“I hear you know how to produce a magazine.” That’s what I heard from the other end of the phone when I was introduced to John Plucenik. I had just gotten out of the magazine business after four years of producing a real estate publication in Southern Florida and was enjoying not living with deadlines.
I was glad to be out of it.
     John went on to explain his concept to create a magazine that focused on local businesses and the community- blurring the lines between the two. This was because people who own local businesses ARE the community. The themes would be creativity, culture, and change. We could bring out the hidden stories and talents that are taken for granted locally.
     As we talked, I gave him some advice and wished him luck. However, before I got off the phone, I had agreed to help him with the first issue. But that would be it.
     That was five years and 15 issues ago. You see, John can be a persuasive person. Before you know it, you’re doing things you never expected to be doing. I believe I speak for everyone on the staff. I attribute this trait to his passion and a giving nature.
     That’s the theme of our current issue- Giving. As Winston Churchill once said, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” That’s a strong trait of our local independent businesses. They give back to the charities, schools, and organizations in our area. By investing in them, you’re strengthening the fabric of the community.
     We asked local business owners to share with us testimonials of examples of how they give back to the community (see page 9).
     We also thought it would be appropriate to share an example of our own.
     What may not be widely known is that the Independent began as a side project. John’s full-time efforts are dedicated to running The Ark Ministries with his wife, Petra. The Ark is a group of selfless individuals who spend their days working inside prisons and helping new mothers through the FirstSteps program and His Resting Place Maternity Home.
     A testament to John’s positive influence is our publisher, Danny Klein. As a teen growing up in O’Karma Terrace, John worked as a mentor with Danny at the McGlynn Learning Center. The low-income housing youth outreach programs he started are still going strong today. One of the projects involved the creation of a small publishing company called Youth Power Press. Little did they know, then, that it would be the foundation for the Independent.
     John, by nature, does not care to be in the spotlight. Therefore, if you are reading, this it’s only through coercion.
     Our argument is that it’s important to share the stories of giving people in our community, to inspire others.
     So, I speak for the rest of the staff and everyone that he inspires by saying, “Thanks, John.”
     Jim O'Connell, creative director & the staff of the Independent

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