I wrote my first column for The Tidewater News, at least the first one I was paid to write, on Nov. 21, 2010, and in the three years since I have probably written a hundred more. Yet in all that time I don’t think I’ve ever come close to missing my deadline. Until today.

I’ve gotten a pretty good routine down for writing my columns. I usually have my topic worked out a couple days in advance. I usually know what I want to say, or at the very know least the direction I want to go in. I usually sit in the same chair in the same conference room, because it’s usually the only quiet place I can find to work in our building. Once I sit down and start writing, I can usually finish in about an hour or so.

Today is different though, because today I am writing my first column as publisher of The Tidewater News, and the words are a little slow to get on the page.

Since the first issue was published on Oct. 20, 1905, The Tidewater News has been an integral part of our community.

Like most community newspapers, this one has been the community’s personal diary for over a century. It has been the community’s water cooler, a place where ideas and viewpoints are freely discussed, shared and debated. It has proudly announced triumph and gracefully reported tragedy. It has documented the lives of those who live in this community from birth to death and all the events that make up a life in between. For 108 years, The Tidewater News has had the privilege of being Western Tidewater’s newspaper of record, and by the grace of God will be for 108 more.

In all that time, only about a half dozen individuals have enjoyed the responsibility of being this newspaper’s publisher. Which I suppose is why the words are coming a little slowly today.

It is an unbelievable opportunity to be this newspaper’s newest publisher, and I know the responsibility that comes along with it is great. Steve Stewart, Haynes Byerly and those that have been the previous caretakers of this newspaper have set the bar for excellence awfully high. I will work hard to live up to their expectations, and yours as well.

TONY CLARK is the  publisher of The Tidewater News. He can be reached at tony.clark@tidewaternews.com.