New editor issues call to readers: Let me hear from you

There is no replacing Fitz McAden.

Fitz, the recently retired editor here at The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette, was a crackerjack newsman, a tireless worker and a passionate advocate for the community. He was one of the key builders who made the paper you hold in your hands today a rich, vibrant source of news and information.

So no, I'm not the guy replacing Fitz. I'm just the guy who has the tough task of following his lead and continuing the legacy of great journalism here.

It is a challenge I relish.

I have used this comparison for many years, but it still rings true today. I think a good news report is like a good dinner guest: Interesting, entertaining and able to discuss a broad range of topics with depth and intelligence, all the while also being a curious, engaged listener.

Beaufort County is a special place, and we know you deserve and demand a lot from us. We will try to meet those expectations, regardless of whether you read our printed products or prefer to read us on your desktop, smartphone or tablet.

I will be using my first weeks to get to know our team here and to learn about our community and how best we can continue to serve it. As part of that process, we'll be asking you from time to time for feedback with informal surveys about how we're doing, what your favorite features are and how you think we can improve.

I also invite you to reach out to me separately if you would like to share feedback or story suggestions. Email is easiest for me, but however you reach out, I promise I will respond. We wouldn't be here without our readers, and I appreciate each and every one of you.

Executive Editor Brian Tolley can be reached at btolley@islandpacket.com or btolley@beaufortgazette.com. Like his Facebook page at facebook.com/BrianTolley00, and Twitter users can follow @tolleybri.

This story was originally published October 25, 2014 at 6:50 PM with the headline "New editor issues call to readers: Let me hear from you."