Note from the Editor
Volume 9 of BRIA is the final issue for which I
will serve as editor. Even as you read this, Don Finn,
who will edit volumes 1012, is busy doing all those
odd jobs editors do so that he can submit quality
manuscripts for volume 10 to Sarasota. And do so in a
timely fashion. In editing volumes seven and eight I
followed the rule that the journals pages are for
the authors and not the editor. The authors have more to
say and you will find it more valuable. Besides,
editors-elect and new editors soon become aware that they
have perhaps too many forums at which to make their views
known and too many authors put too much credence in what
they say. As if we really know what we will do.
But over the past three plus years, I have accumulated a
large number of professional debts to those
who have assisted me in taking what you have read and
will read in BRIA from manuscript to published
paper. All of them deserve a proper thank you and so I
will take a page to do so.
Authors, both those whose papers were and were not
accepted, have made the job easier through their
understanding of how fitfully an editor works as he tries
to fit BRIA into an already too full schedule.
Their willingness to wait and then hurry up as the due
dates approached has made the job bearable.
The various reviewers have provided guidance to me and
valuable insights to the authors and deserve a special
thanks. Just as the authors must provide an
editor with manuscripts with potential, at a journal such
as BRIA it is the reviewers who identify that
potential and help to mold it. The most they can expect
for their labors is a footnote thanking anonymous
reviewer(s). Some have received the inadequate
reward of being able to list on their resume a line which
says,BRIA Editorial Board. Others
worked just as hard, but on an as-needed basis. Their
help often was more valuable because they brought rare
expertise to the review. Expertise which gave the authors
new insights into their own work. Many of these ad
hoc reviewers are not even accountants.
My predecessors helped in a variety of waysadvice,
a backlog of papers and the understanding a new editor so
often needs. They and the ABO Section entrusted to me a
journal whose reputation was on the rise. I hope that I
have continued their workeven if I am not named
Ken.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank all of
those who did the real work in transforming incoming
manuscripts into an attractive volume of BRIA.
Those with whom I have worked here at Pittfirst
Brenda Winders and then Barbara Turbaand Laurie
Rayburn, Beverly Harrelson, Jim De La and the able staff
in Sarasota.
To all of the above and to all of those whom I may have
inadvertently omitted, a Thank you to all and to
all a goodbye.
Jacob
G. Birnberg
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