Lisa Sygutek
Dec 18, 2024
As we publish our last issue of the year, I find myself reflecting on what has been an incredible and transformative 12 months for the Pass Herald.
The year began much like any other. With our seasoned staff in place, we were rolling along in our 84th year of business, a milestone that solidifies our place as the second-oldest business in the Crowsnest Pass. From a business perspective, everything was humming along.
Personally, I was in the second year of my term as President of the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, a board I’ve been on since 2019. It’s been an honour to serve in this capacity and advocate for our industry, but little did I know how eventful the year would become.
The turning point came in the summer when everything seemed to shift. On a personal level, my son Quinn graduated, marking a bittersweet milestone as he prepared to leave home. I jokingly say I had a small nervous breakdown as he embarked on his new chapter. To celebrate, we travelled to Greece, a memorable gift for his achievement. Shortly after, work took me to Belgium, Holland, and Prince Edward Island, and as I write this editorial, I’m in Istanbul, still managing to put out the paper.
This brings me to one of the year’s most significant changes, transitioning The Pass Herald to a fully remote operation. Thanks to Vern Harrison (the computer whisperer), this shift was surprisingly seamless. While working remotely has meant long hours, I feel I’ve become more efficient, embracing the flexibility to work smarter rather than harder.
On a broader scale, we’ve made headlines for leading the first-ever class-action lawsuit against Google. Our efforts have inspired other countries to take similar action, and I’ve been invited to speak at conferences to share our story and encourage others to stand up to the social media giants. I look forward to continuing this advocacy, with speaking engagements already lined up in Mexico and Florida in the new year.
From a community perspective, this marks the final year of my eight-year term on council. It has been a rewarding experience, despite the occasional criticism from a small but vocal group. Together, we’ve accomplished so much to improve the community, from the near-completion of the Bellevue Revitalization, a project that has been met with daily praise, to exciting developments like Crowsnest Crossing, which will soon welcome our first Dairy Queen. By 2025, we expect new foundations for a second grocery store, along with plans to revitalize Gazebo Park and the Hillcrest Ball Diamonds.
The overwhelming success of the coal vote also brought our community closer together. I look forward to advocating for Grassy Mountain with provincial and federal leaders and sharing our vision with other communities.
On the home front, my boys are thriving. Keiran had a fantastic spring/summer of work and is heading back to university to complete his degree. Aiden, now president of the Mining Faculty at the University of Alberta, will graduate soon and is exploring opportunities in Germany. Meanwhile, Quinn, in his first semester of engineering at the University of Alberta, has achieved stellar marks, though I wish he’d find a bit more balance between studying too much and not socializing enough. I couldn’t be more proud. I miss them all terribly but am excited to have them home soon.
Here at the Pass Herald, I’m blessed to work with the most incredible team. We’ve welcomed new talent, with Iryna joining under the mentorship of John Kinnear, our community historian. Tina has become more like family than a co-worker, while Nicholas continues to thrive in his third year working remotely. Meechi and Shirley handled circulation with care, and new team members John and Jordan have seamlessly joined our crew. Together, we’ve navigated challenges like the Canada Post strike, which pushed us to adapt. Readers have embraced our online edition, and I’ve even begun delivering papers to Pincher Creek, a stop that may become a regular part of our routine given the positive feedback.
I also want to acknowledge Randall, who is renovating our old office beautifully, allowing us to rent the back for circulation. Dave and John Vigna have been incredible landlords throughout this transition, and I’m grateful for their support over the years.
As we head into our 85th year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the businesses and readers who support this local newspaper. Your unwavering partnership ensures we can continue to document the history, past and present, of our community.
From all of us at the Pass Herald, Merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy, happy New Year. Here’s to embracing change, seizing opportunities, and continuing to grow together. We look forward to another 85 years of news from the Crowsnest Pass.
~ Publisher, The Pass Herald