Editor’s Notebook — Best And Worst Of Times（英文）

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Historical June 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

Dickens began a novel by saying that “It was the best of times.

It was the worst of times.” All too often lately I have been feeling that same way.

I join just about everyone in worrying about crime and loss of life, often affecting those still below the age of majority. Of course, I proposed a solution–gun control. Small steps have been taken at the national level, but alas not at the statehouse.

An even more difficult problem to address is jobs, or rather the dearth of jobs that pay enough to support a family.

In the old days, such jobs existed, often jobs requiring only a strong back and a good constitution.

It is an all too familiar story that manufacturing jobs have vacated first the central cities, then the suburbs, then the south, and now the U.S. And, they do not return, not in any significant form.

I wish I knew what to do about this or what to do given the fact that the jobs are gone.

A college degree used to be considered a guarantee of middle class status. Today, many graduates look in vain for those good white collar jobs much more common ten or fifteen years ago. That is the worst of times—crime and few jobs.

The best often strikes me as the quality of community we have in Skinker DeBaliviere and some other city neighborhoods.

There are bonds forged by working together for the general good which in turn foster special friendships.

It doesn’t happen in all cities or in all neighborhoods but is very special here.

On that note, as The Times takes off for a couple of months of summer respite, I would like to express my appreciation to several people who have made this job far easier. Venita Lake does a great job time and again on layout. Marj Weir and JoAnn Vatcha contribute immeasurably on a continual basis and, in addition to duties regarding finance and typesetting, help me to steer a steady course. Of course, I’ll accept responsibility for the shortcomings. King Schoenfeld provides great photographs and also has wise counsel. Lois Schoemehl and Kathleen Williams helped us immensely on fundraisers. I’ll also thank our favorite emcee, Dan McGuire, who along with the SDCC, points out a lot of good stories. Thanks also to our columnists: Tom Hoerr, Steve Brammeier, Amrit Gill.

They provide humor and knowledge with every issue.

This major thank you is inserted here so that I can also say that additional volunteers are welcomed. Send me your stories or photos. Sign up to help with layout.

We do need a writer for Vicissitudes (Marj is swamped). Also, call me whenever you have an idea for a story.

My major goal when I became editor was to have a newspaper that reflected the neighborhood. Help me to keep reaching for that goal. Thanks to all and happy summer.

Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1994.

Read this article in the original newspaper issue.

Original source: SD_Times1994_06.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.