I have been reading the Mountain Xpress for many years, and I have watched the quality of reporting and quality of stories develop to an outstanding level, and I attribute that partly to Cecil Bothwell’s being on the staff. I think he became a benchmark for reporters, and the reporters rose to a higher level.
I read your [alternative weekly] counterpart while in Jacksonville, Fla., [but] the quality of writing and stories that were written by local reporters there were not of the caliber of the Mountain X. Jacksonville’s Folio counted on more sensationalism and less in-depth reporting.
I think the readers of Asheville have come to expect the level of reporting that Cecil Bothwell brought to the paper. I think the readers also appreciated his wit and wisdom. I am disappointed, and I will miss his work being a part of your paper.
— Joan Bender
Asheville
