Publisher’s Perspective: Time to Pass the Baton

Publisher’s Perspective: Time to Pass the Baton

TomDyerHeadshotI’ve commandeered this space to share that this will be my last issue as Watermark’s publisher. Going forward, former chief financial officer Rick Claggett will oversee newspaper operations.

It’s a selfish decision on my part. For the last 20 years, I’ve operated a busy law practice and a deadline-driven newspaper. Shifting gears throughout the day—with each meeting, appointment, phone call and email—is taxing. I’m used to it, but the newspaper—and the vibrant local LGBT community—deserves a focused, full-time publisher.

Both also deserve a fresh perspective. I reckon I’ve been to more than 100 Pride events, and too many Gay Days parties, TIGLFF films, political fundraisers and community board meetings to count. At editorial meetings I’ve questioned more than a few good story ideas because they felt familiar. After 20 years, how could they not?

The pace of news coverage—and the competition to be first—has also changed in ways that run counter to my deliberative consider-all-the-angles process. TV news, daily newspapers and even alternative weeklies used to pretty much ignore the LGBT community. Now we risk being scooped if stories aren’t posted immediately. Once launched, that story gains new life on social media that requires further monitoring.

When I started the newspaper in 1994, with a paid staff of two and $25,000 borrowed from a dozen supportive friends, we had a luxurious 14-day news cycle. If there was an election or court ruling or scandal, we almost always had at least a few days to consider the implications. We felt the pressure during that final 24-hour pre-deadline shift, when I’d move back and forth between the editing desk and the drafting table to cut and wax ads before pasting them onto each page. But if a story made waves, they usually calmed to ripples before the next deadline.

That’s not to say we weren’t tested in different ways. When we ran out of money to pay for printing our fourth issue, I borrowed it from a loan shark that operated out of the Thornton Park building where we rented offices. And when we expanded to Tampa Bay in 1995, the delivery person I’d lined up bailed without notice. I loaded up my van, bought a map and found my way to 50-plus distribution sites from Brandon to St. Pete Beach to New Port Richey.

Anyone who’s ever started a business knows that you have to be willing to do what it takes. The knowledge that you will—no matter what—is your strength and only security.

I’m enormously proud of 20 years of editorial content—news coverage, features and interviews—that has informed and advanced our LGBT community. For more on that turn to page 27. But as owner and retiring publisher, I’m just as proud of the way we’ve weathered some daunting challenges to become a strong, stable pillar of that community.

There was no money those first years. I borrowed Peter to pay Paul until Beach Ball provided unexpected resources in 1998—its second year. Building on the success of Beach Ball, we launched an event planning component in 2001. The first three events—all expensive—were scheduled right after 9/11. I sold Beach Ball to cover the losses. When the recession hit in 2008, we lost a third of our advertising—all real estate—overnight. We cut our staff almost in half, and Rick and I did double duty at reduced pay for the next six months.

After 12 years with Watermark, Rick has earned this promotion. He started as a part-time administrative assistant and immediately became the person that filled every void—and there were many back in 2002. Since then, he’s been by my side every step of the way, always willing to do what it takes.

Rick’s driving now, and I expect him to hit the accelerator. With the support of editor Steve Blanchard, online editor Jamie Hyman, creative director Jake Stephens, advertising sales director Mark Cady and a talented and experienced staff of 12 in Tampa Bay and Orlando, the newspaper is poised to shift into a higher gear. I thank Bill, Sam, Danny, Heather, Kathleen, Samantha, Patrick and Ed for giving me the security to step away.

There are too many others for me to thank in this space: initial investors; early contributors who came to my rescue and gave the newspaper personality and depth; writers, photographers, artists and designers whose talent far exceeded our pay scale; sales associates who represented the newspaper with professionalism; and the many advertisers who supported our vision.

I’m not going away. With some distance and an invigorated outlook, I hope to circle back around with the occasional opinion piece, feature or interview—possibly even a blog?

In the meantime, please toast with me: to an amazing 20 years.

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