CONSIDER THIS: Small Part of a Well-Oiled Machine

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

I know what you’re thinking. What happened to my annual Christmas Scrooge column?

There are plenty of people whose names I could list here, many of whom I’m sure some of you would probably consider Scrooges as well. But I have something more important to say.

Recently, a number of people have been complimenting me for the new look and style of the San Benito News, the website revamp, our coverage and ideas that we’ve been aggressive in putting to work. Among those ideas have been the restaurant review and the Hooked on Hounds feature, which will make its triumphant return in 2013.

These colorful new aspects of the News have little to do with me, as opposed to what some of you have come to believe. I’m just a small part of a well-oiled machine that’s maintained by our publisher, Ray Quiroga, overseen by our production manager, Rudy Peña, made possible by our sales representative, Robert Perez, brought to life by our graphic designer, Sophia Rodriguez, and fueled by the talent of a stable of writers that include Joe Bocanegra, Andrea Mosqueda, Monica Zuniga, Cristina Marie Garcia and Pete Banda. If I’m leaving anybody out, I apologize.

There’s also our bookkeeping department headed by Selma Bermudez, who plays an integral role in our daily operations, and assisted by our secretary Pearl Crow. Of course, the heart of our newspaper, the press, is operated by Daniel Segura and Tony Garzoria, and our inserters Isabel Rivera and Jessica Lopez work hard inserting by hand every copy of the paper so you can check out all the bargains at Target, Walmart, Bass Pro, Sears or Bealls.

Then there’s Heather Cathleen Cox, our sparkly purpling staff writer who although is leaving us to pursue her dreams made a significant impact during her all-too brief stay here. Like Ray did for me so many years ago, Heather changed my perception on a number of things, but more importantly she taught me to write from the heart. For that, I cannot thank her enough.

It’s true that we’re constantly going through changes here at the News; that’s just the nature of the business. What I can always promise you is that no matter what changes, our commitment to reporting the news remains as fervent as ever.

Subscribers, thank you for making us your number one source for all things San Benito news. After all, no one does it better.

To our loyal advertisers who invest their hard-earned dollars and trust in our publication, thank you for continuing to stick with us.

Take note San Benito CISD educators, administrators, staff and Board of Trustees; City of San Benito employees and elected officials, and the men and women serving the San Benito Police and Fire Departments: we’ll be watching you. Also…thank you for your cooperation. And to those who didn’t cooperate, I say thanks, anyway.

On a separate but equally important note, I’d like to leave our local governing officials with a bit of advice. About a week ago, a certain fellow who I thought was my friend engaged in a silly Facebook flame war over the validity of the city’s motives behind holding a prayer service for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. They’re “piggybacking” on others’ grief to get good publicity in the newspaper, he accused – rather foolishly, I might add. As his inane ramblings became more and more incoherent and inappropriate, going as far as to sarcastically, and spitefully, suggest that the city send a giant Hallmark card signed by the city officials and citizens who attend the prayer service, I disagreed so intensely that I went as far as to refer to this fellow in an unflattering manner. Let’s just say his name ain’t Richard. As a result, I might have lost a friend I’ve known since I was 11, but I felt it was more important to defend people who I’ve had my share of disagreements with, because it was the right thing to do.

Folks, do the right thing when you make decisions that impact the entire community. Do not feel obligated to any friends or to a cause if it means doing the wrong thing. I realize my story pales in comparison to the decisions you make every day, but great things can come from the tiniest of examples.

Read this story in the Dec. 26 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.