January 2012

Sunshine Law in Action

Missouri’s legislative districts redrawn by judges in secret, 3 & 16 unannounced meetings. Newspapers react.

Legislative Reception, Day at the Capitol will be Feb. 8-9, watch for details.

Regular Features Phil Conger President 2 Obituaries 13 Bethany Republican-Clipper Scrapbook 10 NIE Report 16 On the Move 14 Jean Maneke 18 2012 President, Missouri Press Association

Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com Missouri newspapers not just doing same same ’ol-same ’ol

Delivering papers will be a challenge We’ll work this year to tighten up the Sunshine Law am looking forward to serving the Missouri Press Associa- by attorneys and governmental officials who believe that they tion this year. Kathy and I are anticipating renewing our can meet their legal obligations to inform the public through Ifriendship with our fellow newspaper folks from across their own websites. the state and with the great staff that we have at the MPA Missouri newspapers do a credible job of keeping our read- office in Columbia. ers informed about trustee sales, court hearings, upcoming I know that we will have a lot of challenges during 2012. elections, property sales and the One of our biggest concerns will be the implosion of the myriad of other notices that appear United States Postal Service. I recall that when in our newspapers. If I first began taking papers to the post office, we all MPA newspapers We have were greeted at the back door by a large staff of would place their already wit- eager postal workers who helped us unload the pages on the Legal van. Now you could fire a cannon in the post Notice Website, we nessed the office and not rouse anyone. would close the argu- As more post offices and sorting centers close, ment that our pub- blatant disre- we will have to develop new ways of getting our lications remain the publications to our subscribers. We probably best place to keep the gard for open will have to travel to more post offices to make electorate informed. meetings dur- sure that we get our papers in the hands of our thank President readers on a timely basis. And those of you who IJoe and Phyllis ing the recent have not already done so may want to look into May and the MPA Phil Conger House and electronic delivery of your newspaper. Bethany Republican-Clipper staff for a memo- I want to remind everyone that our postal rable convention in MPA President consultant, Ron Cunningham, is just a phone or Branson. Our board Senate reap- — sorry post office — an e-mail away to answer will be working with portionment your questions about delivery issues. Ron has Doug Crews and the helped our newspaper on a number of issues over the years. other folks at the MPA office on process. You will be hearing a lot during the coming months about making the convention on Sept. the Sunshine Law. We have already witnessed the blatant dis- 20-22 in Columbia another suc- regard for open meetings during the recent House and Senate cessful event. reapportionment process. The MPA staff, with the assistance Kathy and I usually start off the year by attending the of our legal hotline attorney, Jean Maneke, will be working Northwest Missouri Press Association’s January convention in on legislation to tighten up the Sunshine Law. balmy St. Joseph. But that convention has been moved to a t every occasion we need to press on our city councils, more hospitable June (time and details to be announced). In Aour school boards and other public bodies the importance the meantime, we hope to see all of you at the MPA/AP Day of keeping their meetings and records open to the public. at the Capitol in February. I hope that more newspapers will begin sending PDFs to Here’s wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous the Legal Notice Website. We are constantly under attack 2012!

PRESIDENT: Phil Conger, DIRECTORS: Joe May, Mexico Ledger Bethany Republican-Clipper Brad Gentry, Houston Herald FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Mark Maassen, Joe Spaar, The Odessan The Kansas City Star Richard Gard, St. Louis, Missouri Lawyers Media SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Jon Rust, Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian SECRETARY: Shelly Arth, Marshall Dennis Warden, Gasconade County Republican VOL. 80, NO. 1 Democrat-News Jim Robertson, Columbia Daily Tribune JANUARY 2012 TREASURER: Steve Curd, Independence Bill Miller Jr., Washington Missourian Official Publication of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Doug Crews Jeff Schrag, Springfield Daily Events Missouri Press ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Greg Baker NNA REPRESENTATIVE: Trevor Vernon, Association, Inc. EDITOR: Kent M. Ford Eldon Advertiser

MISSOURI PRESS NEWS (ISSN 00266671) is published every month for $12 per year by the Missouri Press Association, Inc., 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888; phone (573) 449-4167; fax (573) 874-5894; e-mail [email protected]; website www.mopress.com. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, MO 65201-9998. (USPS No. 355620). POSTMASTER: Please send changes of address to Missouri Press Association, 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888.

www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 Redistricting secrecy baffles citizenry tion that we are not going to operate in the state constitution allows redistrict- This editorial appeared public session,” said the chair, Judge Lisa ing commissions to hold private “ex- in the St. Joseph News- White Hardwick of the Western Dis- ecutive meetings” as frequently as they trict Court of Appeals. choose. To that point, Press before the recent “Our job is to produce he would not say when unveiling of Missouri’s two maps, and that is or how often the panel new legislative districts what we are doing at has met. this point.” We know political t’s times like this when the average The panel did ac- disagreements make citizen must wonder, “What exactly cept public testimony the work of the com- Iis so sensitive about the public’s in a session in Jeffer- mission difficult. business that it cannot be discussed in son City. But Missouri Republicans, who public?” Solicitor General Jim dominate in the legis- The question arises now because a Layton, who serves Flouting intent lature, prefer the status panel of six judges working to redraw as the judges’ legal of Sunshine Law quo and Democrats boundary lines for Missouri legislative adviser, said that’s as would like to see big- districts has decided it will deliberate far as the public will ger changes in district in secret. be brought into this boundaries. … Nothing in state law compels this process that ultimately will determine What we don’t know is why these group of prominent jurists, all presum- which citizens will be grouped together disagreements cannot be aired in public ably civic-minded officeholders, to meet for purposes of choosing representatives. — for days on end if that is what it takes in secret. No in-depth explanation is This judgment turns on Mr. Layton’s for the commission to reach reasonable offered, either. determination that, no matter what the compromises and report out its recom- “The commission has taken the posi- Missouri Sunshine Law might intend, mendations.

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Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 3 ‘We’re trying to really hit on the idea that it’s fresher news.’

Phil Conger is 2012 MPA President Publisher’s grandfather moved to Bethany in 1927

Republican-Clipper a partner with other publications in printing plant in Iowa.

o m e n e w s p a p e r readers in Harrison SCounty may want their headlines on iPads or Blackberries, but not all of them. They do, however, want their news when they want it. Missouri Press Associa- tion’s new president, Phil Conger, can testify to that. He’s the publisher and edi- Phil Conger, MPA’s new president, sits in his office in the Republican-Clipper building just off the downtown square in Bethany. Conger is the third generation of his family to publish the Harrison County-seat tor of the Bethany Republi- newspaper. He’s the first from his family to be president of MPA. can-Clipper. “We do a big business in counter Conger published the Unionville Re- Phil Conger told about succeeding sales, and they need to be there right publican for many years before moving Vincent. at noon,” Conger said during a Dec. 1 to Bethany in 1927 to buy the Republi- “My father passed away on Me- interview in his office. “They get mad can-Clipper. His son, Vincent Conger, morial Weekend, 1978,” he wrote. at you if you’re not there.” took over when Erwin died in 1951. “(Printing plant partner) Jim Avey and About 800 of the I were in Ottawa, Kan., 2,850 Clippers printed learning how to run a each Wednesday morn- Harris press, the same ing are sold through model that we had just three machines and installed at our print- seven retail counters in ing plant, when we got Bethany and one each in the call that he had suf- Eagleville and Ridgeway. fered a heart attack. We The retailers get a nickel raced up I-35, but he for each paper sold. had already passed away onger, 66, isn’t the by the time we reached Cfirst in his family Bethany. to publish the Clipper, “Dad had been ill for but he is the first to be a couple of years so I President of MPA. He had been doing some of was elected at the asso- his work for quite some ciation’s Convention in time. But I officially be- Branson in September, came the publisher at and he succeeded Joe his death. May, publisher of The Kathy Conger, advertising manager for the Republican-Clipper and first lady “He passed away on a Mexico Ledger, on Jan. 1. of MPA in 2012, shows the front page of the weekly edition in the newspaper Friday, and my mother, Erwin “Skipper” office. In the top center of the photo is the newspaper’s clipper ship “mascot.” Bedonna, and Kathy

