This summer it will be 20 years since a group of publishers and editors returned The Aurora Sentinel to local control.
This week the era of local ownership turns a new page with the sale of the Sentinel and Buckley Guardian to Leap Media Partners, headed by experienced newspaperman James Gold under the new umbrella of the Aurora Media Group.
Jim Boone, a pioneering publisher I worked for, once said, “A newspaper is only in the stewardship of its owner for a while — it always belongs to the community.”
A whole lot of people spanning my four decades in the suburban newspaper industry have devoted much of their working lives being good stewards in getting you the news that hits closest to home.
Through snow storms — yes, I did once cross-country to the office where editor David Perry camped out for three days to be sure you had your Sentinel — power outages and attacks from politicians, The Sentinel never missed an edition even when a late game, slow election count or stubborn computer stalled a deadline.
From the Daily Fax to the Aurora Sun Sentinel to the Daily and Sentinel online, we have adapted to changing times, technologies and reading habits. The new owners are dedicated to advancing that process.
Among the folks who made journalism in Aurora better on my watch, allow me to mention a notable handful starting with my mentor Olen Bell, once the owner-publisher of the Aurora Advocate; former Sentinel president Tom Noonan, a founder of the Community College of Aurora; publishers Donna Shear and Karen Sowell Johnson; editors Ron Dawson, Jim Ayers and Tammie Tate and the editorial inspiration to many of us, Jack Bacon.
Award-winning editor Dave Perry, who followed Jack’s lead will remain, so that mis-informed conservatives (is that redundant?) will have at least one column to complain about.
For some time I have been saying the negotiations leading to sale are like docking a boat. Things happen slowly as you float toward shore, then suddenly you hit the dock and it’s time to step off. That time is now.
As news of the transition spread, I have been asked what is next for myself, and the honest answer is, “I don’t know.” My wish and bucket lists are long, and I suspect it will include writing, some consulting to the publishing industry with skiing and fishing mixed in for good measure. Seeing my daughter through her last years of college is high on the list, too.
Speaking of wishes, since spring training hopes are eternal, I’m thinking this could be the year the Cubs win the pennant; but with age comes some wisdom, and I won’t be betting that way.
As I approach five years from my allotted three score and ten, I am mindful that you think you are going somewhere, but the path leads somewhere else.
Wherever it leads I shall be thankful to the people of Aurora who have been supportive of The Sentinel and its predecessors for over a century as I am deeply grateful to all who worked on pages, page views and community projects that strengthened The Voice of Aurora.
It’ll dawn on you in these challenging times, the state of your newspaper is strong.
Your Aurora Sentinel is in good stewardship.
H. Harrison Cochran is the former publisher of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at hcochran@comcast.net
