James C. Webb, who has been publisher of The Mountain Democrat in Placerville for 24 years, will retire July 31. "I have been in the newspaper business since the 1960s and have experienced dramatic changes in the way a newspaper is published," Webb said. "But in all that time, I am still in awe of what our staff created with each edition of the newspaper we publish. Even with modern technology, it still seems like a miracle when everything comes together and we deliver the sum of our efforts to our readers. Then, we start all over again on a brand-new version of what we do best. I will miss my role in this phenomenal process." Webb intends to enjoy working in his garden in the town of Camino, home of Apple Hill, and playing with his grandchildren. Webb has been a longtime member of the CNPA Board of Directors. He was also among the founding directors of the CNPA Foundation in 1993. Webb is succeeded in Placerville by Richard Esposito, who joined the company in April as general manager of The Mountain Democrat and also oversees Life Newspapers in El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park, and the Georgetown Gazette.
