By Michael Glenn
If you’re reading this the minute this piece publishes, I’m probably very cranky, blasting music with the windows down to keep me up as I drive down Highway 50 to make it to the University of Kansas for my 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. move in time.
Gina and I had a dinner – McDonalds on 4th – Thursday evening where we caught up and reminisced about our time running the Tribune for nearly two years. McDonald’s easily made the most sense. We spent countless late-night hours discussing news stories, brainstorming ideas and utilizing the free wifi for a $5 meal deal.
There’s a lot of cardboard boxes loaded up in my car right now, ranging from my vinyl records, Funko Pop figures, posters, clothes and everything an “adult” is supposed to need to live on their own.
I had the opportunity to visit campus for an editor’s meeting with the University Daily Kansan, the collegiate publication I’ll be working with this school year. I had to park where I’ll be parking for the year, right by my dorm. It’s safe to say that I’ll be getting a lot of steps in this year.
This is the final column I’ll be writing as a full time reporter. You’ll still hear from me once a month through columns about my college experiences and thoughts, but my time doing what Gina and I started as a moonshot in July 2023 is over.
In my columns, I hope to be a voice for young people’s concerns about Hutchinson and help offer solutions or standpoints that may otherwise not be considered.
Growth comes with pain. It always does. While I was sad to see the Tribune go out of my and Gina’s hands into another, I’m fully trustworthy of the future of this company. I hope you have been able to see the amount of quality content and improvement Kansas Publishing Ventures is making to The Hutchinson Tribune. It’s been nothing but incredible.
I wanted to take an opportunity to say thank you, once again, to everyone who has supported the Tribune or myself throughout this journey. Whether you’ve been a subscriber since day one or just signed up today, your support means much more than you know. Every subscriber, every view and every click is one more step in the right direction towards a community that isn’t afraid to ask itself the hard questions, hold people accountable and make great changes that will improve the quality of life of its citizens for decades to come.
As I’ve said before, I believe that Hutch is in a crucial position right now. If we make poor decisions or keep selfish mindsets that only focus on temporary relief or immediate solutions, we will continue to stagnate and ultimately decline. However, if we invest in opportunities that make the City more attractive to college graduates, skilled workers and young families, we could see a revival.
It was disappointing to see a step in the wrong direction, as the Editorial Board wrote last Sunday, passed in a 3-2 vote at the Hutchinson City Council Tuesday night.
The “step” allowed a developer to only put in sidewalks on one side of the street. While relatively minor in the grand scheme of housing development, the principle of taking back a commitment and ignoring city code for development can be a slippery slope.
This type of reporting is exactly why Gina and I started the Tribune. Local journalism is more important than ever, and I’m thankful to have had your support throughout this time.
Thank you for making this opportunity possible for me. Without journalism, I wouldn’t have a college scholarship, a car or the opportunity to be a positive force in Hutch. You have helped make my life better and our community stronger.