Life of Crime for a 76-year-old?

This week's issue of Feb. 6 features a story about some burglary victims getting their belongings back. Well, some of their items. Their high-end jewelry was not found. Big surprise there.

According to police, a 76-year-old man, Kermit Gabel, allegedly stole these items that Exeter Police displayed on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 for victims.

If Gabel, a.k.a. "The Silver Burglar" (for allegedly taking silverware) had been a burglar all of his life, do you realize how sad that is? It's sad choosing to do things that mess with people's feelings and memories instead live a life of freedom. It makes me think about the decisions that people make that shape their lives. And how people fall into this lifestyle of crime.

I was happy to find out that a lot of burglary victims were able to find their belongings. I'm sure it gives people a lot of relief too.

Welcome to TassMania

While you read the title of my blog/look at my profile picture, you will see I am a fan of Taz.

My nickname has been Taz since middle school because of my last name being pronounced “Taz-mer.” Hence the reason I chose to name my column in The Southern Berks News “Taz’s Tidbits.”

I figured since so many people share their lives with us for the paper, in turn this blog will let me share my life and thoughts with you.

I’ve been the editor of The Southern Berks News since the end of October, and let me tell you, has it ever been a ride so far.

Before working for Berks-Mont newspapers, I was a reporter/photographer for an Army newspaper, APG News, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., where I was responsible for my stories and chipping in with copy editing other stories in the paper.

Since I started working as the editor of The Southern Berks News, I’ve been challenged with making decisions that affect the paper as a whole: what will be printed on the front page, locations of other stories and which pictures will be used to accompany the stories.

Other challenges I’ve been faced with is understanding the issues that affect the municipalities in The Southern Berks News coverage area and learning to write about taxes.

One of the most exciting and darkest days on the job was Jan. 9 when I covered the stabbing at Antietam Middle-Senior High School.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the scoop of what was happening until about 9:30 or 10 a.m., and by the time I arrived at the school, the students had been transferred to the Mt. Penn Primary Center and their parents had taken them home.

Although it was depressing to hear about a student taking out his anger in this manner, I was glad I had the opportunity to cover the story that day and the meeting between the school administration and parents the same week. It was very interesting to hear what the parents thought about the incident and it gave me the perspective of what the community was like.

Even though Antietam was interesting to cover, I do not want bad news on the front page of the paper every week. Then it will feel like the news on TV and I will hate that. Every time I turn on the TV, I hear about murder, death, the economy crumbling, adults acting like children.

My goal is to try to balance out the good with the bad. If negative things happen in the coverage areas, it is still my duty to get it in the paper. I’m just saying that there is no reason of why we shouldn’t get some good news in when it happens too.

I’m always open to hearing story ideas so if you have one, feel free to give me a call at the office 610-367-6041 ext. 225, or send me an e-mail htassmer@berksmontnews.com.