Nathan Lamb stepped into the role of editor at the Malden Observer in the summer of 2011 just a few months before Gary Christenson was elected mayor. Three years is actually a long tenure for that post. Neighborhood View caught up with him as he prepares to leave the position.
What will you miss most about the job?
These things are always kind of bittersweet. I’m excited to start at a new job but I’ll miss the stories that take place every day here. I’ll miss meeting such a variety of great people in Malden and being out and about in the community. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some great organizations in Malden like the Bread of Life, the Immigrant Learning Center, Triangle, and MATV. I’ve also been fortunate to work with a great team of regular contributors who’ve helped me fill the paper, week-in and week-out, so I guess now is a good time to thank them!
Where will you be going?
I’ve taken a job with a content management firm up in Andover. Basically I’ll be the middleman between clients that want something written and freelancers that do the work. After 10 years in journalism, I thought it was time to try something new.
Are you optimistic about the future of journalism?
Journalism is definitely changing a lot but one thing I’ve noticed about Malden is that there is a huge appetite for local news. It’s nice when I’ve been able to report on stories that move the needle in town and I think that kind of thing will continue to happen in local journalism.
How does Malden compare to other places you have worked?
One of the reasons I came to Malden is to learn how be a reporter in a city. I spent a lot of time working at towns in north-central Massachusetts and Vermont, so this was something new for me. There’s definitely been a lot to learn, but I will say that the mayor’s office has been very responsive to media inquiries (showing great patience at times in explaining how things work) and I think that tone trickles down through City Hall. Really, the same goes for virtually all of the public officials I’ve dealt with in Malden. It’s made for a great learning environment to find out how a city works.
Will we still see you around?
Definitely! My wife and I bought a home here in Malden and I plan to stay connected. I’ll still be involved in election night coverage through the Observer and anytime MATV asks me to host a political commentary show. And I’m still working with the Malden Reads: One City, One Book committee. I look forward to being involved in the community. It’ll just be in a different role.
Nathan Lamb, thank you so much for all you do for Malden. I especially appreciate the great coverage of Malden Arts and the Mayor’s Committee on Walkability. It has been a pleasure to work with you at The Observer and you will be missed!