Living in LoCo
So Long, LoCo Readers
Tammi Marcoullier at 2:27 p.m., November 30, 2007 (22 comments)
Friday, December 7, I will publish my last entries for the Living in LoCo blog on LoudounExtra.com, and the column will then begin transitioning to a new set of writers.
It has been an amazing adventure since we began the quest to capture "The Pulse of Loudoun" in a daily web column back in Februrary on washingtonpost.com. With just under 400 stories online and 40 newspaper columns that ran in the Sunday Extra of The Washington Post, we have gotten to know each other pretty well.
Most of the criticism and praise from readers about the column was over the name "Living in LoCo." Some found it offensive (the abbreviation for Loudoun County being shortened to the Spanish word for crazy) and sent pointed and angry letters of complaint to me and various editors. Others told me it was hilarious, capturing, in a nutshell, their feelings about life in Loudoun.
I meant no offense, and beg to differ with the detractors. With our overcrowded roads, annual school boundary changes, political wranglings and development battles, there is no doubt in my mind that if you are paying attention, life in Loudoun is a little crazy!
Like many journalists, I started this job thinking "Ahh.. the power of the written word, it can change the world! I'll share stories and answer all those pesky questions that we talk about at the bus stop, when getting together on a Friday after work, or chatting at the office. Will the road be fixed? Is there another side to the recent debate? What really goes on at homeowner's association meetings..."
And it turned out to be so much more than that, because I didn't change this world. In fact, it changed me.
I have become so much more engaged with my community and aware of all the little things that go on that keeps this place running. I have met and spent time with some amazing people from all parts of the county -- people of all ages, various political stripes, and wide-ranging economic and social backgrounds. Funny people, mean people, smart people, some who had big agendas and hoped I would help them get the story out, and even some who hoped I'd never write what I found out about them and their issues. (A salacious best-seller could come of all those untold secrets, which are, still, safe with me.)
And what came of this?
You, the readers, showed us what you thought were the best stories. This blog broke news and handled the biggest local stories, among them, AOL fall 2007 layoffs, local political races (along with development issues, tops for the most number of comments), traffic (any road/intersection updates and toll road issues), and NIMBY debates on both homeless care and child day care (GSA & Old Ashburn; Lansdowne Day Care).
We also dug into some less high-profile, but equally popular topics that touch how we live, such as the opening of the new Fox Cinema in Brambleton, Eastern Loudoun's obsession with donuts (both Dunkin, which is now not going to be built, and Fractured Prune), spotting the trend of Mohawk haircuts for young boys, exploring the swingers lifestyle, and the much maligned subject of Cookie-gate (with a slew of feedback from people who, themselves, admit to partaking in a grocery sample here and there).
And we built a community by giving people a central place to talk about issues across the county, regardless of where they live or work. Readers brought amazing insight and perspective to every kind of issue and topic. Some frequent "commenters" even developed a little fan base of their own with their irreverent and off-beat quips. I have been asked repeatedly, "Do you know xcop and cer10death?" Yes, yes I do.
Some of the commenters revealed themselves to me over time, and others I recognized by their writing styles and topic points and put together the pieces when I met them in person. Other commenters drew fire for their opinons or rants that went counter to popular thought, or went entirely off topic, especially in the political realm. And still other reader identities are a mystery.
I am sincerely and thoroughly grateful for each one of you who took the time to read the blog and share your stories. You made all the difference in the success and helped guide what stories made it into print. I wish I could have told them all.
Many thanks, too, to our community correspondents for risking neighborhood ridicule and anger over telling those on the "outside" what was going on behind the scenes. A little sunshine is a good thing and you handled it like pros.
Thank you all for a great year and for supporting this work. I still live here in Loudoun and will be working nearby at a communications company, so I look forward to seeing you around.
~Tammi
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Your Thoughts...
Are you happy that the school year is over?
Comments:
Note: LoudounExtra.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below — responsibility lies with the relevant reader alone. Peruse our reader agreement and privacy policy
Thanks for the great exposure you've helped secure for this nether-region of the DC Metro area. Keep the faith, keep a (new) blog, and please continue to read/comment on what's sure to be a continuing slew of interesting or unfortunate happenings in Loco!
Your friends at Dulles South Online.
Posted by enmkmm (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi, you will be missed, and I know plenty of people out there are going to let you know that they've been changed by your reporting, too.
Posted by bkpatrick (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi,
Thank you for Living in LoCo. I think you've done an excellent job here. You have made me believe that not everyone at the Washington Post is pond scum. I feel closer to many of my neighbors and friends because of your blog.
And to my fans and admirers (and to those people who think I am any one of a few words that will result in this post being censored) thank you for your time. If the new writers are half as good as Tammi is (not likely), then my Pit Bull (if he's not maining some poor child), my guns (Roscoe, Betty and the rest) and I will be chiming in on future blogs.
xoxoxoxo
Posted by xcop (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! I feel like a lost a friend today. I'm at this site at least twice daily. First to see what you (or the correspondents) are talking about and later to read the comments. Because of you, we have all learned so much about Loudoun (and the people who are part of this area). The Post has lost a truly vital reporter who sure knew her stuff. And we... well, we've lost a friend.
Best of luck to you in your new endeavor.
Bye Tammi. You will be missed.
Posted by lera005 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammy is wicked smart, a woman who sticks to her principals and a true mentor. Thank you Tammi, for giving me the opportunity to work for you. Who knew our paths would have crossed again, huh? I am so going to miss your writing and insight here (and your editing expertise-your headlines rock)~ and that cute little Tammi smile above your blog divine!
