Policy Change May Spur More Letters to Editor by Tim and Jeremy Waltner 3

Volume 35, No. 5 August 2010 Quote of the Month

“The advice is free. Doing it will make your life miserable. But you will die happy.”

— Homer Marcum, 1983 Eugene Cervi Award winner, responding to an ISWNE Hotline question in how to deal Visit the ISWNE’s Web site: with uncooperative and threatening public officials. www.iswne.org

Published by the Institute of International Studies, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO Policy change may spur more letters to editor By Tim and Jeremy Waltner 3. All other previous guidelines, includ- Freeman Courier ing the right to deny publication of let- Freeman, S.D. ters that we believe to be slanderous, July 7, 2010 libelous or profane, will continue unchanged. If you’re not constantly thinking of ways to improve, experiment- The new policy is effective immediately ing with what may or may not work and abandoning your com- and something we are committed to con- fort zone as a means to enlightenment, you’ll become as stag- tinue through at least the end of 2010. nant as a mud hole. When the calendar turns to 2011, we Over the years, the Courier has done its best to avoid that. Most plan to re-evaluate our decision with no recently, efforts to provide better balance in our news coverage, illusions as to what we will decide. an increase in the ink we give to high school sports, the ongoing Maybe the new policy stays; maybe it Tim Waltner development of our website and a fresh approach to human suffers the same fate as Jay Leno in interest stories are examples of how this 110-year-old weekly has primetime. We’ll know more in six strived to be better. months. And now there’s this. So what’s this all about? In a significant change in policy that goes against what has long In short, we want to see if the new policy been considered an accepted and expected practice in most generates more publicly shared opinions newspapers, the Courier will withhold the name of the author of from our readers. letters to the editor upon request. In other words, if you’ve got The Courier has consistently fallen short something to say in print but don’t want your name attached, on letters submitted for publication. while we may not agree with your desire to hide behind ano- That’s a frustrating disappointment nymity, we will grant you that right. since the exchange of ideas and the There are three important caveats: right to express an opinion is a key part of the U.S. Constitution and is one of the 1. This is an experiment and, as of now, not a permanent most important individual freedoms Jeremy Waltner change. granted to citizens. 2. While we will withhold the name of the author upon request, Frankly, it’s as aggravating as a sliver that more of our readers the Courier must know, and be able to confirm, who wrote the don’t take advantage of that right, especially since we’re provid- letter. continued on page 3 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

