Mike Lester, Rome News-Tribune’s editorial cartoonist since 2002, said, “Our reactions at the Rome News Tribune are our own. We want our readers to find our content unique. By that I mean that not only do we not follow a pack mentality, we go out of our way not to.”
Judges noted Lester’s “broad appeal,” adding “each panel was strong and wry while commenting on important social issues. There is humor but it is not disrespectful. We applaud the Rome News-Tribune, a small newspaper, for having a full-time editorial cartoonist on staff.”