4 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 and I and my brother had Seven correspondents “in to make funeral arrange- towns from wide spots in the ments for Tuesday and road to 400-500 people” email then put out the paper on to the paper news about over- Wednesday. Pretty tough night guests and church din- week, to say the least. ners. “Ironically my grand- outh Harrison School Dis- father died on a Friday Strict in Bethany is the only of Memorial Weekend in one in the county that has a the early 1950s, and so football team. Coaches in the did my mother in 1989.” other four districts email their onger still works full basketball game information to Ctime. “I don’t have the Clipper. any choice,” he said with “I get out on Friday nights an edge of frustration in with my camera and get pic- his voice. “Ironically, we’ve tures,” Conger said. got several J School gradu- Phil Conger takes pride in showing off these two pieces of The Clipper and four Iowa ates from Bethany, but memorabilia he’s collected. On the back of the newspaper holder on newspapers opened Printcraft they’ve all moved away.” the right is a simple block-letter inscription, “WIFE’S SIDE.” Inc., a central plant, in Lamo- Phil Conger, a self- ni, Iowa, in 1978. It prints the described “news hawk in every form,” ties. Bethany clings to the left shoulder partners’ papers, commercial jobs and and his wife, Kathy — the Clipper’s ad of I-35, midway between Kansas City, other publications. department — get help from two full- 100 miles south, and Des Moines to The Clipper and the Caldwell County timers and two part-timers. the north. News out of Hamilton are partners in The Clipper serves five school dis- The Clipper building, owned by the the “Pony Express” shopper. Its 9,000 tricts and a handful of villages in Har- newspaper since 1968, sits just off the copies are printed on Monday morn- rison County, which lies just left of square a block from the courthouse in ings. center in the top tier of Missouri coun- the center of downtown. As a result of the sparse population

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Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 5 Kathy and Phil Conger stand out- side the front of the Republican- Clipper office in Bethany. The paint- ‘I think how to ing on the sidewalk is a fund-raiser make money on of a Bethany High School group. digital news and online shop- the Internet is ping provided by the Internet, serving local readers and ad- going to be our vertisers will keep community newspapers going. But they big challenge. must respond to the challenges and opportunities. Training and “I don’t agree that newspa- pers are going to be dead in 10 education are years,” he said. “I think how to make money on the Internet is going to be going to be our big challenge. Training and education are go- important in ing to be important in meeting that challenge.” meeting that The Clipper has a digital edition and uses Twitter and challenge.’ Facebook to send snippets of stories to readers. bout 100 readers subscribe of northern Missouri and A to the online edition, a few Bethany’s size and loca- of them are in Bethany. “They tion, its retailers thrive by just like to see all of the photo- serving an extensive area. graphs in color,” Conger said. “We’re second in the As President of MPA, Con- state after Branson in ‘pull ger wants to do what he can to factor,’” Conger said. He keep the regional press associa- explained pull factor as the tions strong. He is one of four amount of retail revenue members of his family who generated relative to popu- have served as president of lation. Sometimes the pull the Northwest Missouri Press factor of Bethany, popula- Association: His grandfather tion around 3,100, tops Erwin in 1935, his father Vin- that of Branson, popula- cent in 1949, Phil in 1974 and tion 10,500, he said. Kathy in 1992. arming and retail sustain the lo- Kathy continues to serve Fcal economy, and the sales taxes Northwest Press as its secretary, they generate “really drive our city,” a position she’ll likely hold until he said. she’s had enough. “Farming is the main thing, and Like many Missouri coun- farmers are doing well.” Retailers ties, Harrison has only one have been hurt by WalMart, Con- newspaper, the Republican- ger said, “but we still have a nice Clipper. When Erwin Conger men’s clothing store on the square.” moved to Bethany in 1927 Pettijohn Auto Center adds to The Congers are graduates of the University of and bought the Republican, he the retail traffic, serving a wide area Missouri. License plates on their vehicle display fierce had competition in town from with an array of makes and models. loyalty to MU sports teams. (Phil Conger made this three or four newspapers, in- During the interview for this photograph.) cluding the Clipper. story, Kathy Conger returned to the “My grandfather bought out one Clipper office from a round of morn- Sales calls take her to small towns of the publishers twice,” Conger said. ing sales calls. “They’re running some around Harrison County and to Leon Erwin failed to include a non-compete Christmas promotions,” she said, hap- and Lamoni in Iowa. agreement in the first transaction. py with her results. Conger believes that in spite of the “That’s what mother told me.”

6 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 New MPA president grew up working in father’s back shop Daughter is design director Phil and Kathy Con- ger pose in the office for Albuquerque Journal of the Repubican- Clipper with their two hil Conger, MPA’s 2012 President, full-time employees. Pbegan sweeping floors, cleaning the At back left is Angela saw cage and putting hand-set type back Ragan who man- in the cases at his father’s newspaper, the ages the paper’s website. At right is Bethany Republican-Clipper, when he Carla Hillyard, who was in high school. keeps the books, He received a degree from the Mis- manages circula- souri School of Journalism in 1968 and tion and the paper’s returned to the Clipper as its editor, country correspon- dents and helps writing most of the front-page news, Kathy with advertis- sports articles and editorials. ing. Phil writes the In 1969 he married Kathy Stroup news; Kathy man- of Fredericktown. They had met af- ages the advertising. ter Kathy transferred to MU from Mineral Area College. Her de- gree is in home economics. Kathy joined her husband at the newspa- per, where she is now the advertis- ing manager. The day after returning to Beth- any from their honeymoon, Phil went back to work at the Clipper. The press broke down, not an uncommon occurrence, and Phil didn’t return home for two days, he said. His mother, who also worked at the newspaper, called Kathy at 4 a.m. and asked her to get dressed so she could deliver papers to the post offices around the county. That was Kathy’s introduction to the newspaper business, Conger Phil Conger, center, and other members of the Bethany Rotary Club listen as Doug Crews, said. executive director of the Missouri Press Association, talks about Missouri’s newspaper history The Congers’ daughter, Ra- at the Dec. 1 Rotary luncheon meeting. The HyVee grocery store in Trenton caters the weekly chel, grew up working in the Clip- Rotary lunch in the Bethany Community Center. Kathy Conger is out of the photo to the right. per’s newsroom, mailroom and darkroom. She attended the Missouri came from that piece. It also included of the community that have been an School of Journalism and now is the this paragraph: important part of the newspaper dur- design director for the Albuquerque “Over the years, there has been a suf- ing the past quarter of a century.” Journal in New Mexico. ficient number of murder trials, bank he Congers are active in the Rotary hil’s brother, Michael, another robberies, major floods, blizzards and TClub and Chamber of Commerce. Pgraduate of the J School, attended other calamities to make life interesting He’s on the Bethany Library Board and law school at UMKC. He practices on for the newspaper editor. is a member of the Harrison County the Plaza in Kansas City. His son, Max, “But just as fulfilling have been the Genealogy Society and the Harrison is a student in the School of Journalism. high school football and basketball County Historical Society. About 10 years ago, at the request of games, the occasional trips to state Conger was elected in September the late historian and retired professor playoffs, the accomplishments of stu- to be the Missouri Press Association’s Dr. William Taft, Conger wrote a brief dents, the opening of new businesses, 141st President. He took office Jan. 1. autobiography. Much of this material and the everyday comings and goings

Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 7 David Bradley elected chairman of University Board of Curators avid Bradley, publisher of the St. DJoseph News-Press, has been elected to be the next chairman of the University hese individuals and organizations made recent contributions to Mis- of Missouri System Board of Curators. Tsouri Press Foundation. Donations to the Foundation are wonderful Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Bradley to tributes to Missouri newspaper people, and they make excellent year-end the board in 2009. His term will expire gifts to programs that support and advance the newspaper industry. Jan. 1, 2015. To make a donation with a credit card, call (573) 449-4167, or send Bradley was elected chairman during checks to Missouri Press Foundation, 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201. a meeting of the board on Dec. 9 in St. Louis. He will service as chairman of the board of curators for one year. Missouri Press Foundation He succeeds Warren K. Erdman, Jim and Debbie Robertson, Columbia whose term as chairman included the James A. Gierke, Lake Ozark loss of System President Gary Forsee, Bill D. and Carlene Y. Williams, Thayer who resigned to care for his ailing wife; Warden Publishing Co., Owensville the hiring of a new basketball coach, the move from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference and the Joplin Globe Documentary Video hiring of a new system president. James A. Gierke, Lake Ozark Bradley was president of the Mis- News-Press & Gazette Co., St. Joseph souri Press Association in 2007. Washington Missourian Newspaper in Education Program Quality Reward Travel, Fenton, Mo. Letter Book Buzz Program Reader appreciates United Bank of Union St. Clair Kiwanis Club Northeast News in K.C. J&W Cycles, Washington o the editor of The Northeast News, Washington Rotary Club TKansas City: Unnerstall & Unnerstall, PC, Washington In a day and time when true “jour- DeWitt Insurance Agency; Curt Holzem Agency, Washington nalism” is nothing but a shadow of its Bank of Sullivan; Union Banking Center; Labadie Banking Center former self, I want to commend The Lewis & Associates, Ltd., Union Northeast News and their staff for rais- ing the bar and setting the standard for excellence in “community journalism.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper In Education Program Every week, I marvel at the depth of Ernst & Young, LLP, Clayton 17 reporting, the variety of stories and the excellence in editorial content provided Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame by “my” paper, especially considering Mr. and Mrs. William L. Miller, Sr., Washington the size of The Northeast News staff. Other publications, large and small, In Memory of Les Simpson throughout the Kansas City area should The Charles Hedberg Family take notice. My hat’s off to Michael Bushnell, In Memory of Myrtle Taft and Dr. William H. Taft Christine Adams, Leslie Collins and the Joe and Kathy Snyder, San Marcos, Texas entire Northeast News family. Dave Berry, Bolivar At a time when many throughout the city question the relevance of Kansas I City’s Historic Northeast, you embrace it n Memory of James C. Kirkpatrick and bring it to the forefront every week! Doris H. Kirkpatrick, Warrensburg John Baccala Kansas City, Mo.

8 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 Louisiana Press-Journal joins ‘Free to Tweet’ First Amendment project akeway Publishers, Inc., the parent L company of the Louisiana Press- Journal and a number of other Missouri newspapers, joined the “Free to Tweet” project in December to celebrate the First Amendment. Lakeway provided a $300 prize to encourage local students to participate in the national observance and compe- tition, which began Dec. 15 — Bill of Rights Day — and ended Dec. 31. Free to Tweet was a project of 1 for All, a national program to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms. The James S. and James L. Knight Foundation provided ‘Trustees’ video presented to area high schools 22 $5,000 scholarships for the Free to The Washington Missourian recently donated copies of the Emmy-winning program “Trustees Tweet competition. for the Public: 200 Years of Missouri Newspapers” to high schools in the area. A personal pre- The contest encouraged students to sentation was made at Washington High School. Standing, from left, are Dawn Kitchell from post their thoughts and videos about The Missourian and Missouri Press Association and Foundation, which produced the video, the First Amendment on social media. and William Miller Sr., editor and publisher of The Missourian. Seated, from left, are Jennifer To help local students participate, the Wirthwein, gifted and language arts teacher at Washington Middle School, and Ann Loesing, Washington High School library media specialist. Wirthwein worked with Kitchell to write a Press-Journal invited them to use its Your teacher’s guide to go along with the video. (Washington Missourian photo) News web page to post their comments. Where do your readers get their energy?

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Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 9 motion in the Nov. 23 editions of the Belle Banner and the Bland Courier. To be eligible to win free turkeys or Scrapbook packages of bacon, residents had to clip • Union — The Missouri School of The money was a percentage of the coupons from the papers and deposit Journalism has reached an articulation advertising proceeds from the paper’s them in boxes at the participating busi- agreement with East Central College 2011 Breast Cancer Awareness edition. nesses. that will allow ECC students to transfer seamlessly to the J School. • Lebanon — Santa and Mrs. Claus • Joplin — The Globe has begun car- The agreement states that ECC stu- visited with children Nov. 25 at the rying an internet crime mapping ser- dents who earn an associate of arts in Lebanon Daily Record office to kick vice on its website, joplinglobe.com, journalism degree are guaranteed that off the holiday that derives information MU will accept their credits. ECC of- shopping season from the records of local fers three journalism courses: introduc- in downtown law enforcement agen- tion to journalism, news writing, and Lebanon. cies. diversity. The Colorado-based • Ste. Gen- internet service Crime • Albany — The Ledger now has an evieve — For Reports, which up- online edition that is available for $22 more than two dates information daily, per year. decades the Ste. can be accessed on the Genevieve Her- Crime & Courts page of • Chillicothe — About 70 vendors ald has contrib- the website. participated in this year’s Constitution- uted $1 of each Tribune Holiday Bazaar held in the new subscrip- • Maryville — Jef- Chillicothe High School gym and com- tion in Decem- ferson Elementary in mons area after the Holiday Parade on ber to the “Read Maryville celebrated Nov. 19. the Herald and Children’s Book Week The C-T kicked off its 28th annual Help Feed the in November with the Food for the Needy drive on Nov. 22 Needy” cam- theme “In the News.” with the goal of collecting $10,000 in paign. Nodaway News Leader cash and food items to help brighten From re- publisher Kay Wilson the holiday season for area families. newed subscrip- was the guest speaker tions, 50 cents is for the final event, a • Dexter — Tom Love of Dexter given to the East sleepover in the library. won the Daily Statesman Football Chal- Missouri Action Wilson read a book lenge and promptly donated the 32- Agency, which Purple peacock feathers adorn to the group and told inch television set he won to the Stod- provides various this Christmas tree at the St. Louis about the beginning of dard County Children’s Home. services to coun- American. (St. Louis American photo) her weekly paper. Dur- ty residents. ing the evening, the • St. Louis — Longtime Post-Dis- pupils created their own newspaper, patch cartoonist Amadee Wohlschlae- • St. Louis — Each of the five de- Library Sleepover News, that chronicled ger observed his 100th birthday anni- partments at the St. Louis American the week’s events. versary on Dec. 3 at the Mari de Villa decorated its own Christmas tree. The Retirement Community in Town and editorial staff hung reporter’s note- • Washington — Managing editor Country. books all over its tree. Ed Pruneau was recognized for 35 years Among the guests were Cardinals Purple peacock feathers adorned the of service to the Washington Missourian Baseball Hall of Famer Red Schoen- tree in the lobby. during the annual employee recogni- dienst, Post-Dispatch cartoonist Dan tion party on Nov. 17. Martin, former Post-Dispatch sports • Cameron — More than 500 Recognized for 30 years of service writer Dave Dorr and Post-Dispatch pounds of food and $300 in cash were were Steve Luecke of the sheetfed sports writer Rick Hummel. donated to the Cameron Food Pan- printing department, Sharon Pruessner, try from the food drive conducted by graphic artist; and Brenda Klekamp, • Moberly — Monitor-Index pub- Cameron Newspapers on Nov. 18. Do- composition supervisor. lisher Bob Cunningham presented a nations were collected at the holiday $350 donation from the newspaper to tree lighting ceremony at a local park. • Nevada — Rusty Murry, a reporter the Run for Her Life campaign. The 5K for the Nevada Daily Mail, has received run raises funds to help women in the • Belle — Tri-County Newspapers the Missouri Police Chiefs Association community get mammograms. sponsored a Thanksgiving coupon pro- Mary Phelan Media Award. Awards

