To our readers:
Last week, my Mom, who was also my best friend, died. With the death of Kathy Feindt-Bailey, I lost one of the most influential persons in my life. She taught me a great deal of life lessons. Lessons including what it means to love and be loved unconditionally. My Mom was fair and usually kind with her words. Rarely was there judgment, but rather a dig for information so she could best understand any situation I found myself in and provide the appropriate motherly advice. Her most recent and final life lesson on loss is not one I am sure that I am ready to learn, but one that I must accept.
Along with losing my Mom and best friend, I lost an unabashed advocate. And, the same can be said for the Beaches. As a lifelong resident, and editor of The Beaches Leader for over two decades, Kathy Feindt-Bailey never took her role in the community for granted. She understood the importance of having a local newspaper to be a watchdog of local government for the citizens of the community. She also believed wholeheartedly that a newspaper is a “town hall” of sorts for all readers. Letters to the editor are published with the intent to have everyone’s voices heard and to get the community talking. Events are included to keep everyone informed and interested in the happenings of the community.
I was taught these lessons since before I could walk. I spent many of my adolescent evenings alongside her while covering council meetings and other public events. When I came on to work at The Leader three years ago, I was taught the tools of the trade. I spent many hours with my Mom discussing city matters and the role of journalists. Although we had our differences as you would expect from any mother and daughter, I am especially grateful for the last three years of memories created as I learned all that she had to offer.
Kathy Feindt-Bailey left large and distinguished shoes to fill. The Beaches Leader has always been for the community and will remain that way. My family and I are committed to continuing to publish The Beaches Leader with the same fundamentals that my Mom followed. I may not always do it the same way she would have, and I know there will be times I may not do it as well as she did. But, I am committed to you, our readers, and to producing a newspaper dedicated to the continual betterment of this community. I value your input and I invite everyone to let me know how I am doing by reaching out to editor@beachesleader.com or calling 904-249-9033.
-Aline Bailey
Publisher