Laurie's Leaving
"It's getting very near the end..."
-The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
First of all you need to know that Laurie and I are both big Beatles fans. On most Friday nights, she'll peep around from her cubicle into mine and announce that we need a little music in the newsroom. That's my cue to visit one of my favorite websites www.live365.com and find some Beatles music... or some other classic rock. I'm going to miss having Laurie in the next cubicle. Not just on Friday night, but on Monday-Thursday as well. We've been anchoring the news together here at News 12 for 12 years. That's no small feat in an industry that has reporters and anchors moving to other markets every few years. That's more than a decade of election night coverage, Masters coverage, and all manner of breaking news, telethons and community events.
I can't tell you how important it is to have someone you trust and more than that, someone you genuinely like and respect sitting next to you. Over the years, I've watched Laurie cover stories that have taken her from Bosnia, to ground zero, Washington and Cape Canaveral. She's covered all of those events and hundreds more with poise and professionalism. Network quality. Laurie could take her talents anywhere in America. Any newsroom, from CBS in New York to CNN in Atlanta would be lucky to have her.Instead, she's decided to give her television career a break and go to work helping our nation's wounded warriors right here in Augusta, Georgia. What a noble calling. Since she won't be anchoring the 6 & 11 o'clock news, she also gets more time with her husband and daughter. Who can argue with that?
So here's to a dozen great years, Laurie. And you know where I'll be on Friday nights. I hope you'll call sometime, the request line is always open.Good luck and God bless.
Richard Rogers
News 12
22 comments:
Friday morning at nine o'clock, she is far away.
Waiting to keep the appointment she
made
Meeting a man who's here from the VA.
She
(What did we do that was wrong)
is having
(We didn't know it was wrong)
fun....
(Fun is the one thing that
money can't buy)
Something inside that was always denied for so many years.
She's leaving home.
Bye, bye...
(sniff)
I had the great honor to work with Laurie at WRDW in 2004 and 2005. She really is how she seems on TV: smart, funny, dedicated, beautiful and sincere. I can't imagine a more perfect role model for a woman in this business. I'm a better person and a better journalist for knowing her. While Augusta (and I) will greatly miss seeing her on the anchor desk, I admire her decision to do what's best for her and her family. I'm proud to call her a friend, and I can't wait to see what she does in the years to come.
Jill McNeal
Former WRDW Weekend Anchor
I really hate to see her go. But for the cause there couldn't be a better one. She is truly a great individual and have to love her ambition.
BEST WISHES LAURIE
Crystal Davis
In an area and a time where there is so much crassness and lack of character you have been a ray of hope. With so much negetivity in the headlines you have been a constant reminder that this world we live in is "good", people are "worth it",and we all can "make a difference". thanks for being more than just a media personality. God bless you and your family.
Good Luck Laurie!
I will miss you very much. You Richard and Bob make Channel 12 News. It will not be the same without you. You have been an excellent steward for Channel 12.
The stories you uncovered, reported, and made your own will be missed.
I am saddened to see you go, but understand your reasons. What a Great Public Servant you are for us.
Good Luck with this new job. If you give it as much of you as you did the news, the men & women you are helping are lucky.
May God continue to bless you and your family.
With love and Respect
Kathleen Pilz
Aiken, SC
I don't believe it...Laurie can't be leaving News 12. She is as talented and dedicated to the profession as any anchor I have ever worked with, and I knew a few in my day.
Truth of the matter is, she would excel in any job, anywhere, because of her drive, courage and talent.
I can't say how proud I am that she "gets" that her mission and purpose in life transcends voice overs, sound bites and exclusives.
I wish I could be there the night she signs off!
Paul Davis/Former News 12 Sports Director.
I think Laurie's last day at the station can be summed up nicely by the 6 o'clock producer's all-call shortly before his show was to start:
"Can we get Laurie Ott some tissues in the studio, please?"
It's an emotional day for all of us--those of us who've been here a dozen years, and those of us who've been here less than a dozen months. Laurie had an impact on everyone. She gets things done--that much is obvious to everyone in the community that she's touched. But she does it in a way that is beyond professional. She's involved. Everyone she meets becomes a part of her family.
And that's why I, who worked semi-closely with her on getting documentation for the Linda Schrenko scandal up on the website but otherwise don't see a whole lot of Laurie Ott, am sitting here in tears. Because she's my friend.
And I'm going to miss her.
