Longtime Auburn Journal reporter retires

After writing an estimated 20,000 stories about Auburn people, politics, crime and more, reporter Gus Thomson is closing his reporter's notebook for the last time this week. Thomson, who has worked for the Auburn Journal for 31 years, begins his retirement today. "I will miss the interaction with so many good people willing to share their stories with me," Thomson said. "It's a relationship of trust that I've always respected and will miss that connection that comes from representing the Auburn Journal and journalism." And he will be missed by the Auburn Journal as well. "To work over 30 years in any one industry is phenomenal, let alone doing so at one sole job site for that many years," said Bill Sullivan, associate publisher at Gold Country Media, Auburn Journal's parent company. "This alone illustrates the dedicated journalist in Gus that we have been so fortunate to have as a vital part of our editorial team at the Auburn Journal and Gold Country Media. Not only has he provided our publications and the community with thousands of powerful stories and photos, he has mentored many fellow journalists through the decades as well." Thomson moved to Auburn from his hometown in Nanaimo, Canada, in 1988 to work at the Auburn Journal. "I was looking at working in the U.S. because there is more freedom for journalists in this country than there is in Canada," he said. "I really liked what I saw in Placer County and Auburn — a vibrant community with an established newspaper and a good community to raise my family in." He studied a broad array of courses in university to prepare him for a career in journalism. "It chose me," Thomson said of his choice to become a journalist. "I've always be the one called on to write the story for others. For the last 31 years I've considered it a privilege that Auburn residents, businesses and groups have allowed me to tell the stories of their triumphs and tragedies." What kept Thomson coming to work and writing story after story under deadline every day? "I like best the fact that you never know what you will be writing about and reporting on next," he said. "Every day is different." Thomson has seen the industry change a lot in his 30 years. "Initially it was about people and now it's more about writing the stories that people want to read," he said. "I have a good depth of knowledge of the community to guide me in the direction of what stories our readers are most interested in. Sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm wrong." Technology has also come a long way. When Thomson began his career, he was working with a typewriter and now he is using a computer and the web and social media to connect with readers. "I think things are a lot better in some ways for reporters because we have more information at our fingertips and better information if we know where to look and who to ask," he said. Having written so many articles, it is hard to pick a favorite, Thomson said. "In general, I've spent decades covering weekend events and seeing the happiness and joy of other people's lives and reporting on it," he said. "I've also been at horrific crashes and witnessed death and it is important for me to tell that story to help with the community's grieving process." His years of experience will leave a hole in the Auburn Journal newsroom. "It's been fantastic working with Gus," said Julie Miller, design and content manager for the Auburn Journal. "He has a wealth of knowledge about Auburn and its history, a masterful use of the English vocabulary and he does it all with a touch of class." His humility shining through, Thomson said his contributions are just one small part of the Journal's history. "I'm part of something that is a lot bigger and I recognize that," he said. "The Journal has been around for about 150 years so I'm just part of something and that makes me feel very humble." In retirement Thomson said he is going to explore his creative options but isn't committing himself to anything for the first six months. "Gus has been tossing the thought of retirement around for a few months with us and I think many of us have been in denial and are hoping he will just keep coming back like he has nearly every day these last three decades," Sullivan said. "But that's a false hope and we wish him the very best as he looks to spend time with his wife, travel, get to more hockey games and so much more he has been talking about." Thomson said he extends his thanks to the Journal, the readers and his family for supporting his career throughout the years.