About the ECM Editorial Board
The ECM Editorial Board was created to generate periodic editorials of relevance to readers in all of ECM's newspapers and for visitors to the ECM Web site. Common editorials supplement the local editorials and columns already appearing in most ECM newspapers. Common editorials also demonstrate the breadth of coverage of ECM newspapers, now reaching over 130,000 Minnesota homes.
The Editorial Board is led by Don Heinzman, retired editor of the Elk River Star News and regular editorial contributor for ECM. Others on the board are: Peter Bodley, ABC Newspapers; Tim Budig, capitol correspondent; Howard Lestrud, online managing editor; Joni Astrup, Elk River Star News; John Gessner, Thisweek Newspapers; Cliff Buchan, Forest Lake Times,; Jon Tatting, Isanti County News; Luther Dorr, Princeton Union-Eagle; Jeff Athmann, president and Julian Andersen, ECM publisher.
In addition to monthly editorials, the Editorial Board has endorsed candidates in races of regional importance. These endorsements are the result of interviews with the candidates.
The board also meets with officials of other agencies and governmental units to gain perspectives on various issues that affect our communities. For example, the board has met with the state's Human Services director, met with Humphrey Institute professors and also visited with officials of Hazelden about the ongoing drug and alcohol abuse issues.