South Cobb Patch Founding Editor Says Farewell
This is not goodbye, it's "see you around."
Well, South Cobb, this is my stop. I’m stepping off this train, but it’s been an incredible ride these last couple of years. I’m heading over to Brookhaven Patch.
I will truly miss reporting on this community and seeing you all around. I loved that I could go almost anywhere in South Cobb, and I’d know several people. It’s an incredible feeling to know so many wise, passionate and positive people who believe so strongly in the potential of their own community and work to improve it.
I’ve poured my heart and soul into this site, often getting discouraged, but not enough to give up on you. This was my community, too.
I worked long hours, running from here to there, conducting interviews, attending meetings, manning booths at community events and just being there to report what’s going on in our neighborhoods. I answered your calls, emails and Tweets sometimes at midnight, and even on the weekends.
But what always amazed me was that as hard as I was working, you all were working twice as hard. I was doing my job, and sure, I don’t know where South Cobb Patch ended and I began. It became my lifestyle, not just a job. But no matter where I went, what I was covering, I’d see many of you there at the meetings, in the community, being superstars dedicated to being the change you want to see. You did it in addition to your jobs, in addition to attending the PTA meetings, in addition to dropping the kids off at basketball practice.
South Cobb, you inspired me.
Not only has this position as South Cobb Patch editor made me a better journalist, but it’s made me better in general. You helped me prove to myself that I can do more than I thought I could. For that, I want to say thank you.
I always knew that I wasn’t doing this for me. I was doing this to provide a service for a community that wasn’t being listened to and one that needed a place to sound off on our community’s issues. I did it because I truly cared and wanted to know what was going on in my own community.
I still want to know what’s going to happen with the Riverview Landing development, how the Mableton Form-Based Code will help redevelopment, what steps the City of Austell will take to fill the many vacancies in its downtown including the boarded-up building facing its main street, what will happen with the Murdock shooting case and if the crime rates in South Cobb will continue to decrease.
In my two years here, I’ve seen neighbors unify, host community meetings, research and speak out to successfully shut down a waste transfer station that was illegally taking in municipal solid waste.
I witnessed a woman being told that her brother had been killed and my heart shattered. At that same scene, I talked to neighbors who told me they had to joke because for them, this was life. When the cameras and police went home, when the yellow caution tape was removed, they'd remain. It was a powerful revelation.
I covered a party where a South Cobb resident announced her candidacy. Her father described her as a “difference-maker.” Driving home, I called my father and told him I didn't think there was any better way that someone could be described. It struck me to the core. I don’t know what my legacy will be, and I’ve often asked elected officials here what they hope theirs will be.
I hope that in these last two years, I was able to make a difference with South Cobb Patch. You all made a difference for me.
I hope you all continue to use South Cobb Patch as your community resource by posting your events or letting everyone know about your church's great news or your daughter making honor roll in the announcements. If you have something to say, say it. Just post it on South Cobb Patch, and please keep the dialogue going.
See you around!
Angela Cato
6:49 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri -- South Cobb Patch won't ever be the sane. I have truly enjoyed your writing and your tweets. You have been a strong advocate for the communty and I, as well as many others, will feel the loss. My hope and prayer is that you continue to do what you love and that you find success in doing it. Good luck over at Brookhaven Patch!
repubnut
6:50 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Ms Walton- You will surely be MISS !!! God Bless You as you travel to a different assignment and I can't see you EVER failing in any endeavors you take on... Again , THANK YOU FOR all of your work in the South Cobb area ...
Ivory Dorsey, Speaker, Facilitator, and Author
6:55 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Why leave?
Stephanie Dixon
8:26 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri I have read the stories you have posted here in Nashville and have enjoyed them. I think that you are great and not just becaus I am your Mother. Take care and be blessed wherever you are.
Kiri Walton
8:32 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
This cracked me up, Mom!
Albert
8:44 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
"You never miss your water until the well runs dry!" I've got so much of my community news from the South Cobb Patch. I've met so many community leaders because of the Patch. My attention was always drawn to the news alerts that came into my email box.
I personally do not want Kiri to go, because her talent and passion will be sorely missed in the Mableton area, But growth is a product of change. I want to see Kiri grow. I can't wait to see Kiri, on CNN :-) As a community we have to find a way to attract and keep talented people in our community and schools.
We must continue to support and uplift the work Kiri has acheived in the South Cobb community. She really have open our eyes to ourselves and given us a voice to make a change.
Thank You Kiri.. May God continue to bless you abundantly.
John A Delves
9:03 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
OK Kiri, so Brookhaven gets to read your commentarys and we dont.
I will continue to strive to keep stories of general interest in the airways. Go with god speed and blessing.
Who knows, I might get promoted too.
John D
Dave McDaniel
9:21 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Thank you, Kiri, for your tireless efforts. For sure, South Cobb Patch won't be the same without you. Best of luck to you.
Pam J
9:30 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
It's good to know that Kiri is just going to another Patch website. She isn't gone for good. She appears to be a beautiful girl and I know it's not easy maintaining some of these stories and their comments. The MDJ had the same problem until they started charging for looking at their website more than nine times. All companies that set up Facebook pages run the risk of nothing but negative comments being posted (look at the Georgia Lottery Facebook page on any given day). While I believe it is great that people have an avenue to vent their frustrations or just meander down the road of life, it's got to be tough for the companies. The Patch websites are great in that they report local news and let people just take off. It's invigorating most of the time, just completely frustrating others. Good luck, Kiri. I'm sure you will see some of us on the Brookhaven Patch!
