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When the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service launched nearly eight years ago, I couldn’t have guessed that this project would quickly become a labor of love for me and our amazing staff of part-time professional reporters, web/social media directors and interns. Although many things have changed over the years, our passion to provide a more complete and balanced picture of the city’s central city neighborhoods than is available in other media has only intensified.
During my tenure, we have published thousands of stories focusing on the neighborhoods’ many strengths, as well as their sometimes-daunting challenges. Thank you for telling us your stories and allowing us to share them.
NNS has won numerous journalism awards and our articles are republished by respected local outlets and news organizations throughout the country. But I am most proud that in a small way, we have contributed to changing the narrative about city neighborhoods and the people who live in them. It has been an honor to do this work.
Beginning Feb. 1, NNS will be in the highly capable hands of Ron Smith. I wish Ron and the staff the very best of luck, and I know they will take the organization to even greater heights.
I will close with one of my father’s favorite quotes from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: “The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on.” It is time for me to move on, and for NNS to carry on.
Sharon, You have helped Milwaukeeans to know and appreciate so many more stories and to understand ourselves and our city better. You are leaving an important–and much-needed–journalistic legacy for MNNS to continue building upon. Thank you and all those with whom you have collaborated.
Thank you, Sharon! As a newcomer to Milwaukee, the stories that NNS shares have helped me to feel connected to what’s going on in the city and to feel more at home here. Best wishes on your next step!
What an extraordinary founding editor you have been, Sharon. You have done a fantastic job making NNS an indispensable source of news about the city of Milwaukee, and it has been a pleasure having you as a colleague in the College of Communication at Marquette. Thanks and congratulations.
Congratulations on launching and running a vital outlet for news in Milwaukee. Yes, NNS covered the stories the mainstream overlooked or touched much too lightly. Enjoy your next chapter.
Sharon, good luck and enjoy the future. I thank you much for your work. I enjoy getting my MNNS articles and appreciate reading many of the wonderful stories. I especially enjoy the stories about every day individuals unknown to the Greater Milwaukee area public and the way MNNS spreads the positive story of those working to improve Milwaukee. Thank you for bringing a voice to people with their rich stories.
Thank you for your journalistic contributions, Sharon. Milwaukee has been better covered because of your commitment to serving all of its neighborhoods and its people.
An enormous ‘YES’ to the mission of NSS and your skill and passion for moving forward. Thx
Sharon, thank you for all the ways you implemented the NNS vision of changing the narrative about Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. Thank you also for opening the door to my becoming one of the NNS community voices. Best wishes to you in all your future endeavors.
I have lived in the Near South Side since 1979 and I remember when something good happened in our area or the central City we were always told “But you will; not hear about it.” Thank you for telling about them.
Thanks again for your initiative and leadership in bringing neighborhood stories to a broader audience, lifting up stories of collaboration and love, and helping readers understand challenges facing our communities and methods for addressing the challenges. I am super-grateful for your work!
Thanks for having given us such a great resource. While I have no doubt that Ron will continue building on what you brought us, know that you will be missed. Best wishes for the next chapter.
Thank you a thousand times over for giving this one small voice an opportunity to make a very loud noise regarding my community Borchert Field. You shared, supported and celebrated what we had been trying to tell others who only had a narrow perception of the area we call home. You gave us a platform to speak truth when other media outlets wouldn’t and for this I am forever grateful. God bless you my friend.
Thank you all so much for your kind words. This is a very difficult job to leave!
Sharon, Kudos to you. Thanks again for taking a chance on me. I learned a lot from you and this amazing staff. Take some time to enjoy not rushing to catch the train and snuggle your grandbaby! All my love.
Sharon, your work has made Milwaukee better. Thanks for your dedication, leadership and perseverance.