Eric Gordon

ERIC Gordon would no doubt be quite baffled to think that we’d still include a note for him – instead of using this space to cram in another news story.

But Sunday will mark five years since our co-founder and editor for nearly 40 years died aged 89, a worthy moment for reflection about the legacy he has left in newsprint.

The Camden New Journal would not be here today had it not been for his bullish commitment to this borough having a campaigning, independent voice ­– a paper that would scrutinise, inform and sometimes entertain too.

And all provided each week for free, regardless of a reader’s ability to pay.

An avuncular but serious leader, he demanded more from his team of journalists ­– many of whom went on to make big names for themselves on the nationals, others have stayed to keep the fire burning.

He would have been horrified at the shells that some titles have become and what passes for news on some websites.

Eric left a paper which is here to make sure those struggling to get heard have a chance to have their say, and one which stands ready to question the powers that make decisions on all of our behalf.

The challenge now – and it’s a big one ­– is to take Eric’s recipe and adapt it to a world where we have phones almost glued to our hands all day.

Our news service stands by the mantra of only trying to cover the costs of its production – not to raise profits for unseen shareholders or to fund excessive pay.

In that sense, he was the boss in the office – but he allowed the readers, through their support and constructive feedback, to guide the way.

An editor like no other.