Schools Lose A Great Friend
Times Picayune  08-22-1996

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With most schools getting into full swing, I can't help but think about Joe
Miller, the Jefferson Parish Public School's former public information officer
who died this month.

Joe held the job for almost 20 years. He did more than dispense information to
the media. He was the editor of a weekly school system publication called
"it's tuesday." Joe also took photographs at School Board meetings when
students, teachers or parents were recognized for their hard work.

I first met Joe 18 years ago when I covered the School Board for what was then
the East Bank Guide newspaper. When I called to introduce myself, I received a
personal visit the next day. Joe brought with him the names, addresses and
phone numbers of every public school along with the names of the principals,
secretaries and parent-teacher contacts.

Soon after that, I met with Joe at the school system's central office - the
Media Center on the West Bank - where he introduced me to everyone around,
including then-superintendent Larry Sisung.

Joe and I had many things in common. We both graduated from Loyola University
with degrees in journalism and both worked in the newspaper business, sharing
a good amount of skepticism.

We also respected the beauty of the written word and the importance of being a
writer, of getting the story right. And last, but not least, we shared a love
of vodka.

I admired Joe for his kindness and willingness to help. If you needed
information for a story concerning an issue the school board was tackling, he
knew right away who or where to call. If he didn't, Joe got right on it and
before you knew it, you had the information you were seeking and you were on
your way to completing your story.

Joe, a resident of Metairie, seemed to be the type of person who didn't like a
fuss, who didn't want to be the center of attention. But he was the center in
the lives of a lot of people, at work and at home. That was evident at his
funeral. Hundreds attended the service, including family, friends and a large
number of both current and former employees from Jefferson Parish schools.

Whenever you spoke to Joe, he ended the conversation with "good deal." And I
couldn't help thinking of those words as I looked around St. Philip Neri
Church in Metairie and saw the outpouring of love for Joe and his family.

Joe will be missed but not forgotten.