10 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 were presented Dec. 8 at the MPCA Checkpoint. gram sought donations of cleaning sup- Awards Banquet in Jefferson City. plies, warm clothing, personal items, MPCA presents its Media Award • Hannibal — The Courier-Post pet food and supplies, cookies and to those employed in the media “who partnered with Douglass Community holiday decorations. stand out in their conduct and service Services for a Holiday Hope program Common items requested by those to the public in reporting information to match donors with needy families in the program were warm socks, small that is both accurate and fair.” and elderly singles and couples. heaters and throws to help them keep In its citation, the MPCA said Murry Donors could give cash or buy gifts warm. “consistently reports the facts of every for those in the program. significant event in a professional man- • Platte City — The Landmark held ner. His commitment to integrity and • Marble Hill — The Banner Press its annual Christmas open house 4-8 fairness is exemplary.” joined with the Missouri Department p.m. Dec. 9 at the Comfort Inn. Last spring Murry participated in the of Health and Senior Services to collect Residents were invited to enjoy re- first Nevada Citizen’s Police Academy items for the elderly. Each week the pa- freshments, meet with staff members and wrote a news article on each class. per published a list of families and their and sign up for door prizes. Since then he has been on a ride-along needs. with officers and participated in a DWI The Christmas for the Elderly pro- • Troy — The Lincoln County Jour-

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Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 11 nal on Nov. 28 launched its “entirely new website, created from scratch.” Publisher Kathy Colbert said the new site “streamlines navigation, loads faster and does a better job of highlight- ing all that the website has to offer.”

• Macon — The Chronicle-Her- ald now has a mobile website — m.maconch.com — with news updates, sports and entertainment. New features will be added, including multimedia, publisher Pat Quinley said in a story about the site.

• Piedmont — The Wayne County Journal-Banner urged holiday shoppers to keep their dollars at home to help the local economy. Its “Come Home Pregame party in Hearnes Fieldhouse for Christmas” promotion pointed out Kathy and Phil Conger of The Republican-Clipper in Bethany visit with retired publisher David that shopping at home helps create “Scoop” Peery at the Nov. 19 pregame tailgate party in the Hearnes Center in Columbia. Missouri Press members and their guests attended the football game versus Texas Tech after jobs, funds city services through sales the party. Phil Conger is the 2012 President of Missouri Press Association. Peery, of Pleasant taxes and contributes to community Hope, published the Smithville Lake Herald before retiring. development. The social, shopping and snacking event encouraged people to go from business to business checking decora- tions, sampling treats, entering draw- Lying would have been policy ings and shopping for Christmas items. among those we’re thanking today. The paper encouraged people to visit “The Justice Department decided that all of the local merchants, not just those Editorial misleading the American people would participating in the promotion. be wrong, and made the right decision to Open-government groups pull the proposed legislation,” Grassley • Hopkins — The Journal held an pressure congressmen said in a press release. open house during regular business to turn back effort The current system allowed under hours on Dec. 15. It invited readers to the FOIA isn’t a lot better. It lets agen- stop in for refreshments and sign up for to give agencies cies — such as the FBI — tell those drawings. authority to deny requesting information that they can neither confirm nor deny the existence • Thayer — The South Missourian existence of records of records. But, at least it doesn’t provide News and other papers of Areawide Me- THE JOPLIN GLOBE for scuttling the request. Had this revi- dia, which is owned by Rust Commu- sion occurred, the Department of Justice nications, now have up to eight pages embers of the public, even though could have responded as if the records of color in each edition. Mthey probably didn’t realize it, won never existed. Rust has partnered with Commu- a big victory (in November) when the Open-government groups are also nity Publishers of Harrison, Ark., in U.S. Department of Justice had second to thank for applying the pressure in a new venture, Ozark Printing LLC. thoughts about telling outright lies. September when this measure was first With a new building in Harrison and A proposed Freedom of Information announced. The Freedom of Informa- upgraded equipment, Ozark Printing Act measure from the DOJ would have tion Act was enacted in 1966 to give provides color in the publications of allowed federal agencies to tell requesters the American public greater access to Areawide Media and eight other Rust- of certain law enforcement or national the federal government’s records. The owned newspapers and three Commu- security records that the information did Electronic Freedom of Information Act nity Publishers-owned newspapers in not exist — even if it did. Amendment of 1996 then expanded the the northern Arkansas and southern After several members of Congress scope and included electronic records Missouri area. balked at this blatant effort to sidestep as well. transparency, the DOJ withdrew the But, nowhere in the act does it say measure. that it’s OK to pretend like the records Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is never existed.

