When announcing big news this time of year, it’s always best to wait until April 2-just to make sure it’s taken seriously.
And so even though ownership of the Napanee Beaver was officially transferred on April Fool’s, the press release went out Tuesday. Just to reinforce the fact that keeping the Beaver locally owned is no joke.
When this proposition was first presented back in November I almost thought it was a prank. Owning a paper was never on my radar. However when the once-in a-lifetime opportunity came up, after the initial shock wore off, it was an easy decision. Having worked at the paper coming up 16 years now, I know first-hand the importance of having an independent voice in the community. We’ve always prided ourselves on sharing stories about this town that matter the most to this town. The good news with the bad-in the case of the bad, done so in such a way that it can hopefully set in motion a better outcome for the community. Not simply sharing gossip for the sake of clicks or only shining a spotlight on the town when something scandalous happens. That’s the difference of having a local news outlet with a vested interest in the betterment of the community.
Since its inception in 1870, the Beaver, first housed in Newburgh and known originally as the Addington Beaver, has been family owned and independent. Earl and Jean Morrison acquired it from the Templeton family in 1953 and it has remained in the Morrison family since then-until earlier this week. That’s despite several offers from larger corporations over the decades seeking to add it to their chain. In retrospect that decision to hold steadfast and not sell by Mrs. Morrison is a major reason why the Beaver remains active in 2024.
Helping to make the decision to take on this new venture was the fact there was already a great team in place. Jane, Diane, Lisa and Linda have all lived and worked in the community for years, all committed to keeping local journalism thriving in Napanee. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Deb, who is retiring after over 40 years of service with the Napanee Beaver. She will be missed, but she’s certainly earned a happy retirement.
A special mention goes to family and friends who have supported me as I learned the ins and outs of taking over a business. It’s been a lot of nights of spreadsheets and legalese, often interrupted by a seven-year-old or two-year-old that was ‘supposed’ to already be in bed.
Last but not least, there is the businesses and people of the community. Without their support, taking on this challenge wouldn’t be possible. As we’ve revamped our social media presence of late, the ongoing encouragement has been a huge boost. It’s no secret the challenges facing all Canadian media outlets these days-big and small. The Beaver has always been fortunate to enjoy strong backing from the community. As we double-down on our commitment to staying local we look forward to continuing-and expanding-that great partnership.
-Adam Prudhomme