Editorial: Honoring the legacy of David Howard

Posted 7/16/21

East Bay Media Group, the parent company of The Post, was saddened to learn of the passing earlier this week of one of the paper’s former editors, David Howard. Mr. Howard had a long and …

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Editorial: Honoring the legacy of David Howard

Posted

East Bay Media Group, the parent company of The Post, was saddened to learn of the passing earlier this week of one of the paper’s former editors, David Howard. Mr. Howard had a long and distinguished career in local journalism, shepherding The Post for some three decades until EBMG purchased the paper and its one-time sister publication, The Seekonk Star, in 2004.

Mr. Howard kept a keen eye on East Providence during his tenure. He was a strong advocate for the city, for what it was and for what it could be.

The Post, like many other community papers of that time, served a much different purpose then as it does today. There was no e-mail, no cellular phones, no social media. The Post was “the” place to learn about bake sales and baptisms, marriages and meeting dates, those who may have passed away and who may be prospering.

Although the purpose has changed in a way, the main mission of The Post, like it was all those years under Mr. Howard, remains the same: to keep the residents of East Providence informed about what their government is doing, how their schools are being operated and where are their tax dollars are being spent.

The paper does hold to some of those traditions of an era gone-by. We still run messages and blurbs from community groups, we still run honor rolls and dean’s lists, births and obituaries. They just don’t always come our way as often as they once did.

As has been the case throughout the 67-year history of The Post, now as it was with Mr. Howard and all who have held stewardship of the paper, the goal each week is to provide our readers with a panoramic view of East Providence, the pros and the cons, some bad and some good.

Newspapers are a legacy business. The idea is for each generation to maintain and pass along a standard of reporting the facts, a commitment to seeking the truth while also affording those with differing opinions a place to state their points of view in a respectful manner.

From what we know and have heard about Mr. Howard that was how the paper was operated when was the editor of The Post.

It is our hope, at the end of his life, he knew the paper he once helmed was still a viable vehicle, in part, because of his significant contributions.

Our condolences go out to his family and friends as we acknowledge a life well lived and a career well done.

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Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.