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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 15, 2013 · 4 Nominations include Reporter of the Year By John Bkila OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville Beaver news reporter David Lea is a finalist in the Ontario Community Newspapers Association's (OCNA) Stephen Shaw Award for Reporter of the Year. "It feels really great," said Lea. "Recognition by your peers and the journalism industry is really about the most amazing thing you can get. I'm just overwhelmed." Finalists for the 2012 OCNA Better Newspaper Competition were announced Thursday. The Beaver was also nominated for Use of Process Colour in advertising, and the Community Service Award for its partnership with Sheridan College on the Celebrating Success project, where editorial, photography and ad sales for the publication were produced entirely by 2012 graduate marketing students. "It was an interesting project we did with Sheridan College as a community partner," said Beaver Advertising Director Daniel Baird. Beaver photographer Eric Riehl, a Metroland West Media photographer, is also a finalist for Photographer of the Year. "I'm honoured to be a finalist for Photographer of the Year, alongside two other exceptional photographers in our profession," Riehl said. "I'm thankful for the opportunities that Metroland has given me to grow my skills... surrounded by extraordinary journalists." Beaver Managing Editor Angela Blackburn, who nominated Lea for the award, said it is an honour that is well-deserved. David Lea "David is a hardworking and diligent journalist who is always up for a challenge," said Blackburn. Lea, who graduated from the print journalism program at Loyalist College in Belleville in 2006, has been working at the Beaver for six years, covering news, police, Town council, politics and features. "I worked at various other jobs where you do the same thing, day in and day out, and I quickly got tired of that. They're not interesting," he said. "But this job, every day you do something different." Lea was nominated specifically for a series of news/feature stories he researched and wrote on the topic of suicide. The series came about in the wake of Lea's reporting of community news. While the media traditionally does not report on suicide, The Oakville Beaver embarked on an investigation of the issue, numbers, personal stories, community perspectives and resources available. Lea spoke with police, local health officials and agencies as well as numerous residents who had personal experiences to share. The series ran as a three-part news Eric Riehl feature that explored the topic and, in each edition, offered resources available in the community. Lea did this in addition to his regular work, which in 2012, included coverage of a high profile murder and police shooting, coyote attacks that escalated to a young girl who was bitten by a coyote and the police shooting of the animal, continued fall out over the proposed Oakville power plant, and the story of Holocaust survivor Edith Gelbard, to name but a few. "I would like to congratulate all the nominees for this year's finalists in the OCNA's Better Newspaper Competition... Eric Riehl, who is a staff photographer at the Beaver, as well as its sister Halton newspapers, is well-deserving of this nomination," said Blackburn. Winners will be announced at an awards gala Friday, March 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Vaughan. For more, visit www.ocna.org/bnc_ finalists. Huge price thaw on NOW 30 to 60% off. For a limited time, enjoy discounts of up to 60% off a selection of our stylish suits, jackets and casual wear. Don't miss your chance to expand your winter wardrobe with Burrows ­ hurry in today! The quality you demand. The exceptional service you expect. For more information, please contact us at 905.842.0232, or info@burrowsclothiers.com 200 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville · 905.842.0232 · www.burrowsclothiers.com