FROM THE PUBLISHER
Growing Up

Fueled by motivators inherent in entrepreneurs, at its core, ‘change’ inspired the birth of The Nantucket Independent almost five years ago. The desire for change on a personal and professional level was exceeded only by the desire to seek change in the way news was delivered on Nantucket.

I’d been there before – seen it work. I’d shared a dark, musky, “clubhouse” of a space with others who had called the Beacon their own for so many years. And then — gone.

They were still here in 2003 — banging nails, driving taxi cabs, doing whatever it takes to call Nantucket “home.” It could work, again, it really could. And, it certainly did.

Mary Lancaster, Peter Brace, Rob Benchley, Michael Galvin, Rose Gonnella and James Cennamo – all Beacon alumni – sought the change, saw the possibilities, believed in the vision, and they too risked everything that first summer to make it happen, again.

We were a group of individuals more intimate with notebooks than with spreadsheets. And in September that year, the Gods of change delivered to us the numbers man, Dan Drake.

Over the years since, we’ve been showered with the accolades of industry peers — over 50 newspaper awards, including New England Newspaper of the Year finalist four years in a row. That’s nice, but not what I am most proud of.

Former working relationships have been resurrected and individuals have once again been empowered to do what they do best – listen, research, write, inform and connect with the community.

I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work with a dedicated staff and alongside Mr. Drake, to whom I, and all who appreciate this newspaper, owe a debt of gratitude.

By offering readers an alternative information source and businesses a viable resource, The Independent has been and will continue to be essential.

John Steinbeck said: “Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.”

The seeds of The Independent, sewn in a pursuit of change, are now rooted in Nantucket. Nourished by the resources of its new steward The Independent will flourish, as will the spirit of what it stands for, lit from within each individual who perseveres to carry on the tradition.

 — Don Costanzo