Ron Vodenichar, president and publisher of the Butler Eagle, stands in the lobby of the newspaper on Wayne Street.

150 years!

150 years of existing or doing anything is hard to imagine. Today 150 years has great significance for us at the Butler Eagle. On March 2, 1870, local residents printed the very first edition of the Butler Eagle. Might they have had any idea the role their little newspaper would play in lives of so many future residents of Butler County? We do so much more than just report the news each day. We have captured so many precious moments for individuals and families in those years. Births, graduations, weddings, reunions, anniversaries and deaths all became and remain staples of what is expected from us and what we do each day. We document the creation of new business, new schools and even new communities. Most importantly is that we have always been a servant of the people. With all due respect to other professions; no one else has the singular job of documenting the history of a community as it happens and dares to put it down in print for permanent records.

One former Publisher pointed out that the “yellow pages” listed dozens of doctors, lawyers, engineers and professors in each community but the local newspaper always stood alone in its singular importance and function. That same publisher cautioned how crucial it would always be not to lose sight of the newspaper's role and not to ever abuse it. It is not the newspaper's role to judge or condemn. It isn't the newspaper's task to create controversy or to choose direction. The newspaper must give choices and try to give clear options to the readers who put their trust in the printed word.

It is with great pride and yet a humble spirit that we reflect on the honor bestowed on our newspaper by this community every day for 150 years. You welcome us into your homes and give us the distinct honor of being your chosen news source. We do not take for granted this honor and we do not feel entitled to the position we have filled for these 150 years. The staff and management pledge to uphold our responsibility to keep this community informed and educated. We hope this is only the beginning of celebrations of service to the community. We will be here to announce and honor the accomplishments of other companies, organizations and families as they too reach milestones. We are truly the community's newspaper and we thank you for letting us be part of your lives for 150 years.

Ron Vodenichar is president and publisher of the Butler Eagle.