A Well Deserved Tribute

While criticizing the media seems to be a popular pastime these days, I'd like to buck that trend. It's been hard not to notice the exceptionally fine work of our region's local reporter and columnist, James Mason. After all, it has been on display week after week in this newspaper since Mr. Mason arrived on the local scene about one year ago.

Although reporters always have choices about which stories to write, many seem to dwell on the negative far too often. Positive stories about events in the region have an uplifting effect on all the readers, in my opinion. It seems to me that Mr. Mason has regularly chosen the path least traveled by journalists - the positive path.

And if your path has taken you to the many events that dot our calendar - conferences, high school sporting events, assembly or school board meetings, dogsled races, or even a hot run of sheefish - you have probably crossed paths with our local reporter. He was there taking notes, interviewing folks, snapping pictures and just visiting with people, enjoying life in the Northwest Arctic.

I know many who have been impressed with his humor columns that regularly appear in the Arctic Sounder. We could all relate to the snow machine that was reluctant to start and all the other insights to local living. I often thought to myself, after reading those articles, that Mr. Mason is really enjoying himself here. He appreciates the same little things in life as those of us who have lived here our entire lives.

Many of his photographs are among the best I have seen in any newspaper. I've noticed many of them clipped from the paper and hanging in the offices of my staff. The "Reflections of Spring" photo in last week's paper, with the man carrying his catch of sheefish, was extraordinary.

From our perspective here at the Borough offices, his coverage of our programs and activities has been very helpful in "getting out the word." Publicity creates interest and involvement throughout the region.

The life of a newspaper reporter can often be relatively thankless, but I hope many of you will take a moment to let Mr. Mason know that he is a highly valued asset of Kotzebue and the entire region. Good journalism is a great public service, and no one in Alaska is better served in that regard than we are. Thank you, James.