Front: Sally, Marcia. Standing: Mary, Diana, Bill.
After looking at various options, the staff of the Branford Eagle has decided to end publication Dec. 1.
This was not an easy decision, but we concluded it was necessary after the death of editor and founder Marcia Chambers.
Marcia began the Eagle as an online column in 2006. She expanded it to a full online newspaper when reporters Sally Bahner and Diana Stricker joined the publication in 2009. Photographer Mary Johnson began shortly thereafter. Bill O’Brien then began covering sports and other town events and taking photos. Marcia was not only the editor and investigative reporter; she also did fundraising to cover the expenses of a nonprofit publication, and she never took a salary.
We have been unable to find someone to take over Marcia’s role. She is truly irreplaceable.
Another consideration is that reporter Diana Stricker is ready for semi-retirement after covering municipal meetings for about 30 years.
In addition to personnel concerns, there is also a lack of funding to keep the paper afloat.
So, for all these reasons, we are closing shop.
We wish to thank all our readers, the residents, town leaders, and friends we have made over the years.
We have always worked to provide solid, truthful and balanced reporting, which is important to every community.
The Branford Eagle has been under the umbrella of the New Haven Independent newspaper and the Online Journalism Project, which was founded by Paul Bass in 2005. If there is a major event in Branford, it may appear in the New Haven Independent, so please read the publication and donate so that it may continue. We will also maintain the Eagle’s Facebook page for a while as a means of keeping in touch with the community.
—From the staff of the Branford Eagle
Sorry to hear this. As a journalist, friend and fellow Branfordite nobody, absolutely nobody knew the players like Bill O'Brien. Hopefully he'll keep shooting for somebody.