February 9, 2006

For everything there is a season...

This issue marks the last time our senior staff writer Kymberli Brady’s name will appear on the masthead. Although the hours are long and the paychecks small, Kym’s journalistic skills and enthusiasm overrode what is sometimes the thankless job of telling the readers “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

Kymberli W. Brady

She is leaving the Times to tackle a new position as director of community relations and public affairs for the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Kymberli has been with the Times for nearly five years covering everything from education to crime to coyotes to city hall. She has thrown herself into every story with an enthusiasm and knack for uncovering the truth that has served this newspaper well as it moved from a monthly to an award-winning weekly publication.

What’s more, she has become a well-known face in the community for residents who are seeking answers to problems or a chance to shine a light on the many positive things happening in the Almaden Valley. Her friendly demeanor instantly put the subjects of her articles at ease, which allowed them to open up and give her great interviews.

Some of Kymberli’s best work has come in the past couple of years. She is the writer who uncovered the disfiguring pedicure infection mycobacteria. Her series of articles prompted legislation that was brought before the powers that be in Sacramento (although it died on the governor’s desk) and ultimately changed the way the industry does business. Today consumers are safer going to salons than ever before, thanks to Kymberli’s series of articles on this nasty infection.

Another series of articles she wrote about problems with teachers at driving schools uncovered a troubling history at one school, which included a teacher arrested for statutory rape and other teachers driving without an instructors’ licenses. This prompted changes at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Kymberli’s exceptional eye for photography has also garnered kudos, especially her work on last summer’s Grand Prix and on the opening of the new City Hall last fall.

Working side by side now for several years along with Jeanne Lewis, Lorraine Gabbert, Sheila Sanchez and Diego Abeloos, our staff has been through illness, deaths in the family, divorces, new babies…you name it. We have become more than co-workers. We have become friends. (Good enough friends that we can even occasionally rib her about her wide selection of colorful hats.)

So Kymberli, good luck in your new career. We know that with your many talents you will be a huge asset to the Chamber.

We’ll miss you…even your funny hats.