Publisher invites readers to reception

Green Valley News

Members of the community who wish to say goodbye to outgoing Green Valley News Editor James Bennett are encouraged to drop by the newspaper’s office for a reception Thursday.

Publisher Pam Mox has invited readers to come to the newspaper’s office in the Green Valley Mall between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Bennett has been editor of the Green Valley News since 2006. He will be leaving for a job in North Carolina after this weekend.

Among other honors, he won first place for best opinion column in the Suburban Newspapers Association Editorial Contest in 2007.

Mox praised Bennett’s tenure, saying, “James brought us the kind of experience we needed at a time when we were expanding in the Santa Cruz Valley and continuing to improve our Sahuarita and Green Valley coverage. We have prospered in recent years. We wish James well in his new endeavors.”

Before coming to Green Valley, Bennett was editor of the The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale. He was assistant sports editor of The Arizona Republic and the Charlotte Observer and sports editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson earlier in his career.

Starting Aug. 18, Bennett will be managing editor of the daily Independent Tribune in Concord and Kannapolis, N.C., outside Charlotte.

A search is underway for a new editor.

In his final column in Sunday’s Green Valley News, Bennett said of his time here, “The opportunity is wonderful for me personally and professionally, but I leave this week with mixed feelings. I’ve grown attached to the unique, passionate people in the Santa Cruz Valley, so it’s hard to disengage after nearly two years of sharing your joys and sorrows.”

He praised Green Valley for: its 90 percent voter turnout rate; the volume of interaction between the editor and residents, who make their voices heard by writing letters to the editor and commentary pieces for the newspaper; the voluntary activities of service clubs, and the spirit of compassion exhibited by churches, charities and individual volunteers.

“I am going to miss the daily interaction I’ve had with readers of the Green Valley News very much. I’ve worked at newspapers from Miami to Seattle and Phoenix to Charlotte during a 30-year career in the media, but I’ve never met readers more interested in their community than you.”

Those who cannot visit the office Thursday may contact Bennett through Saturday at jbennett@gvnews.com or 547-9770.

pfranchine@sahuaritasun.com | 547-9738