Heather Meadows
News 12 Web Producer
It will seem so funny looking at the news and not having your smile there. You were very great and I really looked forward to seeing the news when you were on.
Laurie Ott,
You have been a warm, and welcomed inspiration to many. As a Disabled Combat Veteran from service in DesertShield/Desert Storm, Bosnia and 19 plus years of military service. I am deeply greatful for your endeavors to help our Wounded Warriors. Thank-you.
I met Laurie through Traci a few times and thought she was really a nice person. I wish you all the luck Laurie and I hope that you enjoy all you do and your time with your daughter and husband!
PEACE & BLESSINGS!
Beth Folland
As a lifelong journalism student and North Augusta resident, the face of WRDW as I have always known it was that of Richard and Laurie smiling back at me. I grew to trust and respect them far beyond words, and I'm thrilled that I was able to join the team and work alongside her for seven amazing months. Though it sounds like the mere blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things, she'll never realize how much more I've learned about the craft just by shutting up and watching her in action. Those wounded warriors have gained a most unyielding ally.
Brandon Mullis, News 12 Photojournalist
I have enjoyed watching Laurie Ott since I moved to Augusta in 2003. She will be missed but I know she will benefit the wounded warriors. I just returned from 10 months in Iraq where I operated on the wounded soldiers and know the severity of the wounds they sustained and know the long rehabilitation they face. I am so glad that Laurie will be working to improve these soldier's life.
Laurie Ott is a pen thief!
We will miss you. but we know you are needed elsewhere. You made the news a joy to watch, we will miss your smiling face.
For more than two years I produced a newscast with Laurie Ott at the helm. To say she was a professional is not nearly enough. Laurie was always willing to lend a hand or an ear. Thankfully, I got to call her a coworker and a friend. Augusta's airwaves are a little lonlier tonight, but wounded soldiers couldn't be getting a better advocate. We'll all miss seein' ya, Laurie!
Nobody else will say it so I will. Laurie Ott is Hot Hot Hot
Dear Laurie, It just will not be the same not seeing you on Channel 12. I have been watching you since you started and you have done so much for the media and the community. It has been such a pleasure watching you and attending some of your different events you have participated in as speaker, hostess,etc. You will be greatly missed. I commend you on your future venture with the Uptown V.A. Hospital and wish you the best. Before my Dad passed that facility treated him with wonderful care and I know that with you being involved great things are yet to come for such a good facility and a great cause you will be involved in. Thank you for just being you, you are the best. Your friend, Clinton Brotemarkle
I just found out about Laurie's leaving, and I was struck with disbelief. I am currently attending Georgia Southern University so I don't get to watch the NEWS12 broadcasts unless I am at home, but I was on the web I was browsing the NEWS12 website and I saw the banner for Laurie's leaving. I have grown up with Richard, Laurie and Bob coming into my home for the majority of my life. As you already know, she will be greatly missed, and I know that whatever the Wounded Warrior Project leads Laurie to, she will be a great success! The Project is so fortunate to have her! Good Luck Laurie!!
Laurie, I have been watching news 12 for as long as i can remember. I think you are great an channel 12 will not be the same without you. I think what you are doing is a great thing for Augusta. I have moved away now, but i still watch news 12 3 times a day..lol. I am going to miss your smile an all you bought too us an news 12. I cry everytime i watch the its time video. I Pray you have a wonderful an safe life, an keep doing what you love best. Im going to miss you, an i will always keep you in my prayers, an thanks for just being you....Dianne Dorsey
WRDW just will not be the same!! Several years ago Laurie mentioned my daughter in an article about "Green Tea" research at MCG when other reporters ignored her contribution to the project. Ever since, I have been loyal to Channel 12 and would not consider another source of news. I wish you the best in your new endeavor and will pray for you to have the courage you will need to deal with this hard subject. Janet Drake
It will not be the same without seeing you on the news every night. I have watched you for years, and we were even pregnant around the same time! I anticipated the delivery of my child and yours too!
Best of luck in the field you are going into. I know goodbyes are hard and so is leaving but when God has a calling for you somewhere else, you have to listen! God bless you always, and hope to still see you on the news popping in to say hello to us sometime!
Dear Laurie: Ever since we moved to Aiken from the Charleston, SC area, some 14 years ago, it seems that you were always the shining light of the local newscasts. I came to depend on your reporting quickly and will miss you, now that you have moved on. We wish you the very best in all you attempt to do. Like all good things, it had to come to an end sometime. Liz and Bill Leopard, Aiken, SC
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