Nearly 13 years ago when I founded Saline River Chronicle, I honestly had no idea where the road would lead. Things took off quickly, the page views increased, and it suddenly became my real job.
Over a decade later I look back at what’s made the site such a success. We’ve been fast, posted quality reporting, have a very supportive community, and a wonderful group of advertisers who help us publish every day at no cost to the readers. I’m so thankful for it all. It’s provided me a chance to stay in Warren, my home, as well as raise my family here.
Top photo by Tim Kessler
The success of Saline River Chronicle over the last decade-plus however was not solely down to the above. In truth, I had the support of two of the best parents a guy could ever be blessed with. My late mother Beverly was the journalism mind behind our early years. Few people may know it, but the chronicle was actually her idea. I was a dream-filled young wannabe filmmaker who was trying to find my path in life after college when she suggested an online newspaper to help me make ends meet. After the founding, she poured hours of her own time into making the site a success. Losing her in 2020 was a blow, but we managed to move forward, and have since grown even more.
Many of you will have also seen my father Gregg around town over the past 12 years working for Saline River Chronicle in various capacities, from selling advertising, and covering events, to hosting our SouthArk Spotlight episodes each month. He’s been a steadfast supporter of mine from the starting line, always willing to step in and help where needed. No job was ever too big or too small. He has packed envelopes when I was busy, and covered school board meetings when necessary. This business would not be where it is today without his past support. Credit must be given to him for his work on the site over the years. He’s not a trained newsman, nor a man who set out to sell advertising, although he’s been pretty darn good at both. No, his only goal was to support his son’s endeavor.
As a father now myself, I can relate to his willingness to jump in and help tackle whatever your child is working on at the time. It doesn’t matter if it’s something you set out to do yourself in life or not. When your child is involved, you go all in. That’s my Dad.
Sunday, my father was sworn in as Mayor of Warren, a job he held for 18 years before I was even in high school. I know he has many ideas to help move the City of Warren forward in the right direction, and I know he’ll give the City of Warren the same effort he’s provided Saline River Chronicle over the years. Tuesday was his first full day on the job, and with the start of his term as Mayor, he’s exiting his work with Saline River Chronicle.
I for one am going to miss him. We’ve shared an office for nearly 13 years. We’ve worked on the chronicle, shared a lot of laughs, butted heads a few times, and solved a few of life’s biggest questions. As he moves on to serve the citizens of the City of Warren, I want to thank him for his time with Saline River Chronicle, and through it, his helping me. I’m extremely proud of him and offer him my best wishes and prayers over the next four years in office.