By Jeremy Condliffe Congleton, Cheshire, England Give anonymous letters a chance Hi there folks! This is my first column as new when I first started coming to ISWNE I where the publisher has the name and president so it’s the easy one when I intro- realised that many people thought we were address but the reader doesn’t get them. duce myself to those of you who I’ve not had pretty big but by UK standards we’re not. There were still some fears about doing this the pleasure of meeting (although that Paid-for independent papers are no longer but some of these seemed to miss the obvi- means you’ve probably missed six excellent common in the UK and most of those, unlike ous — even if you print letters without conferences). us, have a print centre attached. names, you still vet or edit them, so there’s I’m editor and managing director of a small Those who missed the 2010 conference in no increased risk of defamation. Of course weekly family-owned newspaper in Kentucky missed an interesting week, the the fun bit is that you can’t libel an anony- Congleton, Cheshire. We’re at the bottom of trip into the Appalachians being the high- mous letter writer, so replies can be as out- the North West of England or at the top of light for me (particularly the Appalachian spoken as you like. the West Midlands, depending on your affili- music I brought back) along with one of the It’s true that some of you might be opposed ations. (Those living in the States or conference sessions — on readers’ letters. to anonymous letters because you just feel Australia, for whom* the Mid West or the Since I began attending ISWNE conferences it’s plum wrong, and unethical to run anony- Northern Territories run for hundreds of five years ago, the critique sessions have mous attacks, but, as was pointed out in miles, and gradually fade over vast differ- always involved me getting stick from the Kentucky, doing this can give a voice to the ence to whatever region is adjacent, have to other participants for printing letters that voiceless. I certainly print letters criticising remember that England is tiny and a couple don’t carry the name and address of the those in power that come from working class of miles can make all the difference — the writer. Obviously I know who wrote the letter readers who don’t feel they have any other town 10 miles north up the road is most defi- — I don’t print letters that are completely way of expressing an opinion. nitely North West whereas the small town anonymous. five miles south is West Midlands). With some publishers trialing the printing of Opponents of this practice variously say it’s anonymous letters, it seems only sensible to Congleton is a town of around 24,000 peo- unprofessional (which I’d dispute), allows share the results of the tests here rather than ple, and we’re based there, though we cover unfair personal attacks (possibly true) and is wait for the next conference: a lot of us will other towns and village. Our main edition is generally undesirable for ethical reasons. be interested and those doing it can share the Congleton Chronicle and we print 10,000 While I could concede some of the points, the experience with those who either missed of these. We also cover Biddulph (which is in the fact is that my liberal policy attracts four the conference or who were still uncertain. the county of Staffordshire) and Sandbach or five pages of letters a week and those criti- (also Cheshire) and print about 3,000 apiece I’d be interested to know if anyone running a cising the habit often struggle to get more pilot has seen an increase in letters or wheth- of respective editions for each town, with than four or five letters. eight or 10 changed pages in each. er readers have gone giddy at the thought of Pagination averages about 50 pages at the But these naysayers to the nameless per- unfettered personal attacks and sent in the moment, courtesy of the recession. formed a rather unexpected volte face this most libelous missives imaginable. year after a speaker in Kentucky pointed out Unlike many of our American friends, we Please email me and let me know how it’s that anonymous free speech was protected in gone. I’ll use any replies for my lecture from collect the papers from the printers in the the First Amendment. Over this side of the early hours of Thursday morning and then the pulpit next month. You could even send pond we have a fine tradition of vitriolic, your views to use here as letters to the editor deliver them to newsagents, who sell them barbed anonymous political comment, too. over the counter or deliver them to readers’ — you can’t complain that readers don’t homes. We have few subscriptions, mostly The fact that unsigned letters were part of send in comments if you don’t either. Email folks who live away. We also have a few our heritage changed a lot of minds and, me at [email protected] today. casual sales. after the critiques, a number of publishers *Grammar is not an obsession of mine so decided to test the running of anonymous In paragraph two I said we were small; don’t let this mislead you that it’s always letters — again, to stress, this means letters going to be accurate.

