Reader advocate to retire Feb. 1
Advertiser Staff
John Simonds has announced his retirement as reader representative of The Honolulu Advertiser, effective Feb. 1.
Advertiser library photo
Anne Harpham, senior editor of The Advertiser, will be the newspaper's new reader representative.
John Simonds said the concern readers show is touching.
Simonds, 66, said he is leaving his ombudsman's role to pursue a number of long-delayed personal projects, family and home activities in Hawai'i.
"This has been a fascinating job. Advertiser readers have been great, and I'll miss their calls, letters and e-mails. The Advertiser has been very supportive," Simonds said. "The concern readers have shown for the newspaper and the community has been encouraging. Readers find mistakes, question coverage, suggest stories, even send compliments.
"They contribute every day to making the paper more accurate, more responsive. I've enjoyed working for all of them."
"John Simonds has been a key contributor to The Advertiser and to the community at large," said Advertiser Publisher Michael J. Fisch. He cited Simonds' accomplishments at The Advertiser and also over the years for its parent, Gannett Co. Inc., which Simonds joined as a reporter in Washington, D.C., in 1966.
Advertiser library photo
Simonds came to Hawai'i in the early 1970s, working on the Ho-nolulu Star-Bulletin copy desk and then as its Washington correspondent before returning in 1975 as managing editor. He later was executive editor, senior editor and editor of the editorial pages. He left the Star-Bulletin in 1993 to work for the Hawaii Newspaper Agency as market development editor, overseeing special sections for the former HNA, until moving to The Advertiser.
Anne Harpham will assume Simonds' duties.
"John's knowledge of Hawai'i, his journalistic integrity and his commitment to our readers have defined our reader representative position at a high standard," said Advertiser Editor Saundra Keyes. "We're pleased that Anne Harpham brings a similar commitment to this important role."
Harpham, 51, has worked at The Advertiser since 1972. A native of Honolulu, she graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy and Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Harpham has worked as a copy editor, reporter and editorial writer. For the past 15 years, she has worked in various editing positions, including business editor, city editor and managing editor. Most recently, she has worked as editor of The Advertiser's PM edition, a responsibility she will retain.
Simonds, who began his newspaper career in 1957, lives in 'Aina Haina, is married, has four children living on the Mainland, and is active in O'ahu's running community.
