The Long and Winding Road

City Paper's longtime publisher says goodbye.

by Paul Curci

As I contemplate the span of my 27-year career here at City Paper, a flood of images comes pouring forth. As an alt-weekly that came of age in the late '80s, we used to kid that the paper was something we produced in between parties.

But I won't be sharing any of those memories with you in this column. Those are mine to take with me. There are plenty of other images of people and places that resonate — and that I can share.

Like seeing young interns develop, become staffers and eventually take on senior leadership roles at City Paper. Like partnering with fledgling young festival organizers and watching them grow their projects to become major arts festivals. Like working with neighborhood business groups to produce promotional campaigns and then watching those neighborhoods blossom into vibrant commercial corridors — and real communities. You get to see a lot over 27 years.

I remember a mother's heartfelt gratitude over a story we wrote about her son's untimely death, and the vindication that came when a certain state senator went to prison for the very things he sued us for reporting on, years prior to his conviction.

And then there were the edgier images, like an ad campaign by a local nightclub that so infuriated the Catholic Church, full-page apology ads ran the following week. Or the ads depicting the king of Thailand in hip-hop garb and full bling that nearly resulted in diplomatic sanctions. (That story was picked up by media outlets across the globe, including the Guardian in London.)

City Paper means a lot of things to a lot of people. Beyond being a credible, reliable and spirited newsweekly, there's a culture here — a culture drawn together around the belief that an informed citizenry is the key to preserving democracy, and to improving local communities.

If this is starting to sound like a swan song, well ... that's because it is.

After an enormously gratifying career at City Paper, I've decided to write a new chapter in the coming year. I'll be handing off the publisher reins to Nancy Stuski, our associate publisher, and trusting her to preserve the standard that's defined the paper for nearly 30 years. I can't think of a better successor than Nancy. We're different (she has great hair; I, alas, do not). But we share some core values. And those values are a good fit for City Paper.

As for me, my passion for organizational development, fueled by my experience working with hundreds of businesses over the years, has compelled me to move full-time in that direction. So, after the ball drops on Dec. 31, I'll take my leave and do my City Paper cheering from the sidelines. 

Needless to say, a lot of soul-searching went into this decision. But, I'm quite clear on several things: 1) The owners of City Paper are as thoughtful as they come; 2) the management team is stronger than ever; and 3) the culture at City Paper remains among the best there is. In other words, the staff really works well together.

And, with those things in mind, my decision was somehow made easier. Having those three assets in place assures me that the child I helped raise and nurture will continue to grow and find its way in the world. And so will I.

(paul.curci@citypaper.net)