A goodbye — and a thank you

There’s no perfect way to say goodbye especially after spending such a short time with you all. 

Here in Riverdale, reminders of that service are never far away.

That’s how it feels to be moving on from The Riverdale Press, a newsroom that’s not just a workplace, but a special kind of place — an environment built on curiosity, courage, compassion and a deep belief in what community journalism can be.

Serving this community in the northwest Bronx, from Spuyten Duyvil and Fieldston to Kingsbridge and Marble Hill has been a very meaningful chapter in my professional life. I grew my career in a sports-centric market, focusing solely on how views can be gained. Coming into community journalism was both an exciting challenge and an adjustment. How can one shift their focus from Aaron Rodgers and football games to community board meetings or “No Kings” protests?

That’s what makes this community so special, though. And why I will always look fondly of my time with The Riverdale Press. Not only because of the stories we’ve told, but because of the people we’ve met: the readers who keep us accountable, the neighbors who trust us with their voices and the unsung heroes who remind us of what local news is really for.

This is a community unlike any other. It’s fiercely opinionated, deeply engaged and full of people who show up. In Riverdale, a block association is more than a mailing list. A civic group is more than a logo. And a local paper is more than just ink on paper or pixels on a screen — it’s a thread in the fabric of daily life.

The Riverdale Press has long understood that. For nearly 75 years, this paper has chronicled the big fights and the quiet victories — the zoning battles, the school mergers, the hospital closings, the bike lanes, the park cleanups, the protests and the parades. The fact that this was a Pulitzer Prize-winning publication was one of the first things that enticed me to the role. Learning the story behind that Pulitzer Prize victory only enhanced my passion to bring fresh ideas to the paper. 

That tradition continues today, thanks to a young staff that’s equal parts grit and passion. They are reporters who care as deeply about the community as the people they serve. If you’ve ever wondered whether local news still has a future, look no further than the people in this newsroom. They are the future. I am confident in the reporters, advertisers and photographers that continue their excellent work. 

And so, as I step down as editor in chief, I leave with immense gratitude — as well as a parting ask: Keep reading. Support this paper. Subscribe, donate and share. Come to a community board meeting because you saw it in the paper. Write a letter to the editor. Tip a story. Celebrate your neighbors in print. Hold the paper accountable. Champion it.

Because The Riverdale Press is not just a paper. It’s a promise — to listen, to inform, to serve.

And I will take all these wonderful experiences onto my next stop.