Javier Baños
Baños is the Editor of Gables Insider
As the year draws to a close, Gables Insider reflects on a period marked by significant transition and renewal. The past twelve months have been nothing short of transformative for the publication. In 2023, we witnessed the ascent of our founding editor to the City Commission, navigated through potential cessation, and ultimately experienced a renewal under my guidance. I assumed the helm of Gables Insider with a deep commitment to preserving the vision that Ariel had meticulously cultivated over the years.
This transition, naturally, brought about changes in the editorial direction, coverage, and voice of Gables Insider. We acknowledge that these adjustments have not resonated uniformly with our readership. Some have expressed reservations, while others have embraced the new course with open arms. Notwithstanding the varied reception and candid critiques — some pointedly expressed by our passionate Star Trek aficionado — I am heartened and profoundly thankful for the overall positive response. Our readership has grown by 10% since August, a testament to the enduring relevance and appeal of our publication.
In the spirit of open dialogue and the robust exchange of ideas — the bedrock of a thriving democratic society — we welcome all forms of commentary, be it laudatory or critical. Every opinion, every piece of feedback contributes to the vibrancy and depth of our communal discourse. Admittedly, my background in accounting might not lend itself to traditional journalistic flair, and for this, I offer my sincerest apologies. My aim, beyond opinion pieces, has always been to present a balanced and fair perspective to the best of my ability.
As we turn the page to 2024, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serve our readers and to contribute to the rich tapestry of dialogue in our beloved City Beautiful. The year ahead promises to be filled with compelling stories and significant developments, and we look forward to navigating these with you. Wishing you all a happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year.
Developers continue to gobble up land in the City, making it ugly. The new administration hasn’t stopped it. You and I are to blame for letting it happen. Happy New Year!
I am grateful that The Gables Insider continues to exist and thank you for your service to our community.
What faith? I heard Mr. Baños keeps a book on his nightstand about how to write perfect narratives… That must be the faith you’re talking about, Gerry L.
Mr. Baños, you should be apologizing for more than a lack of traditional journalistic flair. You should be apologizing to residents for misleading them. There is no balance or fair perspectives in your posts. Your original Fritz and Franz article and the following response from the City are the perfect example of your passion for narratives. With that, let’s go a step further and examine your claim of a 10% increase in readership. Your posts are riddled with so many discrepancies it becomes difficult to believe anything you say. So for the sake of posterity, show us the statistics. Show us your work. Where are the charts that show the increase in readership? Where are your bar graphs that show how many residents are actually reading your gibberish? We can’t just take your word for it. If I’m wrong, then at least I can enjoy the fact that you’re actually reading my comments and there is validity in what I have to say.
On another note, I’m more of a Star Wars fan. Anyway… May the force be with you.
Thank you for your perseverance.
Happy New Year!
agree with Jose Alejandro. Keep the faith, Javier. and thank you for doing what you do. they may not like it, or admit it, but you’re the only window we have into our city’s leadership. no other news outlets cover the Gables like Insider. w respect, admiration & appreciation,
We believe you are doing a great job of keeping us informed about what is happening in our beloved City Beautiful, and hope you continue to do so.