When I told my girlfriend of three years that I wanted to write a farewell column to the reading public of The Acorn, she called the idea “ridiculous,” even “unprofessional.”

“Do you think anyone really cares that much about you leaving that they want to read about it in the paper?” she scolded. “I mean, you don’t see columnists at other newspapers writing farewell columns every time they decide to take a new job. How lame.”

Then she hit me with that one piercing question all Southern California newspaper employees dread to hear.

“Do you think they’d do that in the (Los Angeles) Times?”

I shook my head and said back in exasperation, “It’s different. You just don’t get it.” And she doesn’t. But it’s not her fault.

You see folks, my girlfriend—a fellow Pepperdine grad—is a reporter in the fastpaced, efficiency-driven world of the daily newspaper, where deadlines are deadlines (meaning you’re dead if you don’t meet them) and most writers are so overrun with responsibilities they can’t afford to invest too much into one story.

Therefore, we must forgive her for her comments and for not understanding the unique relationship that exists between the publication and the public in the world of the community newspaper.

In this world, the line separating reporter and reader is more blurred, whether it’s meant to be that way or not. We are servants, not dictators, to our readership, focused on reminding the community that there’s pertinent news going on every day right in their backyards.

Goal No. 1 is still balanced, accurate and objective reporting—that doesn’t change—but rather than bring the news to the community, for the most part, the community brings it to us.

That’s why most employees of The Acorn live in the coverage area they serve, why their children use the schools, play the sports and do the things we write about.

It’s why you can call our office at almost any time of the day, except Wednesdays, and talk at length with any of our editors. It’s why we take comments and e-mails so seriously, and why in this day of endless newspaper consolidation, we stick to the motto: stay local or perish.

And, in a round-about way, it’s why I’m writing this farewell column. Because I’m not just leaving a job, I’m saying goodbye to a community.

Over the past year and a half I feel like I’ve developed friendships with the many of those I’ve written about—from coaches, to athletes, to parents—and it truly saddens me to move on, whether opportunity is knocking or not.

I’m not ashamed to admit I spent half my time being a sports reporter, and the other half being a fan. Because I get to root for many teams instead of one, I’m bound to win somewhere.

Call it unprofessional or not— sorry David Lassen—but I’ve been known to cheer in the press box when the teams I cover are playing the schools that I don’t.

I celebrate not with an obnoxious outburst, but with subtle gestures and a nodding of the head that I can’t hold back. These kinds of things are a big “no-no” at a daily paper, but don’t seem so bad when I tell people, “Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m just from The Acorn.”

Since the day I arrived I’ve been enamored with how much this part of the world cares for its students and athletes. Sure, sometimes it’s a bit obsessive, OK, a lot obsessive, but the fact is parents here want the very best for their children, and it’s hard to fault them for that.

This fact is what made me so passionate about my job and so committed to give The Acorn’s loyal readership (you know who you are) the best sports coverage we could muster. I wasn’t always perfect—far from it— but I leave knowing I never settled for anything less than my best effort.

To all the people who took the time to talk with me, thank you. To all those whose names I flubbed or left out, I am truly sorry. This community never hesitated to let me know when I was at fault, but was even quicker to let me know when I had done something right.

So my girlfriend and the rules be damned, I guess I did write a farewell column. I just hope you guys understand, and I think you will.

If anyone is interested in contacting me in the future please feel free to reach me at kyle.jorrey@gmail.com.