12 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 Mapping panel continues secrecy Meetings to draw new Senate districts not announced as required by Sunshine Law By RUDI KELLER / Columbia Tribune agree on a plan. The appellate commis- mat for the legislative branch, an ad- new state Senate apportionment sion also redrew lines for the 163 Mis- ministrative function, Maneke said. “It map designed to allay constitu- souri House districts. is clearly an entity created by the con- A tional concerns has stirred up The bipartisan commissions that stitution, and they are obligated to fol- new controversies for the Appellate Ap- met this summer posted their meet- low the Sunshine Law.” portionment Commission. ings, said Yancy Williams of Columbia, A longtime court critic, James Harris On (Dec. 9), the commission an- a Republican member of the Senate of Better Courts for Missouri, said the nounced it had withdrawn the map it Apportionment Commission. Wil- actions are “alarming. There are several filed Nov. 30 in favor of a new plan for liams is on the staff of Sen. Kurt Schae- things I am concerned about. The one the 34 Senate districts. The revised map fer, R-Columbia. branch that shouldn’t operate in secrecy was signed by four of the commission’s “I am deeply concerned that the pro- is the courts.” six members. The changes, the news cess started out as a public process and he issue of split counties also could release said, were designed to allay con- it turned into a process that was con- Tcreate legal problems for the map. cerns about counties being split among ducted behind closed doors in a veil of An ideal Senate district should have multiple districts. darkness,” Williams said. 176,145 people. According to the Mis- The meeting was not posted nor was ean Maneke, an attorney for the Mis- souri Constitution, counties with fewer it open, as required by the Open Meet- Jsouri Press Association, said she has than that number are not supposed to ings and Records Law for most state no doubt the commission should have be split. If the population is more than boards and commissions. And some operated in public, with posted meet- that amount, the remainder after a dis- question whether the commission had ings. The Sunshine Law applies to public trict is drawn is not supposed to be split the authority, once it had submitted a bodies created by statute or the consti- again unless it is enough for another full map, to revise it. tution for legislative or administrative district. “What is their statutory or constitu- purposes, including judicial bodies that The new map fixed three of those tional authority for doing that?” state meet in an administrative capacity. splits but created a new one in Lafay- Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, said The commission is creating the for- ette County. after hearing the new map had been submitted. Kelly said he believes the commissian should have done its work and a board member of the Missouri in open, posted meetings. Obituaries Press Association. He was also a mem- “It is just amazing disregard for the Louisiana ber of the board of directors of the law,” he said. Columbia Missourian, the Missouri The new plan was submitted be- James Gierke School of Journalism’s newspaper. fore the constitutional deadline, set ames “Jim” Alan Gierke, 64, Sunrise He was preceded in death by his parents, for (Dec. 16), so the commission was JBeach, formerly of Louisiana, died, Victor and Laura Gierke, and two sons, within its discretion to make changes, Dec. 20, 2011, in Fayetteville, Ark. of Jacob in 1989 and Christian in 2010. said Judge Lisa White Hardwick of the a brain aneurysm He is survived by one son, his wife, Sue, Western District Court of Appeals and suffered in October. and their three children; and two sisters. chair of the commission. She referred Mr. Gierke was the other questions to the commission’s le- former president and Junction City, Kan. gal adviser, Assistant Attorney General owner of the Louisi- James Layton. ana Press-Journal, William M. Hays anci Gonder, spokeswoman for the Bowling Green illiam M. Hays, 61, Junction City, NAttorney General Chris Koster, Times, Press-Journal WKan., a former editor in Indepen- said (Dec. 12) the office would have no Printing, and weekly dence and Marshall, died Nov. 3, 2011. comment “due to the potential for liti- newspapers in Troy, Mr. Hays was the city editor of the gation related to this issue.” Layton has Elsberry, Hermann, Independence Examiner from 1975-76 said a provision allowing for “executive” Jim Gierke and New Haven. He and managing editor of the Marshall sessions of the reapportionment com- was the founder of the Lincoln County Democrat-News from 1978 to 1981. mission provided a blanket exemption Journal in Troy. He also worked at the Wichita Eagle, from the Sunshine Law. Mr. Gierke was a life-long resident Pittsburg Morning Sun and Topeka The reapportionment task fell to the of Louisiana until his retirement in Capital-Journal in Kansas. panel of judges after a bipartisan Senate 2002. He was a charter board mem- Mr. Hays leaves a son, a daughter and Apportionment Commission could not ber of the Missouri Press Foundation one grandchild.

Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 13 on the faculty at the Poynter Institute. (Columbia Daily Tribune) Circuit judge suspended sentence, closed file On• Stover the — The longtimeMove editor A 1969 MU graduate, Johnson be- • Independence of the Morgan County Press, Connie gan duties at RJI in 2004, four years — Steve Curd, Viebrock, retired effective Dec. 31. before the center opened. publisher of the Johnson worked at The Kansas City Examiner, resigned • St. James — Nickol Beckemeier Star, where her team earned a Pulitzer effective Dec. 31 to has joined the Leader-Journal to write for coverage of the Hyatt skywalk di- pursue other inter- news and help lo- saster, then became managing editor at ests. cal businesses with the Phoenix Gazette in Arizona. Curd is the newly their advertising. She later was promoted to executive elected treasurer of A native of editor and senior vice president at The MPA. He was pub- Maine, Beckemeier Arizona Republic, a larger sister paper. lisher of the Exam- graduated in De- Before joining RJI, Johnson served iner for five years. Steve Curd cember 2010 from William Woods University in Ful- ton. She was mar- ried in June 2010 to Nickol Beckemeier Karl Beckemeier, a master’s student at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla.

• Washington — Nancy Sebastian is the new sponsorship coordinator for The Missourian’s youth outreach pro- gram, Missourian In Education. Sebastian will raise funds to support the literacy programs of the newspaper and will work closely with Dawn Kitch- ell, The Missourian’s director of educa- tional services. Joplin Globe photographers, from left, Roger Nomer, T. Rob Brown and B.W. Shepherd look at Sebastian is retired from a 30-year their work in a copy of “32 Minutes in May: The Joplin Tornado.” The book, published by The teaching career in the Pattonville School Globe, features the photographers’ work after the May 22 tornado. (Joplin Globe photo) District in St. Louis.

• Levittown, Pa. — Newspaper pub- Joplin Globe project honored lisher Calkins Media has named Mark Contreras, a former Missouri newspa- Editor & Publisher award for ‘Forever Bound’ per executive, as its new CEO. he Joplin Globe has received an EPPY a way to tell the story of this group of Contreras, a former executive with Taward for the August project “For- seniors who will be ‘forever bound’ by Pulitzer Inc. and an advertising direc- ever Bound: The JHS Class of 2011” for the tornado.” tor for The Kansas City Star, also is a Best News or Event Feature on a Website Stark and her staff also worked with a former chair of the Newspaper Associa- in the Under 250,000 Unique Monthly Joplin High School class of 2011 gradu- tion of America and the American Press Visitors class. ate on the project. Institute. Presented by Editor & Publisher “We were especially pleased to have Calkins Media, based in Levittown, magazine, the awards “honor the best Sarah Sticklen, a JHS 2011 graduate is a private company that operates six media-affiliated websites across 43 di- and editor of the Spyglass, the Joplin papers in Pennsylvania, one each in verse categories.” High School newspaper, working on Florida and New Jersey and the website The project was a Joplin Globe print the project,” said Stark. “My journalists phillyburbs.com. It also owns TV sta- and online package covering the Joplin and photographers put a lot of passion tions in Sarasota and Tallahassee, Fla. High School class of 2011, their gradu- into documenting the story. Their work ation, and the stories of students in the speaks for itself.” • Columbia — Pam Johnson, 65, the wake of the May 22 tornado. The Forever Bound project is found first director of the Reynolds Journal- “The project was one we knew would on the Globe’s website at www.joplin- ism Institute at the Missouri School of be important to our community,” said globeonline.com/tornado/. Journalism, retired in November. Carol Stark, the Globe’s editor; “This was

14 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 Elementary students produce newspaper (From a story by Rayma Bekebrock your feelings hurt easily, being an editor When this writer/editor took their Davis, Lamar Democrat editor) is probably not for you, right?” photo, there was a photo lesson con- IBERAL—What a delightful time That certainly is a good point. cerning what should happen any time a it was for this editor to meet with …The discussion also included some photo is taken. They knew the photogra- LMrs. Linda Krueth’s after school history with names of famous Missouri pher needs to get the names of the people students. The youngsters from third to journalists... We talked about Mark in the photo correct. They didn’t know fifth grade produce a school newspaper, Twain. They knew he was an author, the photographer also needs to match a project they began this school year, and but did not know he was a newspaper- names to faces in the photo, but as they so far they have had two editions full man first. said, “That makes sense.” of stories about classes, individuals and student successes. When they talk about their newspa- per, their faces light up, and they have plenty to talk and write about. They were excited to know how The Lamar Democrat works. …We began with the question, what is a journal? They had the answers. Something to keep notes on…something to write a story in... So, then, why is newspaper considered Public Notices. journalism? “That’s easy,” one young reporter said, Construction bid notices, “You take notes and write a story.” published in a legally- qualified local newspaper,Q Question The students have practiced taking AA Q Answer notes and interviewing and writing sto- inform citizens how their ries; they even have an advice column. tax money is being spent …We discussed everything from how and inform construction the paper is built from beginning to end; contractors about public how we decide on what to print and how projects on which to bid. The County to choose letters to the editor. One was is planning interested in the crosswords because she Hardly a week passes and her grandpa work them together a major every week. They wanted to know how without some small notice to get a job in the newspaper and where being printed in this construction to go to school. They wanted to know newspaper. These notices, project. How how many people work in the Democrat required by law, affect and how young a writer can begin. you and your family and do you know? One young writer said, “If you get friends.

