Milestones
– By Dallas Hyland –
In the course of every facet of a profession, there are what one can call milestones. Points, where one can reflect on the distance, traveled from whence they started and what has occurred over a given period of time. For the Independent, this is a noteworthy one.
For twenty-five years, this publication has been contributing to this community a broad and diverse spectrum of news, commentary, entertainment, and advertisement in print and online. It has been a relevant icon in Southern Utah and beyond. And its iconic nature begins and ends with Josh Warburton, its founder, and sole publisher.
I had the privilege for the better part of a decade to be a part of the Indy’s trajectory serving in roles over time from regular columnist, opinion writer and editor, photo editor, and eventually editor at large. Perhaps you’ve seen me here over the years.
So when Josh phoned me a couple of weeks back to share the news of this landmark, and ask me to contribute something to commemorate it, I was nothing short of delighted. Having been for several years on a regiment of producing content on a weekly and monthly deadline, it should have seemed a routine task but I will admit to you that it proved to be a little challenging. Besides congratulating my publisher and friend for a job well done and a legacy that will outlive him through the body of not only his work but the work of all who contributed to this rag, I did not know if I had anything noteworthy to say.
This is what I’ve got.
When the founders of this nation were forming what would become our ethos as a people via the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the subsequent amendments, there came with great wisdom and prudence the first and likely most important amendment of all, aptly named the First Amendment. The freedom of speech and freedom of the press were, are, and will indelibly remain the most core staples of our constitution as a free people that without them, our nation will not endure. The fourth estate of government is the invaluable element whereby an outside group of citizens take on the charge of holding this country’s elected and appointed officials accountable for how they carry out their duties and govern a free people. Done right and well it is a noble task the likes of serving in defense of our union and without it, all of our other freedoms are quite literally indefensible. An informed populous is necessary to a free one. And a free, unhindered press in all its facets is the pinnacle of said freedom.
And at the heart of the Independent, in spite of all odds and hardships, Josh knows this and holds it dear. For a quarter of a century, he has spearheaded a publication that sought earnestly to be the “voice” of the people of Southern Utah and beyond. I am not only honored to have played a part in the evolution of this paper but to also call him my friend.
Congratulations Josh and the Independent for the work you have done and continue to do. I look forward to the next chapter. I truly do.
See you out there.
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