Maybe now Gary Ott can get a good night's sleep

The Midland Reporter-Telegram reports that editor Gary Ott is retiring after many years on the job. So at long last maybe he can get a decent night's sleep.

Some years ago he wrote about a sleepless night and a lonely drive in the wee hours along the streets of Midland looking for some sign of life, some human activity of any kind. He eventually came upon an open diner where he established human contact. About that same time I was trying to follow the Spurs in a playoff series and was hoping for the score of a late game in the morning paper, but instead there was a two word review: "late game." A cynic might have been been tempted to suggest that instead of cruising the streets Mr. Ott should have gone to work and put the scores in the paper.

More recently he wrote about another sleepless night, but this time he watched TV during the time everyone else was snoozing. See it over there on the right, it's not online. This time the cynic might have been tempted to suggest that he go do some homework on the city budget during those sleepless hours instead of admonishing citizens to do it. But that's for the cynic to say, not us. We mean only the best for Mr. Ott.

Gary Ott will be missed by a lot of people, and his fans will wish him the very best in whatever he does next. As for the sleeplessness, there may not be much comfort in knowing there are 11 kinds of insomnia. But all we can do is sincerely hope that Mr. Ott can get a good night's sleep.

And if he's looking for another day job, here's a tip: Forget the day job and apply for the graveyard shift.

Meanwhile, back at the newspaper, they'll want someone to fill the editor's spot. Could there be a better choice than Stewart Doreen?

Comments

[Jeff]

Nothing against any of the candidates ... but it would be hard for anyone to take Gary's place. He's a first-rate newspaperman. Having worked as editor of a small-town weekly, I have more than a little appreciation for the years of work he put in - at all hours - as editor of a big town daily!

[Geo]

I bet you could tell some good newspaper stories, Jeff.