The views expressed in the Opinion columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beach Gazette, its staff, board, donors, or advertisers. The Gazette reviews submissions for factual accuracy but does not endorse the opinions or conclusions expressed.
In its inaugural issue, the Beach Gazette pays homage to the history of local news at the Beaches as a launchpad for the next phase of local news. The letter from the editor on the front page of the first edition of The Beaches Leader in 1963, republished below, still resonates in 2026.
All good things must come to an end.
It's easy to swallow when it's layered over something basic like a vacation or a really tasty meal. Greeting the end of something bigger and more meaningful feels like a boat adrift without an oar.
For generations, community newspapers have
Growing up in Jacksonville Beach, the Beaches Leader was always part of my family’s life and probably yours. If you lived at the Beaches for any stretch of time, there’s a good chance you have a clipping from the Leader folded between the pages of a photo album.
Most residents probably assume that the Jacksonville Beach City Council approves the people who hold the most powerful positions in local government. In many cases, that assumption would be wrong.
