Newspaper reporter

Looking for a newspaper reporter with experience; someone who may have once did this work and is now retired, or wants to come home to West Springfield. Local news is still strong and we need to get it out to the residents of this town, and in print. As a newsperson, the idea of covering Town Council, School Committee, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings doesn’t scare you — you’ve done it before, and you don’t miss the news at these meetings — a key vote, while seemingly understated and shrouded by the arcane process boards must follow, will not be lost to you, and your story will not be chronological in terms of the action at the meeting, but will start with the biggest news first; and you know that to stay on top of things — to anticipate events and to help map out your own path of inquiry — you cultivate sources, which is as simple as showing up and chatting with town officials [including the mayor, council and board members, police officers, firefighters, administrative staff (probably the most important of all), and educators], before and after meetings and being friendly and open to conversation. Photography skills a plus. This is not an entry-level job; you have to have done this work before.