Latitude
Is Far More Than One Person
October 22 - Mill Valley
For a moment I'd like to speak as Richard
Spindler, founder and publisher of Latitude 38, rather
than in the editorial 'we' commonly used in 'Lectronic and Latitude
38. I was the subject of a very flattering article by Dan
Fost on the front page of the Business Section of the Sunday
Chronicle, and was genuinely touched by the nice things
everyone - including competitors - had to say.
The only thing I wished could have made
it into the story were my comments about the terrific people
here that make Latitude a reality. Lest anyone get the
wrong impression, the magazine is the furthest thing in the world
from a one person show. I've always thought of Latitude
as an 'art project', so I've never had an employer/employee perspective.
As such, I take considerable pride in the fact that Latitude
has never had a time clock and I have no idea what hours - or
even days - people work here. Because everyone is so responsible
and does their job so professionally, it only makes sense they
should enjoy such freedom. In any event, this is the perfect
time to introduce the folks who make this 'art project' a reality:
Andy Turpin, Senior Editor, 8 years
Christine Weaver, Graphic Artist/Webmistress, 12.5 years
Helen Nichols, Bookkeeper, 5 years
John 'JR' Riise, Managing Editor, 18 years.
"Yes, we did receive your press release."
Mitch Perkins, Advertising Representative, 15 years
Rob Moore, Senior Editor, 15 years, modeling the 'Editing Crash
Helmet'
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Annie Bates-Winship, Darkroom Specialist - uh, make that Digital
Imaging Specialist - holding the cameras that have made the binders
of negatives obsolete. 7 years.
Colleen Levine, General Manager/Graphic Artist, 14 years
John Arndt, Advertising Representative, 15 years. Note the phone
set permanently attached to his left ear.
Linda Wood, part-time Graphic Artist, 10 months
Mary Briggs, Classified Manager, 3 years
Richard Spindler, Publisher/Executive Editor, 25.5 years
Photos Latitude/Annie &
Richard
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In closing, I hope the accompanying photographs
will once and for all dispel the myth that Latitude might
be some high falutin' publishing powerhouse. For more than 15
years, a large piece of wood resting on two file cabinets facing
a storage room wall - in a basement hallway, no less - was my
office. And it was just fine, for when you're putting out a magazine,
what counts is the results, not what your office looks like.
When we added a third editor, I got kicked up front. My current
office isn't luxurious - desk is a $22 Formica countertop from
Home Depot - or neat (see photo above right), but it's all I
need to do what I like doing best - which is putting Latitude
together with the rest of the team.
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