Tamisha Peterson
9:31 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Gonna miss you, Kiri. You're the greatest. Good luck in your endeavors. You're a very hard worker and deserve all the best!!
Valerie Testman
9:34 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri, you did a great job reporting on our South Cobb community while keeping us informed. Thank you!
Lorien Trapani
9:48 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Best of luck and many blessings to you in your future endeavors, Kiri. It has been an honor to know you and see all that you have done to help improve communication in our community. You will be missed!
Andrea Young
10:23 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
We will miss you! Best of luck.
Kimberly Richards Smith
10:26 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri, we will miss you here in South Cobb. I appreciate how thorough you've been in keeping us informed about what's going on in our community and how we can get involved. You have made a difference and I'm sure you'll continue to make a difference wherever you go. I wish you all the best!
concerned citizen
10:32 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri,
Thanks for reporting all voices in the South Cobb community. Your tireless efforts to dig deep to tell the whole story makes you an outstanding journalist.
Greg M
10:45 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Well hate to see you go you have done a great job covering interesting stories and even reporting fairly on them all even when I knew they probably weren't something you supported sometimes. Best wishes and God Bless Kiri!
mmmurphy
11:00 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kirii,
It always saddens me when the one who sows the seeds of progress and change is not around for the harvest. The best is yet to come because of the fire and awareness
that you ignited.
I wear a size 13 shoe and I would not even be able to fill your shoes or your footprint
in the matter that you handled your business and uplifted the community. All the
best. God's speed. May the wind stay at your back and fill your sails. Rignt on, Sista.
C. Vinson
11:05 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri you are going to be missed. I started reading South Cobb Patch because I would see you out and about at community events. This Patch helps keep South Cobb residents connected. It's gotten heated in the past few days (LOL), but at least it's a way for us to communicate. Both your smile and your articles will be missed. Job well done - Cheryl
Just A Grunt
11:33 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
I hate to see you go. I have enjoyed our communications and more importantly your seemingly tireless efforts to update stories, make clarifications where needed and your interaction with the readers in general. I wish you the best in your new endeavor and who knows maybe somebody else can step up and fill your very big shoes as editor of this site.
David Welden
11:39 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri, you got the South Cobb Patch rolling and then nurtured it to become a news source respected by many, including some of us from outside the District. Thank you for all of your dedication and creativity.
I hope you continue to meet with good fortune in the years ahead.
Hunt Archbold
11:47 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
Well done Kiri! A job well done ...
Larry King
12:12 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
You done good and will be sorely missed.
K. Howard
12:27 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri- you have taken what seems like the county's underdog area and brought so many things to light. I love getting your late breaking news flashes. Just wished we had been giving you accolades all along. Best wishes and good luck. I hope this isn't the demise of South Cobb Patch.
L A Hays
2:33 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Thanks for all your work on making this site I now visit daily. You've laid a solid foundation for your successor. Brookhaven Patch is lucky to have you.
Cheryl Mayerik
2:42 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri, I have so enjoyed working with you. You are an amazing woman who I just know will do great things in the future just as you have here in South Cobb. Your tireless passion for engaging people was a joy to watch and an inspiration to all. Your professionalism set the standard for all who follow you. Best of luck in all your future endeavors!
Cheryl
Rich "The Equalizer" Pellegrino
4:08 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri, for once everyone on here is in complete agreement--you are great and will be missed greatly!!! (and I know that many feel the same as Ivory..."why leave" :-).
Pam J
4:57 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Who is going to be the new editor? You are showing up as the new one on the Brookhaven page already. Does anybody out there want to deal with us?
Lisa Cupid
5:26 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Kiri, thank you for giving our area a voice, credibility, a way to connect with each other, and a way to connect to the events of our community. Also, thank you for always being there for all of us and for being willing to step outside of the realm of passivity to enlighten, comfort, and challenge us. The world is truly ahead of you. Please stay strong, encouraged, and most importantly you!
Monica DeLancy
5:46 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Great Job Kiri
Mark
11:00 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
You're the Peyton Manning of Patch-Atlanta!
Kiri Walton
3:36 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Wow, I am so moved by all of your words! Thank you all, and I will miss you! You haven't seen the last of me, South Cobb! :)
Claudette Clarke
8:48 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
I want to echo what everyone has said about how much you will be missed. You were an integral part of the improvement of South Cobb. Thank you and Godspeed on your new endeavors.
Leo Smith
8:21 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Kiri's a great professional who genuinely cares about South Cobb. I am sure she'll do a great job in Brookhaven and beyond. Thanks for your service Kiri. Blessings on your path!
Charles Black
5:50 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I will miss you
Jacob
12:22 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Riverview development might be a long wait..Talked to one of the folks from Green street properties and they sounded vey pessimistic. They are not even planning to do anything for the next 18 months
Kiri Walton
7:22 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Wow, that's very interesting. If I was still editor in South Cobb, I would definitely be giving them a phone call. I was interested to see if it'd be annexed into Smyrna.
Pam J
9:10 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
What?
Jacob
9:15 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
what?