Moving Forward
The past month has been a difficult one for us at 250News, and for the region at large as we deal with the passing of Ben Meisner, the captain at the helm of the 250News ship.
I was not only Ben’s wife, I was his business partner, and as most know, we built 250News from the ground up together. This independent news site, which has become the most read news source in Northern B.C, will continue, that is what Ben would have wanted.
We have a strong team here, one I am proud to consider family and when difficult circumstances arise, family steps up to the plate. That is exactly what Greg Fry, Don Hawkins, Michelle Cyr-Whiting, Peter Ewart, Shirley Craig, Stan Kuzma and Dennis Chapman did. They dug a little deeper, and worked longer hours to ensure 250News delivered on its promise to be your voice. I am so very grateful for all their hard work.
Together with Ben’s family, I would like to pass along our thanks for all the support the people of this region have given us. Your words of comfort and overwhelming support have been both deeply appreciated and humbling.
Ben was a man of his word, and I will give you mine. 250News was shaped by Ben, its reporters mentored by him, and we will strive harder to bring you the stories Ben would want us to , in his words “get to the bottom of”. As was the case when Ben was with us, we will work hard to advocate for those who feel they have no voice, or feel they just aren’t being heard and we will face those stories with the same tenacity and determination Ben exhibited throughout his life.
So while our beloved Captain may be gone, this ship is not rudderless, it has a course to follow, one that was laid out by Ben. We will remain true to that plan.
While the wind may have changed, we are readjusting our sails and we will move forward.
There may be some rough seas ahead, but 250News will weather the storm, and we will all be better for having ridden it together.
-Elaine Macdonald-Meisner
Comments
Hello Elaine, I am glad to hear you will be staying the course with 250News, and continuing the important service your and your team provide allowing a medium for peoples perspectives in the city of PG and region. This has had to have been a most difficult time for you, more than I or most others would have had to deal with… I sincerely feel for your loss, and I know you will have future success that adds to your life experience… I think I speak for many when I say we will always try to compliment your efforts in making the direction a positive one for all.
My main concern is if 250News ever changes hands I would hope it stays a community based media website, rather than selling out to conglomerates or large consolidation type of ‘synergy’ movements. One thing that makes 250News what it is is the large support of the community and the independence of 250News ownership from MSM consolidations. That independence in and of itself enriches our community and country through the diversity of perspectives that it enables.
We are all very grateful for the team pitching in like they have. I’m sure it has been a difficult month of all of them too.
We will continue to support you however we can. I think most of us out here, really value this site and would hate to see it change.
No wonder it is the most widely read- its a REAL news site.
Ben and you have built a beautiful ship here, one that many others admire but haven’t duplicated at all.
We all hope it will stay as it is for many, many years to come.
Excellent news Elaine, this the first place I come to for news, the only one I trust.
This is my first ever Post to this site but, I read every article and every comment every day. Elaine you and Ben ran and you continue to run a first class News Service. After reviewing my e-mail, this is the first site I visit every day. I am extremely glad that 250 News will continue on in spite of the loss of Ben. Thank-you for your good work past and future.
There isn’t a day that passes where I don’t check 250 news at least once. I’m happy to hear that it will continue.
Good to read you are still standing . Losing someone close is the hardest thing there is . 250 is a very big area . Thanks for including the coast as well from time to time . We know all too well how tough it is to sail close to the wind .
You can proudly carry the 250 flag forward Elaine, in honor of Ben and your excellent work the both of you brought to us all ,
thank you
Thank you, Elaine.
metalman.
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