January 2, 2014 at 12:44 p.m.

Looking forward to it


By J. Patrick Reilly-preilly@thedodgevillechronicle.com

Refections.....
It is time to say good-bye to 2013 and hello to a brand new year and I am looking forward to it.
I am not saying that 2013 was not a good year because in a lot of ways I enjoyed it, both personally and professionally.
I am saying it because when I was growing up I never thought anything about the turn of the century let alone getting 14 years into it. I guess that is just part of growing up.
Back then I also never thought people would be reading books on tablets, by passing the post office by sending email or having a phone that is supposed to be smart. I also had no clue that people would stop talking to each other, instead using a keyboard on their phone to send an instant message.
Technology is a wonderful thing in most ways. We are saving paper by placing things in electronic files on our computers. We have access to a wealth of information just by looking. We have social media where we can instantly communicate with friends and enjoy the good things they post that happen to them.
On the downside we are seeing book stores going out of business, the post office failing financially and passing the problem onto people who still believe the post office is necessary. We see some of the worst crap you can imagine, along with the worst language used on social media.
My biggest fear is that people will stop talking with each other, instead just using technology to visit. In the past few days I walked by people I knew and people I didn't know and wished them a Merry Christmas. The return on that was about 90%. Maybe they didn't return the greeting because I am scary but I couldn't help wondering if I had texted them would they have responded?
One of my goals this year will be to use the spoken word and personal contact better. I will email and text but as much as possible it will be to give updates and provide information. The personal side of my life I want to do over the phone or in person.
Another goal is to keep bringing you the news each week in a truthful and professional manner. We have the staff to do it and we will. We need your help, though, to keep us informed of what is happening in your area and what would be a good feature story.
And for you baseball lovers....I will see you on the diamond,

That said, I can say I am looking forward to 2014.
Happy New Year!!!
DODGEVILLE

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