They show how your — Correction — government is being run, akeway Publishers Inc. owns The how much money is being LVandalia Leader, in addition to spent and where. They newspapers in several other Missouri towns. keep you in touch with your The story in the December issue of government through this This Missouri Press News about Lakeway’s Jeff newspaper. Newspaper Fishman becoming the new president Supports of the Tennessee Press Association left That’s the whole idea. Your Right Vandalia off the list of towns in Missouri to Know where Lakeway has newspapers. Ron Schott is the general manager/ Download ads like this one to promote the printing of Public Notices in newspapers. You can editor of The Leader. get the ads at http://www.mopress.com/publicnotice.php.

Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 15 Newspaper In Education Report Patriotic Tails of the Pals Civil War By Chris Stuckenschneider CHAPTER 1: Chat with Chuck

Shake my excitement, and not one whit of sappy ro- wasn’t something our just-elected Presi- paw— mance. Let’s kick the story off right, and dent, Abraham Lincoln, took kindly to. Parents reading newspapers pleased to if I fail to deliver, you can cut my rations Honest Abe felt this was kind of rebel- meet your down to Pekingese portions. lious of the South—and that’s how acquaintance. I remember the Rebels made up the The name’s Confederacy. The rest of the states were Charles “unified,” which means they were all Tyler Bundebar, chummy with each other. These states but you can call me stayed in the United States of America as Chuck. one Union. biggest influence on young My pal Walt and I share a rambling two- Trust you now have a better understand- story in a riverside Missouri town, a ing of the primary reason for the war— house with a wide front porch, great for and can identify the two sides that did tail thumpin’ and enjoying tall glasses of battle. With that we’ll set our story aside lemonade. for a bit. Enough yapping, I need a quick Just lately, the master and I’ve been out bite to sustain life, and a nap next to there a lot, Walt reading and recollect- Walt’s creaky rocker. ‘Reading Across Missouri’ begins this month ing facts in a journal he’s keeping on the Hope you’ll tune in for the next chapter. Civil War. Walt’s a true-blue reenactor, You’re sure to lap up the tale passed outfitted like a Union soldier, complete FLAGS OF THE CIVIL WAR down through the years by the family of with a Springfield rifle, flat-topped cap “The Stars and Bars” (top) was the official Sergeant Dick, a mascot of the St. Louis with a badge, and me by his side, a black flag of the Confederacy from March 5, Grays. That pooch weathered quite a and white Border Collie, which is entirely 1861, to May 26, 1863. It first appeared time in St. Louis in 1861, just a month you pull those young eyes in as well. fitting because Missouri was a Border with seven stars, then nine, 11, and finally 13, to indicate the number of states in the after the first cannons fired on Fort Sum- state. he School District of Washing- Confederacy. The Confederacy claimed ter in South Carolina. I’ll fill you in about that Border state Kentucky and Missouri, but they were never Lots of people have heard about Camp actually in the Confederacy. business later, along with other tidbits Jackson, in St. Louis, but not many real- ton, Mo., recently commissioned Missouri Press has a terrific project I’ve picked up visiting battle sites with The second flag is the United States flag and ize its importance. The incident deter- Walt and meeting folks who was in use from July 4, 1863 to July, 1865. There were six official flags in use during mined that St. Louis, though in the slave reen- act Civil War life. They the Civil War, but the 35-star flag is the one state of Missouri, would remain loyal to a survey of patrons in the District available this month to help you pull make history come most recognized. Each star represents a the Union and continue to fly Old Glory. alive, which is state in the Union. what I hope to do T for you. Paper Training to gauge their pulses on a bond issue in all eyes — but especially those im- So gather The Civil War (1861-1865) was a four-year round the tragedy, a dog-eat-dog war that divided campfire, our country and forced neighbor to heading to the ballot in portant young eyes! This share a bite fight against neighbor. It began for a of Johnny number of reasons, one of which con- Cake and cerned slavery. Some states thought it fit- Differences of opinion on April. One of the ques- is the eighth year we’ve listen up, cause ting to own slaves while others believed slavery and other issues split the north and you’re about to the practice should be “abolished,” south. These conflicts led to war. Find three hear some stuff which is a fancy way of saying “va- types of conflict in the newspaper, man vs. man, tions in the survey asked offered a serialized story that’s doggone extraordinary—tales moosed,” and doesn’t refer to a moose man vs. nature and man vs. self. about man’s best friend during the Civil away at Scout camp or a mouse in the War, canine mascots, fetching hounds past-present tense twice removed. Ruff! LEARN MORE! that astound. Companion activities can be found at where they get their school through our Reading Initially, the pro-slavery states acted like www.mo-nie.com using code: teachmo12. The stories I’m about to relate are a bunch of kids in a scrap. They thumbed their noses at the Union and seceded, Missouri GLEs: CA R1G, R1H, R2C, R3C; brimming with turncoats and heroes, SS 3AI mayhem and miracles, plenty of rowdy broke away to establish a new country, news. Eighty-seven per- Across Missouri project the Confederate States of America. This ©2012, Missouri Press Foundation cent said their local news- — and it’s FREE to your Design by Sharpe Design paper, The Missourian. newspaper. the location teachers access the teach- I’m certain surveys This year’s story is er guide from our general site to your across the state would “Patriotic Pals, Tails of website. You can add your logo to the find similar results — the Civil War.” It’s a teacher guide cover, and even add a community newspapers nine-chapter story, in a page into the guide about your news- are important to schools 4-col.-by-11-inch format paper. Add an inch to the story feature and families. Did you that uses a border col- and recognize a sponsor or your own know that parents read- lie, Chuck, to introduce newspaper for providing the resource. ing newspapers make the readers to important ll of these materials are available now most significant impact Dawn Kitchell is MPA’s NIE battles of the Civil War. for you to access at www.mo-nie. director. Contact her at A on whether their chil- (636) 932-4301; dawn.kitch- We are in the midst of com using download code readmo12. dren will be newspaper [email protected]. the commemoration for We’ll post a feature story on author Chris readers? That modeling the war, which ran from Stuckenschneider there in early January. ranks above all other factors in repeated 1861-1865. And just as this story wraps up in studies on promoting reading habits in his story is like a good family movie March for most of you, we’ll be pro- children. T— there’s something in it for all viding a new series on gardening we’re That’s always been one of the goals ages. The dog, Chuck, will draw in and creating with Missouri Extension. By of Newspaper In Education — back- engage young readers. Chuck’s humor then, we’ll all be ready for spring! pack sampling. We send newspapers will engage older readers. Each chapter Happy New Year! to schools where they are used as the in the story highlights a dog mascot that outstanding educational resource they participated in, or witnessed, a fray or are, then, they go home in backpacks. major battle in the Civil War, from St. Extra papers taken Mom and/or dad pick up that school Louis to Pennsylvania, concluding in copy and if they don’t subscribe, they Illinois with Fido, President Lincoln’s lead to stealing charge read the newspaper, modeling reading beloved mutt. Houston woman was cited for v for their children. If they already do The guidelines for the story are sim- A stealing under $500 in November subscribe, it’s a perfect segue into a dis- ple, you cannot put the story on your after allegedly taking newspapers from cussion of what’s inside that issue, a tre- website unless it is password protected a machine outside the Houston Herald. mendous value in connecting families or you post a PDF-replica image of An employee of the Herald had and communities. your print edition online. Publish the noticed that the machine had been egardless of what news format to- story in your print edition and drive coming up short of money for several R day’s youth will seek out as they readers to your website to access the weeks. A suspected person was told to age, it’s important that they know what teacher guide — which you may post stop taking extra papers. is inside a newspaper. And your com- there. She was reported to police when munity newspaper is key to future news- There are many places to make the a video recorded after she had been paper readership. You have their parents story your own. In the promotional warned showed her paying for one pa- and grandparents reading — make sure ad, you can add your logo and change per and taking six.

