the neighbors, children, friends, and even enemies of this county into legends for all those who succeed them. A small town, twice-a-week paper can best be used as an historical reference in my opinion, and I did my best to make sure that the most historically-important issues were covered - the things that will really matter to the generations to come as they look back on this paper.

Of course, on my journey with not only this paper, but the county of Colusa as a whole, was made much better, more entertaining, easier [and in some cases more difficult] by the people who make this place what it is. While I could write a novel’s worth of stories, anecdotes, and sentiments about my time here, they probably wouldn’t be as important or entertaining to the general public as they are to me.

I do, however, feel it necessary to thank you, the county of Colusa, for allowing me to be the scribe of the most important historical document you have, one that has been in this county for 145 years.

Specifically I must thank James Nair. I’m not sure what made him hire me in the first place, but I’m glad he did. The many long days and nights tearing our hair out on deadlines, sitting through four-hour meetings, and even building floats for parades were all worth it and I have him to thank for setting the direction of this paper in a true, honest, fair, and interesting way. Even though James moved on over a year ago, he continued to be a source of help for me on a weekly basis as I got my sea legs, so to speak.

There are many amazing people that are what I consider to be the glue that holds this county together, and those people all helped, in one way or another, shape this paper, the stories in it, and the experiences that I will never forget. I must thank all the members of the Colusa County Sheriff’s Department, especially Sheriff Scott Marshall, Lt. Doug Turner, and Chief Deputy Kevin Wheeler; the Colusa and Williams Police Departments; District Attorney John Poyner; all of the members of the Board of Supervisors; Family Water Alliance Executive Director Ashley Emery; former director and current TCCA General Manager Jeffery Sutton; Colusa Public Works Administrator Patty Hickel; Historian John Morton; Colusa council member Tom Reische and his family; council member John Rogers; Mayor Bob McKaben; Williams Mayor Patricia Ash; Former CHP Commander Gary Teragawa; current commander Doug Uhlik; Verdo Werre and Sherri Burns at McNary Moore [two of the most patient people on earth!]; Craig Hill and Chuck Comfort for keeping a roof over my head; and Pat Kittle for all of his help. One of the biggest thanks I need to give is to Gene McKasson for his incredible friendship and his service to the community.

I must give extra-special thanks to the ladies at Shear Class, without whom I never would have come to Colusa County and to Jimmy Boggs, without whom I never would have had the confidence to apply for the position as a part-time reporter. Also, the entire Colusa Fire Department for keeping the city protected and well-fed! If I have forgotten anybody, I am truly sorry, as I said this is the most difficult thing I’ve ever written.

Most importantly, I must my parents and grandparents for all of their love and support and encouragement. Oh, and for the writing genes, those have been helpful as well.

I always said that I could never leave this place until I felt that it was in not only competent, but excellent hands. I truly believe that is the case with Robert Parsons here. I must thank him more than anyone else for being another one of the ‘good guys’ - the people who remind me that I’m not the only one out there who wants to do the right thing, do the right thing well, and do it with flair.

Equally as importantly as that, I must thank him for being a teammate, and a friend. You can trust Rob to handle this incredibly important historical document. I just ask that you please do not go easy on him - I wouldn’t want him to think that all my good stories aren’t true!

Before I end what has been an incredible ride, I also want to thank everyone who provided positive feedback, and just as importantly, all those who provided negative feedback to me while at this paper. Without hearing from the community, we can never know how to tailor it to what is important to you, the people it serves.

Thanks again Colusa County for everything.

Nikki Hancock may be reached at nhancockreporter@yahoo.com.