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Free Presýs chanýgéshands After nearly 14 years at the belm of the Whitby Free Press, owner and publisher Michael Burgess put bis final issue of the paper to bed yesterday afternoon clearing the decks for new owners Doug and Susann Anderson of Whitby. Tomorrow, August 14, when tbe sale is officially closed, Doug Anderson takes over as publisher 0of the Free Press capping a deal tbat bas been under negotiation for nearly a year and realizing a dream e has bad for sometime longer tban that. In making the announ- cernent last week, Burgess said the decision to sell the paper was one that he made witb mixed emotions but which, in the final analysis, will prove to be in the best interests of the principals, the Free Press and its staff, and the many readers and advertisers wbo bave sup- ported the paper for so many years. "I've enjoyed my years witb the newspaper and I've enjoyed tbe newspaper business. It's been very rewarding to have met all tbe people I bave met over the years and I'm par- ticularly grateful for the support we 've received from our many readers, contributors and adver- tisers... "The paper bas corne a long way since its earlv days and I'm quite proud 6f that but I believe any. organization needs fresh blood from time to time to revitalize it and continue the pattern of successful growth, " said Burgess. While the paper was neyer actually -offered for sale, Burgess said be was approached by the Ander- sons at a time in his career wben he was becorning in- creasingly preoccupied witb other business in- terests. In recent years be said be bas become beavily involved in real estate and investment counselling to the point wbere he could no longer dedicate the' time and attention to the paper that be felt it deserved. He said be always believed that if the time came to seil the Free Press, tbe new owner would have to be someone with independent resour- ces, a proven committment to Whitby- and the energy and enthusiasm to continue the Free Press's tradition of community based jour- nalism. In the Anderson's, Burgess believes he bas found someone wbo fits the bil. Doug Anderson, until last week the chief technologist in tbe laboratory of Dr. J.O. Ruddy Hospital, Ws a former president of the Whitby Historical Society and bas lived in Whitby since 1970. Susann bas ived in Whitby since 1953 and worked for a number of years as director of personnel at the bospital. She also bappens to be the sister of this year's Peter Perry Award winner, Nigel Schilling. Altbougb bis formai training bas been in tbe sciences, Anderson said be bas pursued a broad range of interests outside bis career including bistory, culture, computers and borne renovations. Wben you add to this the fact that be is a keen observer of Wbitby and someone wbo, as president of tbe Historical Society, bas also found himself being obser- ved by the media, Anderson SEE PG. 30 1 y qU' / " aF The Whitby Free Press bas a new owner. Publisher Michael Burgess announced last week that he bas sold the paper to Doug and Susann An- derson of Wbitby. The sale will officially close tomorrow, August 14. In the above -picture publisher Michael Burgess congratulates new owner Doug Anderson. Anderson is a former president of the Witby Historical Society and until last week was the cbief tecbnologist in the, Yo,»Àti mrnâoi 32 Pages VU/ E Lt f-'" laboratory of the Dr. J.O. Ruddy Hospital. Susann Anderson bas lived in Wbitby since 1953 and worked for a number of years as director of per- sonnel at tbe bospital. The Andersons will be co- owners.. in making the announcement, Burgess said it was a tougb decision to seil but in the long run be felt new blood would benefit tbe paper, its staff and its many readers and advertisers. Free Press Staff Pboto 'A message from the publsher Saylng goodbye la neyer easy, and leaving the newspaperlIs like partlng wltha loved one. The newspaper bas been an. integral, enjoyable part of my 111e for nearly 14 years, and durlng those years I've done everything from dellvermng papers to writlng ates. And thls la the hardest story I've had to write. .Building a small cornmunity newspaper isn't easy. Edltoriaily you don't have the anonymnity of the large beauracrasy of larger newspapers. The politicians (or others) we crlticize one day will often be slttlng beside us at a private social function the next day. Nevertheless, to maintain a hlgh standard of editorlal integrity, wblch I've always tried to do, you bave to ceaU themn as you see themn and let the chips fail where they may., We bast a few frienda a when we fought to brlng a bus systemn to Whltby. We fought agaln to keepthe Whtby Police station open. We fought many ies over the years for things we believed Whitby needed and for many people and Korganizations who needed help in many ways... 0f- t.en with littIe or no thanlcs. But if you're a local newspaper with its.heart and soul in its community that's what you do. Speaking of poiticians, IVve seen many corne and go over the years. Some are good, some are not 50 good, but most are sincere in their efforts to make Whitby a better place to live. Most often overlooked is the town staff and management teamn which is one of the finest to be found In any municipality and un- fortunately sometimes bears the brunt of political errors. V've enjoyed worklng with themn over the years and 1 thank themn for their co-operation and support. There are a lot of people to thank, too many to namne individually... .but you know who you are. You've helped build what was truly a 'little paper' into what it la today...a community newspaper we can ail be proud of. But you can't rest on your laurels, and that's the main reason I'm turning the reins over. Organizations with the same management for too long get stale, and fresh blood la needed to re- vltalize them. This newspaper is no exception. Over the last few years, I have becomne quite heavily in- volved in real estate'and group investing and find that 1 have been unable -to give the time to the newspaper it deserves. The new owners wlll be able to do just that. Doug and Susann Anderson are local people who care about their community and have been strongly involved in tis town over the years. I feel cnnfident thev are capable of continwing the successful tradition of this newspaper. I wish thenr4 my best, and will assiat them to the best oi my abilities. To my famlily, our loyal readers, advertisers and contributors, (not to mention the best newspaper staff around), TI{ANK YOUI11 couldn't have done it without you. Best Wlahes, Michael Ian Burgess Publisher. Trio will stand trial for murder Three men have been ordered to stand trial on second degree murder charges in the death of an Ashburn man four years ago. Judge Donald Dobbs ruled there was suf- ficient evidence to try Fred Fisher, 32, of White Oaks, his brother Ralph Fisher, 33 and Donald McCoy, 36, both of Toronto, after a six- day preliminary hearing ended last 1 1, 1SEEG. 14 w Vol. 169 No.32 Wednesday August 13, 1986 97 mai