Well, I’m really not sure where to start. Although my connection to The C-P began very long ago, everything came rushing back to me two weeks ago when I suddenly encountered the opportunity to return and serve as publisher.
Since then, my life has been a whirlwind mixture of emotions (excitement, fear, joy, anxiety and disbelief). It still seems a bit surreal to be back in this office that holds so many memories, stretching back to when I started here 35 years ago.
I never dreamed my life’s journey would lead me back to this newspaper and open a new chapter that I never saw coming, so I’ve learned my lesson to never say never.
The totally random nature and by-chance circumstances that led to this opportunity are quite unusual. Some people might call it fate or destiny or karma or just sheer luck. I personally consider it nothing short of divine intervention and the reinforcement of my belief that some things are simply meant to be.
Some folks will remember me and others won’t, but that’s ok since my wife says I’ve never met a stranger. I’ve been described as somewhat of an optimistic extrovert (or, in other words, a loud mouth who always thinks the glass is half-full).
Although an unexpected career change in 1993 took me on a detour from the newspaper business, I never ventured too far away and I’ve always maintained Columbia as my hometown. While a lot of things have changed during the past 27 years, several things have remained constant, including the wonderful spirit, strength, generosity and courage of the citizens of Columbia and Marion County.
The high level of neighborly love and unification of efforts like Columbia Strong have clearly shown, time after time, what a great place this is to live. Despite having to weather more than our fair share of catastrophes, including tornadoes, hurricanes and now a viral epidemic, Columbia and Marion County continue to thrive, and it’s all because of our people.
Beyond a doubt, 2020 has already proven to be the most unpredictable and arguably the most challenging year in recent history. Nationally, we have encountered some phenomenal struggles and unprecedented issues all crammed into one year (and we still have another seven weeks to go)!
Most of these issues have been detrimental and have trickled outward into the very fibers of small towns like ours, so we’re all impacted to some degree. Unfortunately, we have no control over what’s thrown at us, but we can determine how we choose to react.
I believe The Columbian-Progress, like all newspapers and media sources, have a unique opportunity, but also an obligation and responsibility, to use our platform to serve our local communities in the most positive ways possible. Providing fact-based, unbiased local news will remain our core objective.
They say bad news always travels faster, and that often seems to be the case. One of my major objectives in my role as publisher is to continue serving as the eyes, ears and voices of our citizens and readers, but also to sharpen our focus towards the positive aspects of what’s happening in our area.
I plan to maintain a high confidence level in the integrity and quality of our reporting and advertising, and do anything I can to nurture healthy and respectful relationships throughout our community.
I’m so very proud, appreciative and humbled for this chance to serve such a great community and join the dedicated and capable team that has continued to keep this newspaper flourishing.
Ken Prillhart, my first newspaper boss and mentor, taught me early on that achieving success alone would be very difficult, if not impossible. He instilled in me the importance of surrounding myself with people who have “the right stuff.” Fortunately, I’m blessed to be in that very position with my staff today.
I’m extremely excited and anxious to dig-in and offer any possible assistance to our local city and county governments, law enforcement agencies, school districts, economic development efforts and all other aspects of our community.
In the coming days and weeks, I intend to get around to meet and visit with everyone who can spare a few minutes, and I look forward to catching up soon. Thank you!
Danny O’Fallon is the publisher of The Columbian-Progress. He may be reached at (601) 736-2611 or
dofallon@columbianprogress.com.
