As the public face of a major newspaper I have interacted with a wide variety of people; from the governor of the state, to the mayors of area cities, professional athletes and coaches, business executives, activists, artists, social service and medical professionals, politicians and bureaucrats of all stripes.   The people I most enjoyed were ordinary folks who were not movers and shakers; people of various races and ethnicities who were likely never to have talked to a reporter. Many were poor, the working poor or the middle-class just getting by. Their educational levels varied. I have particular empathy for those who must deal with adversities including people with health problems, cultural and socio-economic issues, are victims of various types of discrimination and so forth. My strengths include being welcomed by and able to interact honestly and openly with all, from the governor on down, and to write about the issues that affec