Covering a government beat can be a daunting task at times, as some issues, discussions and procedures are fairly complicated. Because of this, I have been grateful for area government officials who have helped make things as clear as possible.

When I first joined Farmville Newsmedia, I was assigned the government beat for Cumberland County in addition to my sports editor duties. My primary experience in journalism up until that point had been in the realm of sports, so covering the Cumberland Board of Supervisors was an experience that was stretching me a bit. I remember my brother telling me to approach government coverage as like another sport for which I just needed to learn the rules.

I’ve learned there are a LOT of rules to learn. Most NFL broadcasts now have a referee commentator on standby to explain rules and procedures for the other broadcasters and the audience, and I am glad to have had various people fill that role for me over the past three years as I’ve worked government beats.

In Cumberland, these people included supervisors and County Administrator and County Attorney Vivian Seay Giles.

And now as I’ve transitioned to covering the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors, I’m regularly grateful for the formal, methodical way that County Administrator Wade Bartlett conducts the meetings, explaining issues and procedures in a clear manner. Chairperson Pattie Cooper-Jones and her fellow supervisors aid in this process as well.

It is important to note that this is a great public service, not only because it helps me report the news to you, but also because it helps the public in attendance at the open meetings to clearly see government at work.

Titus Mohler is the sports editor for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia, LLC. His email address is Titus.Mohler@FarmvilleHerald. com.