Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram Entry Title: Rini Jeffers Entry Credit: Rini Jeffers Judge Comment: So many feelings were touched in reading these exceptional columns: Sadness, insight, outrage, sentimentality. The writer has a literary touch that paints scenes and "puts readers there" and pulls them through a narrative that weaves in a clear point of view. When it was time to hit hard, they did not hold back. A great entry.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Lima News Entry Title: David Trinko Entry Credit: David Trinko Judge Comment: A well-written collection of thoughtful observations, gentle points of view and plenty of wry touches. Like hearing an old friend telling engaging stories.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Canton Repository Entry Title: Charita Goshay Entry Credit: Charita Goshay Judge Comment: Assertive takes, well-crafted. The point of view is established early in each column, supported by fact and logic, and then driven home effectively with strong endings.
