Page One

I am not the editor of a newspaper and shall always try to do right and be good, so that God will not make me one. 

- Mark Twain 

Dear Reader, 

Many years ago, the day before the editor of my high school newspaper was to be named, my journalism teacher took me aside. 

“You understand, we need to pick someone who can set type,” she said.  

These were the days when boys took print or auto shop and girls baked cookies in home “ec.” 

“So Richard Schmorleitz will be editor. Don’t worry, you’ll be his assistant,” the teacher concluded.  

So here I am with a second chance. Though I’m minimally conversant with the digital tools to put the Planet together – we are completely computerized and, in fact, looking for someone who wants to design pages and copy edit – I’ve accepted the task. 

The job is likely to equal some of the daunting challenges I’ve faced – hitchhiking through west Africa by myself, teaching horseback riding when I knew nothing about horses, singing in nightclubs, teaching disabled children in a culture that cherishes bodily perfection…. 

After facing the greatest challenge (and joy) of my life – raising a child without a partner or a village and often on less than half a shoestring – I figure I can do anything, even master page design. 

“Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” a friend just completing a book e-mailed me, congratulating me, sort of, on the new post. 

And I know you, dear readers, will help me – pointing out every headline you hate, noting that pedaling is not peddling, that stationery isn’t stationary… 

On a more serious note, your support for our no-longer-fledgling community paper has been overwhelming and has sustained me over the 14 months I’ve been with the Planet. 

In addition to your support, another unique and exciting part of being at the planet, is the commitment of the paper’s founders and, in particular, publisher Arnold Lee, who insists upon recognizing and honoring that sacred wall that divides the advertising functions of the paper from the editorial side. You won’t find our advertisers boring their way into our stories, unless they are newsmakers in their own right, or making decisions about stories to be spiked or moderated. 

Looking ahead, as we add staff – and, again, we’re looking for experienced reporters -- we will be going deeper into neighborhoods, delving further into our diverse social, religious and cultural institutions; we’ll look at business and employment trends in our city, do more interviews with local writers and reviews of local authors’ books.  

We plan to get more of your voices onto our editorial pages. 

There’s another way I’d like you hear from you. I plan to run well-written first-person stories, 750-1,000-word slices of Berkeley life written by those you know and love (or hate or whatever) this city. This will begin as soon as I get viable submissions. 

As for city government, the “buzz” won’t die. While making every effort to fairly portray all the varied facets of our debates, and, generally, not taking an editorial position on them, the Planet will take a stand and shine a strong bright light on city government, relentlessly calling on our city mothers and fathers to conduct business where the public can see it and participate in it. And the Planet will play a role, providing as much information as we can, enabling your involvement with the city, schools and more. 

So, I hope, dear readers, you will embark on this second-chance adventure with me, continuing your supportive missives, your thoughtful critiques and, perhaps my favorite, your powerful insider tips. 

See you around the Planet, 

Judith