2 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

Experiment to spur more letters to the editor from page 1 ing a forum (and have made it pretty Certainly that’s not the case. ideas and the improvement of editorial easy) to do just that. Is it because people don’t have time? pages. So why the lack of letters? Sounds more like a cop-out than a legiti- Our decision to temporarily suspend the Is it because people don’t have opinions? mate reason. publication of signatures upon request Is it because they don’t feel like they know actually stems from the ISWNE’s annual how to write a letter? Perhaps, except that summer conference in Kentucky the last different kinds of styles, abilities and opin- week of June. One of the sessions was ions are what make editorial pages like about how to deal with anonymous com- our page 4 interesting. ments on websites — what’s appropriate, what’s not and how to manage all of it — We think all may be used as excuses. and that led to a discussion about signed We speculate that, when it comes right vs. unsigned letters in print. down to it, the majority of our would-be We were reminded that anonymous letter writers don’t take the plunge speech is a First Amendment right and because they would rather keep their has a prominent place in our nation’s his- opinions to themselves — or share it with tory. And we were reminded that there their friends over coffee — than share it in are changing attitudes and policies about a very public way. Perhaps it’s the nature anonymous speech emerging in the of a small community. Perhaps it reflects explosion of online comments. Officers of the International Society our cultural traditions. of Weekly Newspaper Editors: Our dilemma of how to generate more And while this lack of shared opinion letters on our opinion page became a President: Jeremy Condliffe frustrates the “exchange of ideas” ideal Congleton Chronicle complementary component to the discus- that runs deep in us and our mission of sion. Congleton, Cheshire, England being a community newspaper, we get it. And here we are. Vice President: Kris O’Leary So what to do? The Star News One final but important note: While we Well, for starters, we are launching this will withhold names upon request, we Medford, Wis. experiment. strongly encourage those who wish to Executive Director: At least temporarily, we will take the posi- share their views on this page to sign Dr. Chad Stebbins, Director, Institute of tion that content is more important than their name. An opinion, after all, holds International Studies, Missouri Southern the name attached to it. We take our poli- far more credibility when the public State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, cy that says letters must be signed for Joplin, MO 64801-1595 knows whose opinion it is. Phone: (417) 625-9736 publication and amend it, allowing peo- We’re eager to see where this leads and Fax: (417) 659-4445 ple to withhold their name from publica- what this means for our letters. And while E-mail: [email protected] tion if they choose. We recognize this as a suspending a long-standing and widely- significant change to our previous letters accepted policy makes us feel a bit Board of Directors: to the editor standards and the letters to Goodloe Sutton uneasy, we also feel comfortable with our the editor standards that most newspa- decision. The Democrat Reporter pers abide by. Linden, Ala. Improvement is in our best interest. We make the change, admittedly, with a Paul MacNeill few reservations. But we do so with the Time will tell if this does, in fact, make The Eastern Graphic our editorial page — and our newspaper Montague, Prince Edward Island support and encouragement from most of our friends at the International Society of and community — better. Chris Wood Weekly Newspaper Editors, an organiza- Wisconsin Web Offset, Brookfield, Wis. tion we have been a part of for nearly 20 Tim and Jeremy Waltner can be contacted at Kelly Clemmer years that promotes the exchange of [email protected]. Star News Inc. Wainwright, Alberta Cheryl Wormley The Woodstock Independent Woodstock, Ill. Gary Sosniecki TownNews.com, Moline, Ill. Immediate Past President: Jim Painter West Valley View Avondale, Ariz.

