We are over the top excited to announce that we, Greene Publishing, Inc., won 15 awards at the recent annual Florida Press Association (FPA) Convention.
The FPA awards, as they're known, recognize the best stories, columns, special sections, pictures and overall general content of all Florida newspapers. We are deeply grateful for this recognition – and for our shiny new trophies and certificates.
Several Greene Publishing staff members traveled to St. Petersburg, Fla. for several days to attend the many learning sessions and meetings that the Florida Press provides during the convention. Then, on Friday afternoon, we were excited to receive our awards for:
First Place – Editorial Award
First Place – Informational Graphic
First Place – Best Headline
Second Place – In-Depth Reporting (investigative)
Second Place – Breaking News Story
Second Place – Serious Column
Third Place – Best Sports Section
Third Place – Best Special Section
Third Place – Portfolio Photography
Third Place – Agricultural and Environmental Reporting
Third Place – Feature Story – (profile)
Third Place – In-Depth Reporting (non- investigative)
Third Place – Breaking News Story
Third Place – Humorous Column
Third Place – Reader Generated Photo
I, personally, would like to commend the staff we have at Greene Publishing, Inc. I know the heartfelt love for their job that each employee has and the dedication that each one pours into their work.
There are no 40-hour weeks and this is not "just a job." This is our passion; it is our love to tell the stories of our communities. We give our all every day. It is what is in our blood!
The press was given priority and tremendous responsibility by our Founding Fathers, who placed it in the First Amendment along with Freedom of Speech and Religion.
Along with our reasonability comes a lot of pressure. We are often deemed as the enemy. We receive more hate mail, nasty phone calls, and death/harmful threats than we do congratulatory statements. However, we can only stand by the statement, "We don't make the news; we just report it!"
We are not the enemy of the people.
Yes, we make mistakes; and when we make mistakes – we print them for the world to see. We then publicly correct them – once again for the world to see.
But, most importantly, we care. We do our job to keep our community informed. It's not about a paycheck! It's about loving our neighbors, loving our community, loving our country and knowing that an informed community is needed for our republic to survive.
We are committed to serving and providing the informational needs of our community; searching for new ways to serve our readers and strengthen our communities; helping boost the local economy through advertising and news coverage; spotlighting "mom and pop" businesses in order to reach more prospective customers; telling of the good news within the community – news of civic club fundraisers, church gatherings, little-league registrations, chamber of commerce happenings, students who make the honor roll, anniversaries and birthdays, and helping neighbors get to know each other better.
We also have the duty to serve as "watchdogs" to hold elected government officials accountable. We sometimes have to use public records requests in order to uphold the "Freedom of Information" so that our community citizens are kept informed.
We not only work here, but we also live here! We are your neighbors and your friends! We share your values and we love our community because we are a part of it! It is our passion to share the community news with its citizens!
Here at Greene Publishing, Inc. … we are more than just a newspaper – we are family! With a news staff of approximately 12 people, the work required to publish our community newspapers is a team effort.
Thank you, our dear readers, for your support! It is because of you that we strive to do better each and every day!