During my short time working at The Leader, I’ve come to learn a few things about myself.

One of those things is this: Journalism is no longer a good fit for me.

Examining this truth, I find that I identify as a writer and artist who enjoys telling stories — but not as a newshound. Those are two different things.

This community is truly passionate about its local newspaper, and the paper will best succeed with a newshound at its helm.

Effective today, I have resigned from the editor’s role to resume my arts career. I will remain in Port Townsend, so you might see me around.

I’m excited to welcome Meredith Jordan as The Leader’s new managing editor. A resident of Oregon with a long history of news experience, she is coming here from a paper in Alaska, ready to meet you and steer this ship forward.

Jordan is a career journalist who has worked for a wide range of daily and weekly newspapers, wire services, magazines, and digital-only operations. She spent 20 years as a working journalist on the eastern side of the country, then moved west to write about the movie industry, which led to her authoring two books. (Her most recent is “Top Gun Memos: The Making and Legacy of an Iconic Movie,” exploring the largely under-reported crews of working Hollywood.)

Eventually, Jordan teamed up with a small group of journalists and educators to develop “Press or Media,” an effort to clearly delineate the mission of the press — as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and evolved through the court system — from the bulk of more amorphous media in operation today.

“It’s local news, and places like The Leader, where the core values of traditional journalism are most visible,” Jordan said.

She officially begins on site at The Leader this week, and will relocate to Port Townsend in mid-April. 

Until next we meet, be kind to each other. Thanks for reading.