The Indiana Publisher

Jessica Bricker News-Banner (Bluffton) For as many words as he's had published during his career, Mark Miller sat speechless after it was announced Dec. 8 that he was the Wells County Citizen of the Year. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Prible surprised Miller, the News- Banner's former editor and pub- lisher, during the weekly Bluffton Rotary Club meeting, held at the Wells County Public Library. He said he was touched and honored. "A lot of people are equally deserving of this and more deserving," Miller said, "but I can assure you that nobody's more appreciative." Lee VonGunten of AdamsWells Internet Telecom TV and a fellow Rotarian nomi- nated Miller for the award, cit- ing Miller's newspaper career and community involvement as reasons for the honor. "Mark has been a clear and honest voice for truth and reason in Wells County for many years," VonGunten wrote. "I have found Mark to be fair in his writing for the News-Banner and never afraid to address difficult issues. As newspapers have found themselves experiencing mas- sive change, Mark kept our local paper on solid ground providing our community with important news that effects every citizen." Miller served as editor and publisher of The News-Banner, as well as the president of the company, from 1997 to 2016. He continues to serve as the Opinion Page editor, leads spe- cial publications such as Senior Living and Who We Are, and is a regular writer with the edito- rial staff. VonGunten noted Miller's membership at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Decatur and participation in various organizations in Wells County. Miller also "recently spent countless hours" writing a 100- year history of the Bluffton Rotary Club, VonGunten said. "It is hard to set a value on what a community actually accumulates when integrity and honesty are core principles of the publisher of a local newspaper," VonGunten added. "Wells County is a better place as a result of Mark Miller's many years of leadership, both in the community and at The News-Banner." Joining Prible during the sur- prise were News-Banner own- ers George and Dianne Witwer. N-B Publisher Doug Brown, who serves as Rotary's presi- dent, also helped organize the announcement. "I really appreciate George and Dianne being here," Miller said. "We've had such a great relationship, friendship and part- nership." George Witwer spoke to why he felt Miller was given the award. "You have been represent- ing the needs and interests and concerns of our community and making sure they're being con- veyed in our local newspaper so we can serve the people here," he said. "And that's what this award is really about is serving the community and honestly, I'm biased, but I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award than Mark Miller for what you've done with the newspaper and other community involvement." Page 4 February 2021 Mark Miller, former News-Banner editor, publisher, named Wells County Citizen of the Year Looking for an employee? Post your open positions at www.hspa.com/jobs/post-a-job/ or email info to sgoldsby@hspa.com. Your job listing will appear online and in the Indiana Publisher's job listing. Mark Miller embraces Erin Prible after Miller was named the Wells County Citizen of the Year Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Photos by Jessica Bricker. Lee VonGunten, left, poses with Mark Miller after the latter was surprised Dec. 8, 2020.. VonGunten nominated Miller for the county's top citizen award. Miller

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