The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Thanks for the memories
Dan DuChene
PUBLISHED: January 10, 2008
As I head off for merry old England next week, tomorrow will be my last day at The Ypsilanti Courier.
Advertisement
I have been writing for this paper since April 2006, and have enjoyed every minute. As an Eastern Michigan University Student studying political science and journalism, this post is something many people in my position would envy.
With two important local elections, an infamous murder trial, two active and developing downtowns and two quality school districts both in financial constraints, my time here has given me the experience of a lifetime. This is coupled with the technical experience I've accumulated by performing various duties at the paper. It will be important for a writer to know how to take pictures, videos and function on the Internet as well as construct a story in the coming years.
But aside from on-the-job training, the Courier has given me the opportunity to become more familiar with the community I live in.
I now have an appreciation and dedication for Ypsilanti that I never thought possible.
Looking back at my first years at EMU, I laugh because I only liked Ypsilanti for its proximity to Ann Arbor, how I could get to the Fleetwood Diner without having to start my car.
Now, I'd rather hang out at CafÈ Luwak or Pub 13 and only find myself in Ann Arbor when work requires. I'd rather browse around Fast Eddie's for guitar strings than Herb David's.
When people talk about my city and call it "Yipsilanti," I get annoyed. When people refer to my city as a suburb of Ann Arbor, I get upset.
My understanding of these issues, and my subsequent response is how I know I am an Ypsilantian and always will be.
Someone once told me their thought of Ypsilanti and I couldn't agree more, "Ypsilanti is like Ann Arbor back when Ann Arbor was cool."
I appreciate our independence, our uniqueness, our culture and our realness. These are qualities slowly going by the wayside in favor of Wal-mart, Starbucks and shopping malls. A trend the people of Ypsilanti notice and combat.
The first stories I covered when I began here are starting to wrap themselves up. The income tax debate is over, Willow Run teachers have a deal with the district and most of the fallout from the December 2006 death at EMU has passed. However, there are a couple issues I will keep an eye on during the next five months.
I'd like to be able to catch a Liberators' game at Water Street when I come home. I'm interested to see where the regional police study goes. But, most of all I'd like to hear something—anything from the U.S. Department of Justice about the June 2006 death of Clifton Lee Jr.
My plane takes off Monday from Metro. And, after a short layover in Dallas, Texas I'll be in the U.K., ready to start the semester at the University of Derby in the Midlands of England.
I'm sad to leave The Courier, but look forward to my experience in Europe.
I'll be back in Ypsilanti before June, and I'll be sure to check out the city in the headlines. Just be sure to check me out on my new blog, Danarchy in the U.K.! Readers can stay in touch by checking out my posts at www.danduchene.blogspot.com.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
TOP JOBS
