If holding those in power accountable to We The People is the first mission of a Constitutionally protected free press, close second, perhaps, is telling the stories of those “People,” one at a time.

Michael Olesker, Baltimorean, is a consummate storyteller, a journalist, a chronicler of our times and those of us who live in and around this special town of Baltimore.

So Editor Frank Keegan has hired Michael Olesker, whose first column we publish today on Page Six, which is where you’ll find him at least four days a week going forward.

Olesker is carved from the traditional timber of Maryland journalism: Tough, resilient and capable of leaving a splinter from his journalistic lance every once in awhile.

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I read Michael Olesker for three years and liked his work when I was a newspaperman here before. I didn’t always agree with him —which is exactly the point.

The good ones, like Michael, make you think about the issues and appreciate the story and the writing if not the point of view.

You may love what he has to say. You may not agree with what he has to say.

But you will want to read him over and over again, we’re confident. As a journalist for nearly 30 years, he has been an aggravation from time to time for many a powerful person. But his readers enjoyed and appreciated his work.

A Baltimore resident since the age of four who grew up in public housing, he has a keen understanding of his city and its environs from both a personal and professional perspective. He also knows more about how things really work —or don’t — in this region and our state, and the people who make things happen — or don’t.

Expect lively, well-researched and sometimes maddening dispatches from him that will span the issues affecting our lives. As with all Examiner columnists, his views reflect his perspective.

He will launch many a debate around kitchen tables and water coolers. Be sure to write to him. Let him know about people or ideas about which he might want to write.

Support him or argue with him by sending your thoughts to The Examiner here at 400 E. Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21202, or at balt.letters@baltimoreexaminer.com. Join in the public debate.

As we approach our first anniversary, we pledge to continue to bring you not only news you have time to read, but news you can’t wait to read.

Bringing Michael Olesker on board The Examiner is part of our fulfillment of that promise to you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy New Year!

Michael Beatty is publisher of The Baltimore Examiner. He can be reached at mbeatty@baltimoreexaminer.com .