Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/144898
Given the revenue losses newspapers nationwide have faced, staff reductions have been understandable. However, one bit of evident downsizing that never has made sense to me has been the loss of copy editors. As much as I love to edit copy — yes, I really do! — I still miss things. When I am figuratively wearing my reporter's cap, I am prone to leave out a word here and there or not think about background information I should include in an article, leaving puzzling gaps. Fortunately, we have an excellent copy editor in Vicki Chatley. Behind-the-scenes people at most publications never get the attention they deserve, but Vicki really should be in the spotlight every week. Sometimes she and I laugh after an issue is "put to bed," because she had me scurrying around to fill in holes so you, our readers, would not have to scratch your heads over them. This was one of those weeks when some things just did not make sense, so Vicki kept after us until they did. In the end, you have much more in-depth stories to savor. All that being said, you will find greater diversity among the topics Vicki worked through this week — from former Sarasota GOP Chairman Bob Waechter's legal woes to city officials scrapping over the proposed budget to new development planned for Sarasota County. Oh, and there is plenty happening again on Siesta Key — from serious county and FEMA code violations to more vandalism in endangered birds' nesting areas. Editor and Publisher