August 2010 3 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

President Jim Painter called the meeting to inquired about the prospects of meeting order at 9:05 a.m. “Down Under.” He said the timing of the Minutes conference was the issue, as the weather is 1. The minutes of the January 9, 2010, poor in June and July. May or August International Society would be more suitable. Wilson said 2015 board meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Florida of Weekly Newspaper Editors were approved (George/MacNeill). might be a better year to target Australia, and that he was curious to see how many 2. Stebbins reported ISWNE had $22,991.30 Board of Directors Meeting, people attended the England conference in its checking account and a CD worth June 23, 2010 next year. Painter suggested the formation $26,000, for a total net worth of $48,991.30 Richmond, Kentucky of a sub-committee to look at potential con- as of June 14, 2010. ISWNE had a net ference sites, but MacNeill said it wasn’t worth of $48,319.31 one year earlier. From In Attendance: necessary as ISWNE had the situation Jan. 1, 2010, to June 14, 2010, ISWNE Jim Painter Kris O’Leary under control through 2013. showed a net gain of $8,599.24. From July Chad Stebbins Chris Wood 9. Waltner reported on his efforts to coordi- 1, 2009, to June 14, 2010, ISWNE showed a Paul MacNeill Kelly Clemmer net gain of $1,766.99. Stebbins also report- nate the editorial critiques at the Kentucky Sandra George Barry Wilson* conference. He said late registrations, the ed that the ISWNE Foundation had a total Cheryl Wormley Harry Hix* net worth of $48,210.62 as of June 14, fact that a disproportionate number of Jeremy Condliffe Tim Waltner* people didn’t have newspapers to critique, 2010. The financial statement was Don Brod Elizabeth Hansen* approved (George/O’Leary). and the failure of some to send their papers Vickie Canfield Peters* to Kentucky all contributed to several logis- 3. Stebbins reported ISWNE had 243 paid *non-board member tical problems. “Having someone other members, an increase of 13 from 2009 and than the conference host requires a certain the highest number in its history. He said level of commitment,” he said. “England is ISWNE had received 35 new members in going to be even more daunting.” Clemmer 2010, but 22 had not renewed their mem- of the university’s bars. suggested just having everyone being their berships. Wood is contacting six of the 6. Stebbins reported that Frank Garred had newspapers to the conference and allocat- delinquent members in an attempt to per- planned nearly every detail of the 2012 ing 30 minutes to reading them before the suade them to rejoin. Stebbins said he has conference at Western Washington critiques; Painter said it would take more given out 80 complimentary memberships University in Bellingham including a pre- than 30 minutes. O’Leary said another for 2010, including 43 to newspaper editors conference trip to San Juan Island and a problem was having 10 copies of a newspa- in Quebec, 15 in Kentucky, and eight in post-conference trip to Vancouver by train. per to send off to the convention. “We Australia. The board said the ISWNE Attendees will discuss the USA PATRIOT Act would need to put them aside,” she said. Hotline was an important benefit of mem- and tour the U.S.-Canada border crossing “We would need plenty of notice.” bership. “We’re hearing from people who facilities, participate in panel discussions 10. MacNeill suggested a line item in the are not attending the conferences,” O’Leary on community forums/citizens’ journalism said. ISWNE budget for someone to coordinate and government transparency, and travel the editorial critiques at the annual confer- 4. Hansen reported on the 2010 conference to the Ferndale-Cherry Point Oil Refinery ence and lead editorial critiques at state in Richmond, Ky. “We’re planning on 80 for a tour and dialogue on the environmen- and provincial press association meetings. people, which is fewer than what we had tal effects of fossil fuel development and “No one knows who we are,” he said. “We hoped for given our central location.” She processing. Canfield Peters, who hosted the need to spend some money to invest in said numerous obstacles had been over- 1998 conference in Erie, Pennsylvania, will future membership.” The board passed a come, including: “You wouldn’t believe assist Garred with the conference. motion to spend $2,000 for travel and $500 what it takes to get permission to serve 7. Clemmer reported that he had spoken to for a stipend annually for a chair person of alcohol on a college campus.” Condliffe ISWNE members George Brown and Frank the editorial critiques (MacNeill/Wormley). said ISWNE needed to have an “official McTighe about co-hosting the 2013 confer- The board then passed a second motion guide” for its conferences, which would ence in Calgary. He said the Alberta nominating Waltner for the position and cover such items as the dress code and Weekly Newspapers Association might be asking him to establish procedures and a name badges. having its annual symposium at the same plan of action (MacNeill/Clemmer). 5. Condliffe said he had some regional edi- time, and that conference attendees could Condliffe suggested that Waltner report to tors lined up as speakers for the 2011 con- attend some of the sessions. Day trips to the board at the January 2011 meeting. ference at Warwick University in Coventry, Banff, Fort Macleod, or Drumheller would MacNeill said he would contact Greg England. Maurice Frankel, director of the be possible. The board asked Clemmer to Duncan, executive director of the Quebec UK Campaign for Freedom of Information, “firm up” the commitment from Brown Community Newspapers Association, about also will be on the program. Albert and McTighe and report back with a pro- Waltner and a small group from ISWNE Scardino and Geraldine Boorman will lend posal at the January 2011 board meeting. conducting an editorial critique session at a assistance as will Bob Satchwell from the 8. Wilson said the “seed” for a conference QCNA meeting. Society of Editors. Condliffe said rather in Australia in 2014 or 2015 had been 11. Stebbins reported that Bennett Gallery than having a hospitality suite, attendees planted, as numerous members had in El Dorado, Calif., charged ISWNE may have to purchase their drinks in one

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4 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

