MATHIS WINKLER -- Reporter’s notebook

Newport Beach Mayor Gary Adams gave me a plaque at last week’s City

Council meeting. You know, the wooden kind, with a tile bearing the

city’s seal in the middle.

“In appreciation for your professional coverage of Newport Beach,” it

reads.

Adams and his council colleagues probably presented it to me because

they knew I was about to leave the Pilot. Later today, I’ll finish up my

last story and bid farewell to my friends at the paper before heading to

hotter pastures to start a new job at the Las Vegas Sun.

But before you jump to any conclusions about why I’m telling you all

this (“What a showoff,” comes to mind), let me explain.

I’m telling you about my departure because the Pilot editors were nice

enough to give me the space.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to thank each and every one of you

-- albeit in a somewhat impersonal way -- for the last year that we’ve

spent together.

But more about that later. First, you get to hear about the plaque.

Some of my friends who work as reporters thought it was kind of

embarrassing.

After all, they said, city officials, or any sources, for that matter,

aren’t supposed to like journalists, let alone “appreciate” what they’re

doing.

That’s also something I often heard in journalism school. There, some

even went as far as saying that journalists could have no friends outside

the field.

I disagree and readily admit that the gesture touched me.

The one thing the university folks failed to prepare me for was the

real world of journalism. That’s the one that involves readers.

Quite frankly, it’s not really surprising because I’m not sure how

many people would have read the stories I wrote at the time.

But as a journalist, I’m dealing with people all day long. I’ve formed

relationships with people all over town during my time here -- most

cordial, some a little more reserved.

And there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush I get when you, the

reader, leave me a message to comment on a story. That’s true for

positive as well as critical remarks, by the way.

One of my journalism professors once asked us to define the profession

we were about to enter. I came up with something that might seem a little

odd at first.

In my opinion, journalists should work like window cleaners. We’re in

business to clear the view and expose what’s already there. All we should

erase is the smudge, fluff and dirt that obscures your vision. We

shouldn’t add anything at all.

What I’m trying to say is that I don’t see my role as City Hall’s No.

1 enemy. If they’re doing a good job, I have no problem telling you about

it. If things don’t run smoothly, I’ll make sure you find out as well. I

hope I haven’t disappointed you in that respect. If so, there’s still

time to let me know.

As far as I’m concerned, it’s been a pleasure working with and writing

for you. See you in Vegas!

* Mathis Winkler covers Newport Beach, at least for the rest of the

day. He may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at o7

mathis.winkler@latimes.comf7 .