Gary has over ten years of Reporting and Communications Experience: Below is a small sample of some of his selected news and community feature reporting
March 2015: Civ
ic Government / City Hall News Reporting
One of Gary’s most popular stories in his ten years of news and media writing was this recent piece on municipal campaign funding.
“Developers dug deep for city elections”
“Financial disclosure forms from the 2014 civic elections were made public last month, outlining exactly how much each of the candidates raised and spent during the fall campaign. But a closer look at the documents reveals just how concentrated the funding sources are in municipal politics, with the bulk of the contributions coming from two groups: real estate developers and unions…”
Read the full story here
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2014 Award Winning Photo Essay: Community Features
Gary was the first place recipient of the 2015 Canadian Newspapers Association A
ward for Best Photo Essay for this community feature piece on local artisan Bruce Campbell who hand crafts wooden bats that are used by some of today’s best professional baseball players.
“Crafting Wood Bats, One at a Time”
In an era of mass production, Bruce Campbell’s workshop is a throwback to another time: a man, his tools, a single purpose.
Ankle-deep in sawdust and wood shavings, the Coquitlam craftsman spends much of his spare time in his garage turning bulky pieces of lumber into finely tuned items…
View the full story and photos here
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December 2010: Community Issues / Human Interest Reporting
This story is only one of several Gary has reported on over the years. Gary was lucky to have gotten to know Irving Wickens and was deeply saddened by his death. Gary is honoured to have been able to tell Irving’s story through the years.
“Generous Homeless Man Mourned”
“Irvin Wic
kens may have been quick to help other people, but he was unable to help himself.
That is how friends at a funeral service remembered the 43-year-old homeless man, who was found dead next to a busy Port Coquitlam intersection last week. More than 150 people turned out on Thursday afternoon to share stories and memories of their fallen friend, who lived on the streets of the Tri-Cities off-and-on for more than 25 years.
“Irvin was a beautiful man and I will never forget him,” said Mark Mcintosh, an acquaintance of Wickens who struggled to hold back tears as he shared stories at the service…”
Read the full story here
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Gary McKenna 