Eight years ago today, East Cobb News came into existence, and our first post, although rather modest and short, still holds immense value for me, and not just for sentimental reasons.
The specific plans to launch an independent local news site in the community that I call home was years in the making, after I had spent many years as a newspaper reporter.
But in truth, the idea to start what seemed at the time an improbable dream may have flickered decades before that, and I just didn’t know it.
A lot of journalists I know get into this business because they want to serve—their communities, their readers, those whose stories need telling—and deep down, that’s what was at the heart of what I really wanted to do.
Not long after first pushed the button on this site, I wondered “What was I thinking?” and I’ve thought that a few times ever since. Because this isn’t just a news site, but a small business, something I’ve never tried before.
It’s been challenging at times, especially with COVID, the East Cobb Cityhood saga and a good bit of political conflict that continues today.
But I have never wavered in the belief that old-fashioned, independent, hometown local news would find an engaged and growing audience here, and East Cobb News continues to strive to serve all of you who bother to read.
We’ve published more than 6,000 stories and just about as many calendar listings, with many of you contributing to that. You’ve given us news tips, your own stories and events to share, or asked us to look into something.
We’ve tried to follow up on every suggestion we get, knowing we can’t answer all your questions, or make everyone happy.
All that I can pledge to you is to be accessible, to hear you out and try to understand what makes this community tick. I grew up here, but East Cobb continues to evolve with younger generations, and with newer sensibilities.
There’s still so much to learn, and so much that surprises me, about a place where I’ve been for many years. It fuels the daily objective of giving people here more than just a snapshot of the community, but a way for them to feel more invested in it.
That’s one of the most enjoyable things about being a journalist—you never know who you’re going to meet, or what’s going to happen. No two days running this site have been the same, and while some people want predictability, I think it’s important to remain flexible.
We’re living in changing times, and it’s intriguing to me as I continue in middle age to chronicle how this community changes.
And that includes reaching out to and appealing to business owners with our digital advertising products. One of the main reasons I think local news is best done online is because it’s the best bet for local businesses to market themselves.
East Cobb News provides local business owners with something they can’t get anywhere else—dozens of dynamic formats and customized reporting to show how their ad is performing.
I think it’s a win-win for readers and businesses, and it’s my highest commitment to continue serving you all as best I can.
I have always envisioned East Cobb News having impact beyond the headlines, and I hear this quite often from readers.
Just the other day, after the newsletter was published, a reader wrote to say that “you are a true journalist, not a loyalist, reason why I look forward to getting your publication every weekend! Keep up the good work in our community.”
I’m not sure what a “loyalist” means, except that I’m loyal to those who take the time to read what’s published here, and to stay in touch. Even those who have complaints, I do want to hear from you.
In an age of lower trust—especially the news media—and heated, tribalized rhetoric about almost everything, East Cobb News hasn’t shied away from explaining how that has happened here.
But we know that conflict, crime and grim headlines don’t define any community, and that’s not all there is to the news. We love getting out and cover events, especially arts and entertainment, or just illustrating how people relax.
Readers tell us constantly how important quality-of-life issues matter to them in our coverage of the community.
As a general interest publication, that’s a core to our mission.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The people who drive this community—parents and professionals, business owners and volunteers, faith leaders and civic activists, among many others—figure in a major way in what you see at East Cobb News.
We enjoy getting to know why people do what they do, and in showcasing them, underscores what’s vital to maintaining the essence of this community.
Readers help us out in so many ways, and not just sending news about a recognition, but in the real-time reporting of stories that nobody else covers like we do.
And even when the news isn’t good. But that’s all in a day’s, week’s, month’s and many years of work here at East Cobb News that we plan to continue doing for a long time to come.
We’re buoyed by your support, including those of you who have contributed financially.
This message isn’t to solicit your support, but if you’d like to contribute, you can do so by clicking the green box below.
Providing you with the local news that you love is our first objective, and our true passion.
As East Cobb News begins Year Nine, we want to do even more, and not just with the news we provide. We’ve been honored to be a sponsor for the Taste of East Cobb, and we have plans to expand our community outreach.
While your donations certainly help us do what we do best, we want you to tell us how we can do better.
I’ll be getting out a reader survey after the summer break, but please send along your feedback any time. Contact me at wendy@eastcobbnews.com and give me your thoughts, compliments, complaints, suggestions, etc.
It’s been an honor to serve you these last eight years, and I eagerly look forward to the future!
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer, and thanks so much for your readership!
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