I arrived at The Times Record last May, excited to be taking on the role of managing editor at this newspaper.

Now, a little more than a year later, I am still excited about this paper and the dedicated staff that pours themselves into making it the best it can be every day. I look forward to seeing it grow and continue its community focus, and for the people in the towns the TR covers to get to know the staff even better.

I will, however, watch its daily improvement from afar, as today is my last with the newspaper.

To be clear, my departure is of my choosing, not because of the newspaper, its staff or owners. It’s not because I think newspapers are dying or I fear for my future. I’m leaving because what I am looking for is in Central New York, close to family. The choice that I’ve made is bittersweet, because while I know this is for the best — both for me and for The Times Record — I have grown to love my co-workers. I can honestly say it would be hard to top the group of people I’ve had the pleasure of working with for the past year-plus.

It was never my plan to be here for just a year, but I leave knowing this newspaper is in very good hands.

Our new publisher Michelle Lester has put every ounce of her energy into this paper since she came aboard this spring, and has exciting ideas for the future. She’s honest and fair, and works every bit as hard as she expects us to work. Michelle cares about the TR’s place in this community, and she cares about the people who work here. I look forward to seeing how she transforms the newspaper.

As for my replacement, John Swinconeck (that announcement is on today’s page A1), is the right person for the job. He’s covered Brunswick and MRRA for The Times Record since I started, adding Freeport to his beat this year. John is a true professional, has tons of experience and understands the notion of community journalism. You can expect caring and compassion, and a commitment to truth and integrity, from John as he transitions from reporter to managing editor.

It’s true that there have been some changes here since the calendar turned to 2015, but I believe that has not created weakness. Those changes have created opportunity, not just for the individuals getting a chance to lead the paper, but for the TR itself, as it evolves in the ever-changing new media landscape. Don’t worry, the stories about the people and programs in the community aren’t going anywhere. In fact, the commitment to telling those stories is more firm than ever.

I encourage our readers to keep sending in those story ideas, keep telling us about the groups and individuals who are making a difference in the community, keep writing letters and keep pulling the curtain back on injustices. Michelle, John and the rest of The Times Record team want to hear all about it. John can be reached at jswinconeck@timesrecord.com; Michelle’s email address is mlester@timesrecord.com.

Remember, this is not our newspaper, it’s your newspaper.

I want to thank everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with, not just here at the paper, but those I’ve connected with in our communities. It’s been a wonderfully rewarding year, and an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

And, as I leave here having giving my full effort to produce a quality paper, it’s awfully nice to know that I am leaving it in really good hands.

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Rob Montana is the former managing editor of The Times Record. He can be reached at rob.j.montana@gmail.com