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—By Valarie Lee—The Daily TimesFARMINGTON — When itcomes to local TV newscasters, Farmington has seen them come and seen them go, with localNBC affiliate KOBF TV 12viewed somewhat as a jumping off platform for budding journalists.It’s been one year since morning anchor McKenzie Martin has been on air here, but she’s not exactly a newcomer.Martin returned to her hometown of Farmington after graduating from Washington State University in Pullman, Wa., recognized as one of the top five TV journalism programs in the nation.“It’s been a great experience working here for KOBF,” Martin said. was lucky in that I grew up here and that was helpful, knowing the area, the people and having friends here to support and encourage me. And it’s made my transition easier because when you get started in this industry, you have to start out in a small market and pay your dues.”Her dues included internships in Washington state with NBC affiliate KING, FOX Sports Northwest and KAPP in Yakima.Martin said few TV news viewers know how hard it is to break into TV journalism, or how difficult and frantic the work actually can be.“People think being on TV isglamorous, but there’s a lot ofwork involved,” she said. “People think that sitting on a set and reading from a teleprompter is all we do.” .They couldn’t be more wrong.“For example, here in Farmington, the news reporters have to set up the interviews, make all the phone calls, operate the camera, write the story and edit the video. And even before that happens I have to drive by myself toMcKenzie Martin, KOBF TV 12the stories,” Martin said.“We’re literally a one-man band.”The good news, said Martin, is the news team here gets to produce and direct their own stories, which sometimes are picked up by the Albuquerque sister station.Even though she’s from Farmington, Martin found she still had a lot to learn about Native American culture.One of her more difficult stories involved covering the funeral of Navajo soldier Sgt. Lee Duane Todacheene in Luckachukai, Ariz.“I had never been to that remote community located on the Navajo reservation and had to use a map to find the jplace,” she recalled.“I’ve learned to be respectful of the cultural teaching and to understand each tribe is different. I believe the culture is unique and their stories and news events need to be shared.”Navajo officials have come to respect her, too.“We have a mutual understanding and she respects that we all have deadlines,” said Capt. Douglas Joe of Shiprock Criminal Investigations. “I try to get her the information as fast as I can. I usually have to go through headquarters in Window Rock, but it’s easier now to get her the information and I appreciate her understanding our limitations at times.”George Joe, public informa-mmv.v-Dave Watson/ The Daily TimesKOBF Anchorperson McKenzie Martin smiles at the end of her morning broadcast on Friday at the KOBF studio in Farmington.tion officer for the Navajo Nation Division of Health, agreed,“We worked with her when (U.S.Secretary of Human and Health Services) Tommy Thompson came to Navajo land,” Joe said. “She was very quick and . knowledgeable about the health issues of the Navajo people. But what was even more impressive was her knowledge of the Navajo government and cultural sensitivity she showed to our people.”As Martin looked back over the past year, she recalled some of her most difficult and amazing stories.Perhaps the greatest occurred during the first month she was here, when a small plane crashed into the Farmington Police Department in January 2004.“That night was absolutely razy,” she said. “The newsirector and evening anchor,Scott Michlin, was on vacation and (sportscaster) Randy Simon was doing a live-shot, so that night I had get both the evening news and the sports newscast ready — then I had to anchor both”There also came the day when she was ordered to leave the Jicarilla Apache reservation. Martin, who was doing on story on alleged tribal corruption, was escorted by police to the reservation line.“I was amazed that they actually followed us to the border,” she said. “I asked them why they wanted us to leave and they said they were following the tribal chairwoman’s orders.”Because of her line of work, Martin said she doesn’t take anything in life for granted.“We see a lot of crazy things(as journalists),” she said. “Weexperience things on a daily basis that most people don’t see. I’vehad to make the calls to love‘dlt;'ones of people who have died, or I’ve had to get video of fatal c^r wrecks. But through it all, I’velearned to appreciate each day we are given ”So, what are her plans for tomorrow?“When I began here at KOBF, my goal was to do a live shot for KOB,” said Martin, who enjoys the occasional live shot fro Farmington for the Albuquerque TV station.“I hope to get to Albuquerque KOB eventually, which is in thp top-50 market,” she said.Many KOBF viewers wouldn’t mind if Martin stuckdaround a while longer. After all, she is a hometown success story*Valarie Lee:
Newspaper Details
Farmington Daily Times
Farmington, New Mexico, US
Mon, Feb 07, 2005
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Sammi B.
NA 05 Dec 2021
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