Published: November 05, 2009 12:31 am      

Crier marks 15 years

Happy anniversary...to us.

Next Wednesday, Nov. 11, will mark the 15th anniversary of the publication of the first issue of the Cooperstown Crier.

In 1994, we started out in a tiny office in The Stables building on Main St., before moving to a larger Main St. location after six months. A little over five years ago, we moved to our current location on Railroad Avenue.

The paper has changed in many ways over the past decade and a half, both technologically and content-wise. We started with just three computers for four people, and of course did not have a website or the internet. There have been some constants as well, including columnist Jim Atwell and editors Eric Ahlqvist and Jim Austin, who have all been here for most of the Crier’s existence.

What has not changed is our mission: To provide an informative, entertaining newspaper which helps lend perspective to local events. When we began this paper, it was not without questions. But we felt that this area was in need of a good weekly newspaper, we think we have provided one, and hope to continue to fill that niche for years to come. In fact, we’re now the longest running continuously published weekly newspaper in Otsego County. (The Freeman’s Journal has been around longer but went out of business for a couple of years in the 1990s.)

We’ve had some recognition, winning in excess of 25 New York State Press Association Awards, ranging from editorial writing, school coverage, photography, sports, and, of course, our most decorated winner, columnist Jim Atwell, in the years we were eligible for the competition.

Our editors have a combined 28 years of service to the Crier, allowing us to write more informed stories as well.

At the beginning of 2010, our readers will notice a redesign to the Town Crier which we’re confident our readers will enjoy.

Of course, we couldn’t be successful without our readers. Give us a call (547-9493), send us a fax (547-1109), or e-mail (crier@csdsl.net), and let us know what’s happening.

We like to think we put out a quality newspaper week in and week out, making us the largest circulation weekly in Otsego County. For that, we say thank you to our readers, and we look forward to the next 15 years.