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Health & Fitness

Another Farewell to an Editor

Goodbyes are always difficult.

Recently some readers have been asking what happened to Paul. I am moving this post up to the homepage once again to answer that question.

When you stay in one place long enough, it is inevitable that you have to face transitions. So once again I must bid farewell to a Patch editor that has been a mentor and friend.

Paul Singley launched the Oxford Patch back on Nov. 16, 2010 and then took over the Naugatuck Patch a little more than a year later when Ronald DeRosa was promoted. I remembered Paul's byline from when he wrote for the Waterbury Republican-American and I knew that he would do a wonderful job of covering both Valley towns. As soon as he became the editor of the Naugatuck site, he indicated that he wanted me to continue my blog. He always encouraged me and even helped me gain access to other local Patch sites so that I could post information about upcoming theatrical productions on the sites closest to the venue.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Yesterday marked Paul's final day at Patch Media Corp. As of Monday, he will return to his former employer at the Rep-Am Wtby (Waterbury Rep-Am) in a new role called senior reporter/web advocate. He will work with their team of journalists on the print version of the paper while enhancing coverage on the web. Lucky for us, he will continue to cover the Valley with his primary municipal beat being Naugatuck. He will also cover local towns as necessary.

Paul writes that his departure has "nothing to do with how I feel about Patch - it has been a wonderful place to work. It has to do with the fact that this is a great opportunity for me and my family, and I once again get to work with friends and very talented journalists who I have truly missed for the past three years. I am looking forward to it."

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The past three years have been wonderful, and I wouldn't trade them." Paul continues. "I have met some amazing people and had the opportunity to cover some awesome stories; I also sat beside you as we covered one of the worst tragedies in American history, and the company was amazing during to us as employees during that time. Patch has some truly wonderful people, and I wish them well in the future."

In my opinion, Paul was at his best during 12-14 tragedy and I took the time to tell him so. In fact, one of the final articles that he posted on his last day is a beautifully written piece about the daughter of Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hotchspring that everyone should read.

Paul writes that at first he wasn't sure how the Patch sites would be perceived in our communities, but now believes that people have really taken to them in this area. I personally have seen some of my reviews widely read and shared. A few have even been quoted in the media and when I would proudly forward them my editor, he was always nothing but encouraging. "I have enjoyed every moment of this new media exploration," he writes.

It was always a pleasure to work with Paul. When Patch switched over to their new platform and an overzealous spam filter kept eating my blogs, Paul was ever patient. If I sent him a text about a breaking news story in Naugatuck, he always got right back to me. His photos will always be far better than mine. He treated me as a professional, despite the fact that I am merely a volunteer with lots to learn.

I am very happy that Paul will have this opportunity to do what he loves. If anyone can make a success out of this new position, he can do it with flair. I wish him and his beautiful family all the best. I will just miss him very much.

The Naugatuck and Oxford Patch sites will remain online. Anyone interested in applying for the job of editor for the two sites can contact regional editor Gary Jeanfaivre at gary.jeanfaivre@patch.com. I look forward to working with the new editor.

 


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