Today is a tough day, because it’s the first day at work without Nicole Kleinsteuber.
As was revealed last week, Nicole has taken a prestigious job working in the office of Bay of Quinte MP Chris Mallette.
As a result, her last day with us on the air and working in the news department was Friday.
Now, it should be said that I have worked with dozens of people in and out of radio that have gone on to do others things (willingly or otherwise).
I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them because the job is very consuming, and most of the time it’s more of a work relationship than a personal one.
This is different. Nicole cared deeply about the work and the people who listened on air or read the stories online, and the people affected by the events we cover. She’s brilliant, hard-working and intuitive, willing to learn and adapt, and gives it her all every single day.
Radio is a fun and vibrant place to be, but news can be sobering, depressing and even haunting sometimes, and you need someone who not only knows what to do but has your back on the darkest days.
It has been a privilege and an honour to be the captain of her team, and her co-worker and confidant in the trenches.
I don’t miss most people, but most people aren’t Nicole Kleinsteuber. She’s one of a kind.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
(PAUL MARTIN)
