About time, people.

Minnesota Monthly, which lost editor Andrew Putz to Boston a few months ago, has promoted managing editor Joel Hoekstra to the top job, according to a news release.

I worked with Hoekstra during my freelance days — I found him to be a true writer's editor — so I'm cheering, as I suspect are many other Twin Cities scribes. From afar, this seemed like the logical choice.

Joel has an appropriately glossy quote in the news release:

"It’s un-Minnesotan to brag, but I think our state may be as close to paradise-on-earth as you could ever find. Ten thousand lakes, great and generous people, dozens of kinds of food on a stick — what’s not to like about this state? I’m delighted to have the chance to helm a magazine that celebrates this great state and its residents."

Really, he's more interesting than this.

I first observed Joel's work when he edited the Twin Cities Reader's "Q Monthly," the gay publication begun when R.T. Rybak was publisher. Joel knows the town, he knows the talent and hopefully (within the confines of the monthlies' Top Doctors/Best Burgers obligations) he can continue to squeeze out some shekels for compelling long-form journalism.

It's tougher in a tough media environment, but if anyone can build on Putz's progress, it's Hoekstra.