A Very Nice Job.

It was about 20 years ago - going on 21 years ago.

My West Sherburne Tribune at Big Lake was short a staff writer and I placed an ad in the paper, asking curious people to contact me. 

After a few weeks, I received a call from a fellow out at Silver Creek.

He identified himself as Ken Francis and he was up front - he wanted to know more about the staff writing position - but he wasn’t so sure he had the experience I was looking for.

Ken, a native of Jersey City, NJ, had cut his editorial teeth writing text for medical journals across the harbor in New York City.

Nope, I thought, I was sure it wouldn’t work. 

But we talked for some length and I suggested if he’d like to give it a try, he could attend a few meetings, sports events, public affairs and cover them with pen and camera and shoot them back to me. 

“And we’ll go from there,” I remembered saying.

(The position was general assignment reporter, which meant he could be covering everything.)

And - that he has done for the past 20-plus years. Sherburne and Wright county government, the local hospital board, Clearwater city and township, Big Lake school sports, reunions, community celebrations, pet and bike parades.

He particularly enjoyed (or non-enjoyed) coverage of some of the Big Lake school sports.

Ken, a semi-professional baseball player and New Jersey High School high jump champion, would come muttering into the Tribune office about how some coaches should be coaching.

One offended coach took the time to suggest to Mr. Francis from the Tribune he’d best stick to his duties as sports reporter.

But you know what? If the coach might have listened to the upstart Tribune staff writer, he’d might have had the play to win the game.

I remember the accolades Ken received for his years of coverage of Sherburne County Board meetings.

I also remember attending county meetings in Ken’s (vacation, or illness) absence. They told me they really liked Ken’s coverage - of his fairness and ease of read with difficult issues.

Which brings me to the most important aspect of his relationship to me as writer and editor.

Ken Francis has been the most sure, most accurate, most fair staff writer I have had in my 41 years of local editing. I have had many wonderful staff writers; Ken stands out among them.

And he always had a smile on his face, to go along with some dry humor.

Farewell, Ken. I wish you and Rita and family well. And, find another writing job.

You’re good at it.