Beachcombing

There’s a rumor going around that I’m retiring from being the Beachcomber publisher in two years. I suppose it was fueled by the “Jay’s Retirement Party July 4, 2025” line at the bottom of the masthead (the box on the lower, right side of this page).

Just to clarify, it is my intent to retire from being the editor on or before that date and avoid any tasks associated with a deadline. No more handing out assignments or editing of reporter’s and columnist’s stories, no more page layouts, no more proofreading, no more handling the distribution and no more meeting a delivery truck at 4 a.m. on alternating Fridays.

We will have a new editor doing those tasks so that I may work even less than I do now and have more fun. Examples include watching the grand kids play soccer, going to entertainment venues, trying new restaurants, taking trips to hang out with friends and relatives, visiting new destinations near and far, and reading more books.

If someone wants to purchase the paper and kick me out, I’m open to that. But my current plan is to phase in an editor and only do publisher stuff like pay the bills, write occasional columns, sell a few ads and mentor the interns. I have it on good authority that I am not going to live forever, and it would be wise to plan for that eventuality. This will make it easier for an editor to become the publisher when the time is right.

This strategy will extend to work outside the office. No more climbing on the roof or entering the attic or interior remodeling or trimming the large gumdrop-shaped tree in the front yard. If it involves climbing a ladder, someone else can do it. I still have bouts of vertigo dating back to a traumatic injury while serving in the US Air Force, so sometimes the first few steps up a ladder will initiate a cerebral spinning sensation.

Publishing has been fun and has presented many challenges. I am proud of changes that we have initiated by exposing the good and bad locally. The internet has sapped away some print advertising revenues but also generated online sources of income.

The bottom line is that many older citizens enjoy having the printed word in front them while sipping their morning beverage. They avoid computers, even if they used one prior to retirement. They want to see the local news stories that have declined in recent years with the corporate takeover of daily and weekly newspapers, resulting in huge staff reductions and selling off their property assets.

I remember when the Press-Telegram had a large building at Sixth and Pine, filled with a few hundred employees and a printing press on the ground level. The Grunion Gazette had a large staff at offices in Belmont Shore. No more, thanks to those greedy corporations. The only presence of those newspapers in recent months has been a small office space on the south side of PCH, across from our offices. That building is slated to become student housing for CSULB next year.

So, the Beachcomber will be around as long as we have your support. That can involve story suggestions, letters to the editor, paid subscriptions, donations, sponsoring our contests and buying ad space. As we approach 25 years of publishing, we are planning for and looking forward to the next 25 years.

Things to ponder:

• Why is canceling student debt a good idea? Does it make sense to reward people who do not honor their financial commitment by taxing the people who do?
• Does it make sense to cut off oil from an ally and buy it from an enemy who calls for your death?
• Are we living in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended?
• Is this a great description of America: Andy has left town and Barney is in charge?
• Why is talking sexually in the workplace considered sexual harassment to adults … but talking about sexuality to children K-3 at school considered education?

publisher@beachcomber.news