To the Editor:

This month, Johanna Billings, editor of the Whitehall-Coplay, Northampton and Catasauqua Presses, is leaving for a new position and challenge in Bangor, Maine. (And she thinks it's cold here!)

Five years ago, I was looking for a new and effective way to market Coplay Community Days. That's how I met Regina Luciano, assistant display and advertisement manager for The Press. Regina liked the new look and direction Community Days was taking so she suggested I meet with Johana Billings, who might be interested in doing a story on the festival. The rest is history.

The town of Coplay and I were very fortunate to know Johanna. There is not enough space allowed here for me to mention the numerous organizations etc. that Johanna had done stories about, providing exposure and information for Coplay and its neighbors, which is the main reason we read The Press.

Then there is the other side when Johanna perhaps thought (OK did think) that sometimes (OK every time) I was being overly aggressive in pushing to have Coplay events and news covered. I even suggested The Press change the name of the paper to Coplay-Whitehall Press. We all know that did not work out. I explained, so she would better understand me, that as an elected official I work for 3,000 plus people and part of my job is making sure Coplay is well represented with the positives and not just negative articles that drag all of Coplay through the mud and embarrasses my hometown. She then shared with me a copy of an article for which she had been interviewed that appeared in the magazine for township supervisors. Its title was "Partnering with the Press" and is about working with the media. I found that very helpful.

As editor, Johanna has helped many families and organizations. If there was a fundraiser being held for a family dealing with cancer or the loss of a loved one I would ask Johanna if she would cover the event. But Johanna wanted more. She wanted to meet the families and do a story about the pain and effect it has been on them hoping their story would help other if even for a little.

Johanna Billings, we will miss you sitting at your desk covering Coplay council meetings. We will miss you covering events showcasing the pride and passion the people calling Coplay home have.

On behalf of all of us here in Coplay and our surrounding neighbors thank you and God bless. The people of Bangor, Maine, are getting a winner.

Steve Burker

Coplay Borough councilman