I know this is a little late, but as they say, “better late than never!” I am Chris Zimmerman, the new publisher of the Leader-Call. I have been here a little over four weeks, and from what I can see I am going to like Laurel very much. I have been in the newspaper business for 21 years. I was publisher in Coffeyville, Kan., and then general manager in McDonough, Ga. This opportunity became available, so Bill and I came to visit, and here we are.

We found a nice house to rent, and for two weeks lived in it with only an air mattress to sleep on, a 21-inch TV, and two lawn chairs! If anybody has ever slept on an air mattress you can sympathize with me. Not only do they get really really cold on a hard wood floor, but when you are my age, getting up out of them is not an easy chore. The only thing that kept my mind off of the cold mattress was the fact that when I woke up I was concentrating on just turning over and going right back to sleep to avoid trying to get up out of it!

We finally got all of our things moved here, most of them in one piece. Dealing with movers is quite the adventure. When they begin to load up all of your things they are so careful. That’s probably because you are watching them like a hawk. You watch your things leave thinking that when they get to where they are to unload they will be just as careful. I don’t know if it is because they get their money before they unload or they are just glad to get rid of your stuff, but being careful isn’t at the top of their mind by then. I think they have it worked out where one of you is distracted checking boxes and one is trying to tell them where to put things so they can just fling your belongings anywhere. All in all our move was fairly smooth — just a few broken dishes and a few nicks in the furniture. I’m just glad to be here and have something to sit and sleep on.

My door will always be open to anyone who wishes to pop in and say hi or to voice an opinion about something the Leader-Call has done or hasn’t done. You can drop me a line in the mail as well or e-mail me. I enjoy hearing what our readers think. The only thing I ask is that you include your name so that I can respond to you.

I look forward to getting settled in Laurel, and getting to know everybody. I hope to try and write a weekly column, so that you can get to know me a little better. I have an adorable 18-month-old grandson, and, believe me, you will get to know all about him.