16 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 Publisher evaluates paper’s purpose Mission, goals of The Rural Reporter shared with readers By PAULI CLARIDAY the highest regard. The Rural Reporter, Lathrop (Nov. 10, 2011) Editorial - Lathrop Goal: To engage the community at omprehensive Improvement all levels — local government, schools, Plan of some sort … whatever churches and organizations — so that Cyou want to call it, I’ve had a A hometown newspaper ownership and responsibility are shared little heart-to-heart with myself these should serve its readers by all. past couple of months. I’ve been around Goal: To provide a medium for gov- the world and back, so to speak, and and public as a model ernment, businesses, organizations, picked up some pretty invaluable lessons of citizenship. and churches to engage the residents in along the way. order to find a common ground toward Mostly, I guess, is that if God opens a working for the betterment of the com- door that won’t close, and closes a door munity. that won’t open, you’d better pay atten- sions that matter to you. Hometown. Goal: To exercise journalistic profes- tion. And if you beat your head against Family owned and operated. sionalism that respects the intelligence a wall long enough, you eventually We believe … of our readers and seeks to capture the learn that opening a door is a whole lot A hometown newspaper should full intent of its subjects. less painful. bring its readers insight to the decisions Goal: To bring together the technol- Anyway, I’ve deliberated on the Mis- that affect the community, and oppor- ogy of today and tomorrow with the sion and Goals of this newspaper. Of tunities to engage with the decision- foresight of the changing landscape, my purpose — our purpose — and I making processes that make a commu- while valuing the history and heritage have found new life. nity better. of the community newspaper. These are some pretty tall marching A hometown newspaper should Goal: To recognize that local and orders, and a great responsibility. The serve its readers and public as a model area businesses contribute to the eco- kind of thing that I should print out of citizenship. nomic viability of the region, and pro- several copies and post on every door I A hometown newspaper should al- vide an affordable, comprehensive me- enter and every mirror I look into. ways remember it is through the dili- dia outlet to capture existing and new Strategic plans should be compre- gent efforts of the citizens, families, audiences. hensive, and they should be able to sup- and stakeholders designed to improve Goal: To explore and bring insight port your purpose and goals. the quality of life, that cause a commu- to local government, demanding open Here is mine — you get to hold me nity to stand apart. government for the people and by the accountable. Our Mission and Goals … people. We are … Mission: To provide a medium for Goal: To assist in the evolution of Invested and Engaged. Bringing you citizens and stakeholders in which in- Clinton County to become a unified insight to your hometown community. formational, insightful, entertaining, front for its citizens, businesses, and Connected with the people and deci- and commemoratory content is held in economic future. Stover newspaper office moves in at Versailles he Morgan County Press in Stover require some adjustments, we hope this delivery of their papers. will move its office and consoli- move results in an improved Morgan The editor of the Stover paper, Jami Tdate operations to the office of County Press for our readers and advertis- Mathis, will have an office in Versailles. the Versailles Leader-Statesman begin- ers,” Jones said. The Morgan County Press was founded ning Jan. 1. The Stover and Versailles papers are as Stover News in 1911 by Henry Harrell. The Morgan County Press will con- owned by Vernon Publishing, Inc., He changed the name of the paper to the tinue to be published in its current form. which also has papers in Eldon, Tus- Tri-County Republican in 1922. Operations are being consolidated in cumbia, Tipton and Laurie. Harrell’s son-in-law and daughter, an effort to bring the paper into a more The Press will continue to be delivered Matthew and Clarice Washlick, became profitable situation, reduce expenses and to Stover area vendors and be available publishers in 1963. They changed the improve the product, said managing for purchase in Stover vending machines name of the paper to The Morgan County editor Bryan Jones. as usual and at regularly scheduled times. Press in 1965 and sold it in 1978 to Ver- “While we understand this change Subscribers will notice no change in non Publishing. will be inconvenient for a time and

Missouri Press News, January 2012 www.mopress.com 17 And when YOU pick up the phone to call your local legislators and ask for their Remember ‘Super Bowl’ support of the bill at the moment those emails request such a call, you are mak- ing the difference in whether this bill is registered trademark passes or not. Legislators tire of seeing the faces of lobbyists and executive direc- Don’t let advertisers use sports phrases tors of organizations who frequent their offices day ow that the end-of-the-year some traction in the legislature. by day. But holidays are past us, the news- I’ve been working with the association when YOU Npaper advertising staffs will on what changes we might like to see in c a l l , t h e y When YOU begin gearing up for the Super Bowl the law, incorporating suggestions that listen. They festivities that will come have come from many of know you pick up the the first of February. So you in the past few years. are able to perhaps now is a good At the same time, we all g e n e r a t e phone to call time to once again issue realize that we never get publicity for the reminder that while everything we want, and them in your your local news stories can discuss the process is long and local papers the Super Bowl as often drawn-out. It involves a that will help legislators as desired, your advertisers bill being filed by a spon- them in their need to tred carefully in sor, hearings in both the campaigns and ask for this area if you don’t want House and the Senate, and in get- to generate nasty letters or and hoping the bill can ting word their support worse for your newspaper. move through the pro- out to their The words “Super cess to get onto the floor constituents of the bill..., Bowl,” like their cousins and up for a vote in each as to whether you are mak- “Final Four,” “Sweet Six- Jean Maneke, MPA’s Legal chamber. Finally, a version they are do- teen,” “Elite Eight” and Hotline attorney, can be must be crafted that is ac- ing a good ing the dif- other such sports phrases reached at (816) 753-9000, ceptable to legislators in job for the are all registered trade- [email protected]. both chambers and which local voters ference in marks. When an advertiser can be presented to the in their dis- uses them in advertising, that advertiser governor for signature. tricts. whether this needs to be a company that is an official ach of you plays an important part T h i s i s supporter of the Super Bowl 2012 event. Ein this process. You may be asked an election bill passes If your local grocery store wants to sell to come to Jefferson City to testify. You year. They chips and dip for residents to consume absolutely are needed in Jefferson City will be espe- or not. while watching the event on Feb. 5, the on Missouri Press Day at the Capitol in cially listen- grocery store needs to find a euphemism order to talk to your legislators and to ing to local or synonym for that event. Maybe it’s listen to the governor and others about voices. Be something like “the big game” or maybe bills of interest to you and your readers. one of those local voices. Give them a it’s the “super event” that weekend. (This event is planned for Feb. 9. I’m call when we request those calls be made. f your advertiser is unhappy, just re- hoping you will get it on your calendars Let them know you are interested in Imind him that the use of a trademark NOW and make a special effort to at- what they are doing in Jefferson City. like the ones mentioned above, when tend. Don’t forget there will be a recep- Play the part created by the legislative you are not authorized to use it, can tion the night before where legislators process for voters like you to play. Make generate anything from a nasty letter are invited to attend, and you should your voice heard! from the owner of the mark to a lawsuit. plan to come in early enough to attend As always, wishing all of us a strong, Nobody wants to deal with those kinds that event, too!) profitable year in an industry that is un- of headaches, and because the newspaper Finally, and most importantly, I urge dergoing great change. What all of you would be drawn into the battle, it’s just you to watch for emails from Doug do is critical to ensuring liberty and jus- easier to pick something else for the ad. Crews and others advising of the status tice in this country. My longtime friend Also the first of the year brings with of the bills and asking for your calls to and former editor, Paul McMasters, once it the opening session for the Missouri your local legislators. Those last-minute said, “...the tradition that has kept the legislative bodies. We’ve not had a bill emails come when you are busy, I’m press necessary and vital ... is that the revising the sunshine law for several sure, but they are our way of keeping more the public knows, the more secure years, and there is reason to believe that you advised as to what is happening up the individual.” perhaps this year such a bill can gain to the moment in the legislative process. Have a wonderful 2012!

