Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine announced this week that in honor of our publisher Jerry Robinson's birthday April 6 that they have officially declared April 6 as Jerry Robinson and Robinson Newspapers Day in King County.
Robinson purchased the White Center News in 1952 and later came to acquire a chain of weekly newspapers from Ballard to Burien. He bought the Ballard News-Tribune in 1993. The newspapers have won numerous awards and have been the training ground for many journalists around the region.
Robinson, now 93 years old remains, a vital part of the company and regularly writes for the publications.
If you'd like to offer your congratulations or wish Jerry a Happy Birthday please do so in the comments or via email to our Managing Editor Ken Robinson at Kenr@robinsonnews.com
The text of the Mayor's proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, like many others during World War II, Jerry Robinson found himself contributing to the war effort by moving to Seattle and working for Boeing; and
WHEREAS, the layoffs that came after the war forced Jerry Robinson to rely on his hard work and resourcefulness to piece together a living by cleaning oil stoves, digging ditches, and decorating department stores; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson soon found his way into the newspaper world, where his work ethic combined with a passion for community engagement, writing for and selling the Kent News-Journal before buying the White Center News in 1952, at the age of 31; and
WHEREAS, from one paper, Mr. Robinson went on to found a dozen others, employing four hundred people across Puget Sound and starting the Rotary Offset Press, at one time the largest user of newsprint in the state for a non-daily newspaper; and
WHEREAS, these papers balanced serious, hard-hitting reporting with local interest pieces, providing a sense of community by encouraging readers to focus their attention on how larger stories affect them and their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, the Robinson newspapers have continued to evolve alongside the publishing industry and continue to provide an important voice alongside the larger daily newspapers and other types of Media;
NOW, therefore, I, Mike McGinn, Mayor of the City of Seattle, do hereby proclaim April 6, 2013, to be
Jerry Robinson Day
In Seattle, and I encourage everyone to go into the day with Jerry's favorite phrase in mind, that "maybe something good will happen."
-Michael McGinn, Mayor of Seattle
The text of the King County proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, Jerry Robinson will celebrate his 93rd birthday on April, 6, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Jerry has published an award-winning group of community newspapers, including the Ballard News-Tribune, West Seattle Herald/White Center News, and Highline Times/ SeaTac News/ Des Moines News for decades; and
WHEREAS, he remains a vital and a contributing community journalist; and
WHEREAS, Jerry has made countless contributions of time, money, and publicity to community organizations and causes; and
WHEREAS, he is an irreplaceable community asset; and
WHEREAS, Jerry sets an example for us all on how to remain a contributing and connected member of the community well into our senior years.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dow Constantine, Executive ofKing County, do hereby proclaim April, 6, 2013 to be
Jerry Robinson & Robinson Newspapers Day
in King County. I encourage all residents to join me in celebration of this day and to express our gratitude for all that Jerry Robinson and Robinson Newspapers have done to benefit the communities they serve.
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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