Steve Ford: Quarles fostered N&O’s opinion policies
Your April 9 news article “N&O publisher Quarles to retire” did not mention Orage Quarles’ role in helping set the paper’s editorial policies.
Two of his specific decisions have been important to The N&O’s ongoing ability to speak with a strong, distinctive editorial voice and also to serve as a platform for many views.
Even as the printed paper was downsized to save costly newsprint, Quarles ensured that two full, adjacent pages would be devoted to opinion each day. The Monday op-ed page was abandoned for a time during the height of the recession, but it subsequently was restored.
The generous space allotment has allowed the paper to continue to offer a robust daily menu of editorials, letters, columns and cartoons.
Meanwhile, Quarles declined to consolidate The N&O’s editorial-page operations with those of its sister paper in Charlotte, as was done with sports, features and copy desks. That has helped The N&O offer well-informed, independent commentary on matters relevant to state government, the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina.
If Quarles made these decisions because he thought they would benefit the business he has led, he was correct. They’ve helped the paper better serve its readers.
Steve Ford
Cary
The writer retired in 2012 as The N&O’s editorial page editor.
This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Steve Ford: Quarles fostered N&O’s opinion policies."