18 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, January 2012 Missouri Newspaper Organizations NORTHWEST MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, Matt Daugherty, Smithville/ CALENDAR Kearney/Libertyv; Vice President, Phil Cobb, Maryville; Secretary, Kathy Conger, Bethany; January Treasurer, W.C. Farmer, Rock Port. Directors: Past President Jim Fall, Maryville; Dennis 11 ­— Missouri Press Ad Workshop, Ellsworth, St. Joseph; Jim McPherson, Weston; Chuck Haney, Chillicothe; Adam Johnson, Troy, Lincoln County Journal, Mound City; Steve Tinnen, Plattsburg; Kay Wilson, Maryville; Steve Booher, St. Joseph; 10 a.m.-Noon D’Anna Balliett, Cameron. 19 ­— Missouri Press Ad Workshop, Cape Girardeau Southeast SHOW-ME PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, David Eales, Paris; Vice President, Missourian, 10 a.m.-Noon Jeff Grimes, Centralia; Secretary-Treasurer, Sandy Nelson, News-Press & Gazette Co. Directors: Dennis Warden, Owensville; Stacy Rice, Drexel; Past President/Director, Linda February Geist, Monroe City. 8 ­— MPA/MPS Board Meeting, Jefferson City OZARK PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, Keith Moore, Ava; Vice President, Whitney 8 ­— MPA/AP Legislator Reception, Anderson, Crane; Secretary-Treasurer, Dala Whittaker, Cabool. Directors: Roger Dillon, 5-7 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, Eminence; Brad Gentry, Houston; Jeff Schrag, Springfield; Chris Case, Cuba; Tianna Jefferson City Brooks, Mountain View; Sharon Vaughn, Summersville. 9 — Missouri Press/AP Day at the SOUTHEAST MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, Betty Watkins, Dexter; First Capitol, Jefferson City Vice President, Amanda Layton, Perryville; Second Vice President, Donna Denson, Cape 22 — Business Journalism Workshop, Girardeau; Secretary-Treasurer, Michelle Friedrich, Poplar Bluff; Executive Secretary, Ann Union Station Marriott, St. Louis Hayes, Southeast Missouri State University; Historian, Peggy Scott, Festus. Directors: Gera LeGrand, Cape Girardeau; Kim Combs, Piedmont; H. Scott Seal, Portageville; Kate March Martin, Perryville; Deanna Nelson, Sikeston; Ed Thomason, New Madrid. 9 ­— Missouri Press Foundation / Reynolds Journalism Institute DEMOCRATIC EDITORS OF MISSOURI: President, Richard Fredrick, Paris; First Vice newspaper workshop, Columbia President, Bob Cunningham, Moberly; Secretary, Beth McPherson, Weston; Treasurer, 11-17 — National Sunshine Week Linda Geist, Monroe City. April MISSOURI CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION: President, Brenda Carney, 19-20 ­— Missouri Advertising Harrisonville; First Vice President, Jack Kaminsky, Joplin; Second Vice President, Steve Managers’ annual meeting, Edwards, St. Joseph; Secretary, David Pine, Kansas City; Treasurer, Doug Crews, Columbia. Courtyard by Marriott, Columbia Directors: Jim Kennedy, Bolivar; Ken Carpenter, Kansas City; Rob Siebeneck, Jefferson City. June MISSOURI ADVERTISING MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION: President, Dennis Warden, 22 ­— Northwest Missouri Press Owensville; First Vice President, Jane Haslag, Jefferson City; Second Vice President, Association Annual Meeting, Jana Todd, Warrenton; Secretary, Jeanine York, Washington; Treasurer, Kristie Williams, St. Joseph Columbia. Directors: Suzie Wilson, Milan; Bruce Wallace, Ashland; Brian Rice, Excelsior Springs; Lisa Miller, Camdenton; Kevin Jones, St. Louis. Past President, Stacy Rice, Drexel. September MISSOURI ASSOCIATED DAILIES: President, Joe May, Mexico; Vice President, vacant; 20-22 ­— Missouri Press Association Secretary, Shelly Arth, Marshall; Treasurer, Doug Crews, Columbia; Past President, Larry 146th Annual Convention, Holiday Freels, Kirksville. Directors: Jack Whitaker, Hannibal; Arnie Robbins, St. Louis; Dan Potter, Inn Executive Center, Columbia Columbia.

MISSOURI PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATORS: President, Colene McEntee, St. Charles; President-Elect, vacant; Secretary, Peggy Koch, Barnhart; Treasurer, Roxanne Miller, Ballwin; Public Relations Officer, Suzanne Corbett, St. Louis; Membership Officer, Linda Briggs-Harty, St. Louis; Contest Director, Janice Denham, Kirkwood; Quest Awards Directors, Susan Fadem, St. Louis, and Marge Polcyn, St. Louis; Conference Director, vacant; Archivist, Dee Rabey, Granite City, Ill.; Past President, Fran Mannino, Kirkwood.

MISSOURI PRESS SERVICE: President, Kevin Jones, St. Louis; Vice President, Vicki Russell, Columbia; Secretary-Treasurer, Jack Whitaker, Hannibal. Directors: Dave Bradley, St. Joseph; Steve Oldfield, Adrian. A contribution to the MISSOURI PRESS FOUNDATION, INC.: President, Mrs. Betty Spaar, Odessa; First Vice President, Wendell Lenhart, Trenton; Second Vice President, Kirk Powell, Pleasant Hill; Missouri Press Foundation Secretary-Treasurer, Doug Crews, Columbia. Directors: R.B. Smith III, Lebanon; Rogers Hewitt, Shelbyville; James Sterling, Columbia; Edward Steele, Columbia; Robert Wilson, is a wonderful way to Milan; Dane Vernon, Eldon; Vicki Russell, Columbia; Bill James, Harrisonville; Bill Miller honor the memory Sr., Washington, Tom Miller, Washington; Chuck Haney, Chillicothe. Directors Emeritus: Mrs. Wanda Brown, Harrisonville; Wallace Vernon, Eldon. of an associate.

MISSOURI-KANSAS AP PUBLISHERS AND EDITORS: Chairman, Susan Lynn, Iola, Kan. Missouri AP Managing Editors: Chairman, vacant; Past Chairman, Carol Stark, Joplin. VISA, MasterCard, MISSOURI COLLEGE MEDIA ASSOCIATION: President, Dave Hon, Missouri Western Discover accepted. State University; Vice President, Andrea Sisney, Webster University; Secretary, Janaca Scherer, University of Missouri, St. Louis; MPA Liaison, Jack Dimond, Missouri State University; Adviser, Dr. Robert Bergland, Missouri Western State University. (573) 449-4167

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