| MORRIS NEWSPAPER GROUP |
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| Sunday, 22 February 2009 19:00 | |||
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Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Last week, the news actually made the news in Nepean–Carleton. I learned last week that my good friends at the Manotick Messenger, the Morris group of newspapers were up for several awards at the OCNA. Best newspaper for the Manotick Messenger; OCNA Columnist of the Year for Jeffrey Morris—he’s also nominated for OCNA reporter of the year—and best editorial in the Barrhaven Independent. But they also made the news last week because they lost their advertising executive who’s a very close personal friend of mine. As Mr. Morris, the owner and publisher of the Morris group of Newspapers said, “The celebration is somewhat hollow without Glen Dicks here to share it with us.” Dicks, who was the Independent’s advertising manager until he went on medical leave in January passed away last week at the age of 48. Glen was a part of everything we did. He was heavily involved in the community, and he was the one who gave us so many leads or acted as a sounding board for us. I can attest to that. Glen campaigned for me in two elections. But he was also the type of character we all have in our ridings who knows everybody, attends every community event and always brings a camera. About a month ago, Glen stopped into my office. I didn’t know he was sick. He hid it from all of us because he was so active in the community. He was apparently at the time on medical leave, but didn’t want to let me know that and it was the last time I saw him. He was bringing in the community newspapers, which he had done every Friday for the past three years. So to Glen’s family and his wife, Debbie, at this time and all of the staff at the Manotick Messenger, Barrhaven independent and the other papers of the Morris group of newspapers, I want to send them my condolences in what must be a very stressful and strenuous week and also congratulate them on the wonderful awards they are up for. Thank you.
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