Post Coffee with the Editor

I’ve only been the editor of the Santa Rosa Press Gazette and Crestview News Bulletin for a few months now and June 19 I held my first "Coffee with the Editor" at Mama Lattes, 5412 Stewart St. in Milton. I was nervous to do so, but it went better than I thought.

The purpose of the event, as I mentioned in the couple Facebook posts was to get some one-on-one interaction with the public in a neutral setting. Thanks to China and her diverse coffee shop for letting me try this out there, especially considering we had no idea how it would go.

First of all, apologies to those who wanted to come but couldn't make it because this took place during typical working hours. I'm looking to change that in the future.

I expected a lot of pressure from a lot of people especially in a small town with a lot of political heat.

This is mainly the reason I believe Milton Public Information Officer Pamela Holt was there, to hear any grievance someone might have about the city and offer data or a way to reach out to a department that can possibly help.

Plus, we’ve known each other before she took the job with the city. She was the Press Gazette editor when I started as a reporter. So I believe—a phrase I rarely get to use in print—she also was there as a friend, to see how this venture went.

I also thought I’ve had some people upset about what we did or did not share and maybe how big someone’s picture was in one issue versus the picture of the person they like in another.

The only other person to come to Mama Lattes specifically to see me was Betsy Dodson. She came to talk to me about First Presbyterian Church’s 150^th anniversary coming up in August. She told me how despite the small congregation the First Presbyterian members regularly do local mission work, getting their hands dirty for nonprofits like Family Promise, Santa Rosa Kids’ House and Vision of Hope.

I also met a couple relatively new to Milton who happened to be there having coffee nearby. I won’t give their names or describe them since their concerns regarded allegations against a particular state organization.

How befitting of Milton was this experience? I had the city with me and the church with me, and a little bit of suspicion to wrap things up.

I don’t know exactly when I’ll hold my next "Coffee with the Editor," but I’d like it to be in Pace. Where would you suggest, the Drowsy Poet perhaps?

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Post Coffee with the Editor