Journalist Last Column

One of my college jobs was as a “gofer” for my hometown printing company. The owner/boss was Fred Dickey. I had various tasks that I was assigned. On Wednesdays, I would drive to a larger printing office in Princeton with the newly engraved plates for the weekly edition of the newspaper, wait for the run to be completed and then return to distribute the papers. I also babysat Fred’s children on week-end nights. Fred sold me my first car – Dodge with push button transmission (does anyone remember those cars?). There were enough redeemable bottles in the trunk to pay for the car (purchase price $20).

Fast forward to Anchorage – After teaching for 10 years, I went back to school and got a degree in Computer Science. Then I got my first job with a local company, Computer Consultants of Alaska (CCA). The company put a “new hire” announcement in one of the local papers. A few days later, I got a congratulatory call from Fred Dickey. He was now Managing Editor of the Anchorage Times.

Fast forward again to San Diego – We have been staying here on and off annually since we first discovered this park (Santee Lakes Regional Park) in 2008. The local paper is the Union-Tribune. Lo and behold, Fred Dickey had a weekly column about people around the San Diego area. I always meant to get in touch with him and reminisce about our history. When we got back here at the end of October, I noticed that his Monday column was missing. I soon discovered this, his last column. Since its focus is on the 1st Amendment, I wanted to share it and validate the author’s credibility! (http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sd-me-fred-dickey-20170920-story.html)

So, it really is “a small world after all”, just like the song says!

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

1st Amendment - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.