Harden Murrumburrah Express writer Jody Potts has confirmed that she will be leaving Australian Community Media to take up a job with Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, as ‘media person’.
Potts told readers in today’s Harden Murrumburrah Express that this would be the ‘last time I will write for you as a journalist’
Potts said she had done her best to ‘record the stories of our community in an unbiased, un-sensationalised and honest way’
The report did not detail who would take over from Potts, who worked from a home office in Harden.
The Harden Murrumburrah Express merged with the Cootamundra office in 2012, approximately 7 years ago, leaving a shopfront empty in Neill Street.
Only last month did the Yass Tribune also shut their office and make an offer to the community to meet in the local library for a number of hours.
Twin Town Times spokesperson said, “The Times will continue to deliver local news and plenty of it, as it has for the last 6 years. We aim to place about 30 stories or pieces in the Times each week. Our writers can contribute anywhere from 12 to 20 stories each week and our community backs that up with their valued contributions. You throw in the media releases from government agencies and some weeks we run out of room. The landscape is changing with technology but we have always provided free content online, unlike the former Fairfax publications.”
The Times recently took on Nyssa Stadtmiller as a cadet for a 12 month period. Nyssa said, “I grew up here and I know the area really well. I am really enjoying writing for the paper and it has been a great experience. It has allowed me to start raising our family where I was raised. Our last print product will be on December 19 this year and we will return in the new year. I will continue to write stories alongside our other writers over the break and they will be uploaded to our website and Facebook page.”
The Times spokesperson said, “The Times has always done its best to inform readers, especially when it comes to local government matters. We are fiercely independent, we don’t have to toe any company line. Our interests are in seeing our readers and residents informed and our local business community going forward. That is the role of a local newspaper. The current times with the drought are challenging for everyone. We look forward to the communities continued support. We will continue to support those who support us. We will seek more transparency from Council and other organisations in town who claim to represent the community. Knowledge is power and everyone should be playing on a level field.”