Erica Garman
Posted by dagn66 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geez, you'd think as a writer I would have proofed my comment before posting. TAMMI (with an "I") is wicked smart...
Posted by dagn66 (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Your blog was the reason I visited the Loudoun Extra site. I guess I can remove it from my favorites list. I'm sure that there are a lot of talented bloggers out there, but it was nice to have an experienced journalist writing about life in the county and guiding "neighborhood correspondents" in drafting meaningful stories. I wish you all the best.
Posted by jleete (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Tammi, this is a loss to the Loudoun communuity and the Post. You spoke the truth and truly care about the community we all live and work together in. Some very big footsteps for someone to try to follow in.
Maybe you can come help me move some of these boxes in the parking garage over here. :)
We'll miss ya,
Brian
Posted by Brian (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi, thank you so much for having written this blog. You were always informative, entertaining, and definitely provided a real service to this community.
Posted by elizmiller (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi, you will be sorely missed. I guess I'll have to find another site for my local gossip. I hope the Post realizes what they are losing. Best of luck to you wherever your path takes you. And thanks for all of your hard work. It was much appreciated.
No wonder the Post was advertising for correspondants. They will never be able to fill your shoes...
Posted by qazwsxedcrfv (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi, I think the Washington Post will lose a popular and experienced writer when you leave. The only reason I checked this site was for the articles you wrote. I found the page to be highly informative, timely, interesting and well written and most of all, focused on the local issues we don't have the opportunity to hear about often. (You are probably the most unjudgemental writer I've ever met) and deserve a lot of credit. I'm guessing that this website will now match the dull and typically subjective face as the paper they publish each day.
Posted by thinkquick (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for everything. We in Loco have lost a reporter who really knows this neighborhood and cares about the issues. Now Tammi take a deep breath and let it all out... I know you really want to speak your mind and not play the even tempered- not taking sides reporter;) Yea and thanks for making x-cop feel closer to his neighbors!!! I have to lock my doors now. I will now remove this site from my favorites list..Dumb move by the Post.
Posted by ed (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammy,
Thank you for tolerating my irreverant and sarcastic posts. I tried to be serious...some of the time, which is hard for me because my job causes me to be serious most of the time.
I'll miss you on the blog but take comfort knowing you'll still be my friend.
So...to my "fans", whomever you maybe. I'll still post here - poking fun at most things...mostly myself and my BFF, xcop...stupid things that surround us all, poltics, policy, all of it.
There as so few things in life that shouldn't be made fun of or put thorugh a humor or parody lens. I think if you are offended by sarcasm and humor, then your taking yourself WAY too seriously!
Remember: one man's passion is another man's parody. Laugh at yourself, you'll live longer.
So...the mystery continues...who is Cer10Death... If you want to know, I'll tell but I can't imagine if anyone really cares!
Posted by cer10death (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Tammy, it's your friend in London. Sorry to see you're leaving. Good luck in your future endeavours and drop me a line!
Posted by apstyle (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The state of newspapers in Loudoun County has gotten to the point that there is really only one writer anyone reads on a regular basis - Tammi. Since this site went up, you've made a difference. It's now just another local news website. Best of luck in whatever you do.
Posted by hphokie (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Noooooooooo! Absolutely NOT the headline I wanted to see. Tammi, I loved visiting this blog primarily cuz of who was behind it! You are a real person who threw herself "out there" and provided a wonderful, valuable service to the Loudoun community. I don't know the future of this blog but it certainly won’t be as good or as fun without its matriarch (blogiarch?) Best of luck to you in future endeavors – I look forward to reading you on the next one.
Posted by locoroaddog (anonymous) on December 1, 2007 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi:
This is another example of the arrogance of the Washington Post. You are akin to the "embedded journalists" covering the war. You are ear-to-the-ground, report what's "news" to your readers and devil be darned. As an editor of community papers in the past I would consider you a diamond, but I will just about bet that the Post "editors" considered you a "homer" and thus, biased.
Speaking as someone who has been in this business since I was a teenager in the 1960s, your replacement is part of why many readers today do not trust newspapers.
I suggest you start your own blog and contact some of the advertisers in the Ashburn area who use Loudoun Extra and ask that they put a few bucks in your pocket and see who has more "eyeballs."
-30-
Posted by dhughes248 (anonymous) on December 2, 2007 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi,
Thanks for doing a fantastic job with a big platform. Your coverage of, and advocacy for, the citizens of Loudoun has been an inspiration for so many "LoCo" bloggers.
All the best in your next endeavors.
Posted by Paradox13VA (anonymous) on December 2, 2007 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sigh.
I don't know why you are moving on, but you will be missed -- unless of course you blog elsewhere, then I'll catch you there.
My best to you and your husband.
Posted by davewiseman (anonymous) on December 2, 2007 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You leave, and they need a "set of writers" to fill your shoes. Always a sign of how good you were at your job when more than one person is needed to replace you. And they definitely have a tall order. I hope WaPo is smart enough to let you help pick them out.
Posted by filmjoy (anonymous) on December 3, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi you will be missed for sure! I have really enjoyed your caring neighbor take on life in LoCo (which name I love) when it seems that no one cares about anyone but themselves anymore. One of the only reasons I had the Wash Post subscription to get the Loudoun Extra print edition twice a week for your column, so I guess you can say the Post can kiss my money goodbye...
Posted by mahardy0427 (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammi,
Allow me to be the 22nd person to thank you for this blog -- it kept me in touch with home during my exile and has been great to read now that I've returned.
I can only hope your next job works out as well.
Posted by backinloco (anonymous) on December 9, 2007 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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