We were deeply saddened this week when we heard that Spartanburg Spark publisher Steve Shanafelt (a Blogger We Love and, most recently, Outside.in guest blogger) is leaving Spartanburg, SC in the fall to pursue another hyperlocal adventure in another town (we’ll let him tell you about that exciting project himself).
While we’re incredibly excited for Steve and his new endeavor, we’re also worried about what will happen to the Spark after his departure from Spartanburg, an issue he addressed in his ‘Big Idea’ post this week:
Here’s the deal: I’m in town until October, although I’ll increasingly be focusing on non-Spark projects as I get closer to that deadline. While I would love — absolutely love — to hand the project off to the right person or group of people, and to watch it grow, I’d rather end the project completely than hand it off to the wrong group of people. To put it another way, I’d much rather have this be a two-year experiment I can look back and be proud of than to let it become a mockery of itself in the hands of others who don’t understand the mission of the project. Call me the Diogenes of Spartanburg, but I’d rather snuff this lantern’s spark out while it burns true than give it to someone who won’t use the light it gives to illuminate the community. I should also note that money isn’t a factor in this decision, and the Spark isn’t for sale.
Which is where you come in. I’ve had a number of discussions with a variety of people about what should happen to the Spark, and some of those are very much on the table. But none of them are concrete, and most are just as dependent on finding the right person or people to take over the project. But you’re a savvy group of folks, and you know the town. Some of you might be in a place in your lives where you might even be able to take on a project like the Spark, or perhaps you know someone else who is. Maybe you’ve even fantasized about how you’d run the site if you were in charge.
Here is the place to brainstorm about what you’d like to see the Spark become. It’s a non-binding brainstorming session, and while it may influence my decision-making process about the future of the site, ultimately the decision is still mine to make.
The post-Shanafelt future of the Spark certainly is a big idea — and we definitely hope Steve finds someone as awesome as he is to take it over (a tall order, for sure, as Steve is really, truly awesome). Still, knowing how many incredible bloggers there are out there, we know it can be done. We figured the least we could do would be to share this news with you: perhaps you know someone in Spartanburg (or, someone who’d want to move to Spartanburg) who might be interested in helping to shape the future of a vibrant hyperlocal community site?
Please take a few moments to read Steve’s full post, aptly-titled “Big Idea: The Post-Shanafelt Future of the Spartanburg Spark,” and to congratulate Steve and his crew on the Spark’s two-year anniversary, an accomplishment to be celebrated, for sure, regardless of what the future holds.
