By Roxanne Sailors
After weeks of speculation as to the fate of the Humboldt Standard, Jack Cooper made an announcement last Friday. The new owner of the Humboldt Standard is, George Marburger! George, a local businessman, was one of many people concerned that the paper remains in the community, for the community.
Jane Hogue will continue with the Standard as Office Manager, and Roxanne Sailors will assume the Editor position. Jack purchased the Humboldt Standard 42 years ago, on April 1, 1975, from Wayne Friedly. Jack has received many awards during his newspaper career, with plaques from Five Rivers, American National Bank, Nebraska Press, Rotary International, Lions Club, Home State bank and Trust and Jaycees. Possibly his most notable award was in April of 2014, when he was presented the Harpst Award at the Nebraska Press Convention held in Grand Island that year.
The Leadership Nebraska Award was created and funded by the Harpst Family to recognize a Nebraska Press Association newspaper or publisher that best illustrates efforts in promoting leadership within their community, such as news articles about youth groups that foster leadership, community leadership organizations and their participants, or information about alumni of leadership groups and success stories as these individuals go on to actual community leadership posts.
The nomination letter to Nebraska Press stated in part: “For practically his entire career, Jack has set a positive and hopeful record by focusing on our community and its importance within the county, region and state. No other person has had the influence as Jack Cooper in coalescing a community to continue to keep our town alive and relevant. His leadership can be counted upon in practically any situation; his cooperation is guaranteed.”
George Marburger’s commitment to the community and countless hours of volunteer work in the City of Humboldt is a perfect match for the future of the Humboldt Standard. George took possession of the newspaper December 1.
Marburger is a name known to Humboldt since the mid-1800’s. Marburger Shoes opened the door in 1879, first in the building West of Best Printing, then relocated to the building on 3rd Street, before settling in the current location on the East side of the Square.
George took over the family business in 1996. Upon presentation of his new office key, George said he had been given lots of advice about running the newspaper in the last couple of days, which mainly boiled down to “stay out of the girls’ way”. George will maintain the Marburger Shoe Shop and his repair business on the East side of the Square
