Hello Jasper!
My name is Jason Stockfish, and I am proud to say that I have taken part-time employment as a reporter and as an advertising sales representative with the Fitzhugh.
I have lived in Jasper for the better part of 23 years now, and it feels very much like home for me and my family.
Some of you may recognize my name from my recent run for town council in Jasper’s municipal election back in October.
Campaigning was a great experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the community and speaking with residents of Jasper about matters of importance to them.
However, after the election, I had a head full of ideas and energy that I had wanted to spend building community in Jasper that I just couldn’t let go.
When I noticed the job opening with the paper, I realized this was an excellent opportunity to stay involved with my community, to use my energy to accomplish some of what I had campaigned on (ensuring the priorities of the people are being heard being at the top of that list).
My intention as a reporter with the Fitzhugh will be to cover stories that champion and showcase local talents and local efforts of community-building. I will endeavor to highlight the issues
Jasperites deem to be relevant and important, and I will seek out the ideas, wisdom and will of the community to accomplish this goal.
I am a music lover, so expect to also find me reporting on our local music scene whenever possible. We have numerous local musicians deserving of exposure, and despite its remote location, Jasper is lucky to have many amazing acts performing in some fantastic local establishments.
This is not my first position as a reporter. After university I worked for the Prince Albert Daily Herald in Saskatchewan from 2010-2011. My main beat was city hall, but I also covered arts and culture, sports and editorial.
Being a reporter was a very rewarding position, and I am thrilled to be working in that environment once again.
I am fortunate to have Peter Shokier as an editor and publisher. Peter is a talented news writer whose hard work, knowledge and experience will be of significant benefit to me.
Thanks to Aberdeen Publishing and the federally sponsored Local Journalism Initiative program for making this position available.
Please feel free to share story ideas with me and to offer constructive critiques of my work.
I am excited to have this opportunity, and I look forward to reporting informative and entertaining local news to Jasper.
Here’s to 2022!
Jason Stockfish,
Jasper Fitzhugh