$761.25 for this year’s Golden Quill award, Clemmer volunteered to contact Bennett future, with the editorial or opinion piece including $95 for engraving the marble Gallery and make a recommendation to clearly marked. MacNeill said he would base. He said ISWNE had paid Bennett the board for the 2011 award. develop new entry criteria for the board to Gallery $2,095 for the statue mold a year 12. MacNeill suggested redesigning the review and test an online entry form. ago and that the board had been informed Golden Dozen certificates. He and 14. Canfield Peters said she was up to 1988 that subsequent awards would cost only Clemmer each will bring new designs to in writing the history of ISWNE. She said it $200 to $300. Painter said statues for the the January board meeting. was primarily a winter project for her, but Oscars cost only $500. Stebbins said that she had spent a year on research. She Bennett Gallery suggested using a pewter 13. MacNeill recommended “modernizing” the Golden Quill entry forms and either said the process would become much easier casting rather than a bronze casting, which once she reached 1999, when all the issues would reduce the cost per award to $325 allowing entries to be submitted electroni- cally or the submission of tear sheets. of the newsletter and Grassroots Editor went (after a $250 one-time charge for the pro- online. duction mold). “Bronze is lost-wax cast and Stebbins said he was using the entry system basically indestructible,” Debi Bennett said. that he had inherited but had added the 15. Wood told the board he was consider- “Pewter is a softer metal that could be stipulation that entries not contain any ing buying a weekly newspaper, but that damaged and the gold-plating can chip. identifying information, such as a byline or “getting into the weekly newspaper busi- This would only happen if the award were mug shot, after an ISWNE member had ness ain’t what it used to be.” He said if you to be knocked over or mishandled. The only complained that the same individuals were have advertising from the grocery stores, other difference is that the gold-plated winning the awards year after year. Brod Realtors, and car dealers you can compete award would not have the black-contrast- said there was a tradition of anonymity in against the dailies. He said weekly publishing coloring in the crevices of the feather. It academe. Hansen (one of the 2010 judges) ers might be interested in automobile tabs, would be all shiny gold.” Clemmer said pointed out that the process was not com- such as Auto Focus. ISWNE should ask Bennett Gallery for the pletely anonymous, as judges sometimes 16. The approved a motion to hold its win- $2,095 mold. “The mold is ours,” he said. could determine the community where the ter meeting in Memphis on Saturday, Jan. George should ISWNE then could shop it writer was based. Painter said ISWNE 15 (Condliffe/George). might end up receiving additional Golden around for a better price. Painter suggested The board adjourned at 11:30 a.m. a wooden base instead of a marble base. Quill entries, if the process was easier. The board agreed to accept tear sheets in the General Membership Meeting

Richmond, Kentucky were earning only 1 percent and that the The Rural Blog at http://irjci.blogspot.com/. June 25, 2010 checking accounts were drawing .55 percent 5. Jeremy Condliffe reported that attendees as money market accounts so there wasn’t at the 2011 conference would visit Warwick President Jim Painter called the meeting to much difference between the two. Castle, “possibly the best castle in England.” order at 9 a.m. 3. Stebbins reported ISWNE had 243 paid He also hoped they could attend a play in 1. The minutes of the June 26, 2009, general members, an increase of 13 from 2009 and Stratford and said he was seeking a sponsor- membership meeting in Charlottetown, the highest number in its history. He said ship for a medieval banquet. He said Prince Edward Island were approved (Jan ISWNE had received 35 new members in Warwick was “very accessible” and that Haupt/Sandra George). 2010, but 22 had not renewed their member- Birmingham was the closest airport. He ships. Chris Wood is contacting six of the expected a registration fee of 500 pounds or 2. Chad Stebbins reported ISWNE had delinquent members in an attempt to per- $750. Elliott Freireich suggested using some $22,991.30 in its checking account and a CD suade them to rejoin. “They are citing the of ISWNE’s funds to help offset the high reg- worth $26,000, for a total net worth of economy and the fact that they have to look istration fee, perhaps $100 per person. The $48,991.30 as of June 14, 2010. The ISWNE at every single expense,” Wood said. Stebbins membership approved a motion instructing Foundation had $21,210.62 in its checking said he has given out 80 complimentary the ISWNE board to consider subsidizing the account and two CDs totaling $27,000, for a memberships for 2010, including 43 to news- registration fee (Jane Steinmetz/Freireich). total net worth of $48,210.62 as of June 14, paper editors in Quebec, 15 in Kentucky, and Phoebe Baker said a decision was needed 2010. Stebbins said the combined total of eight in Australia. The membership report before the board met again in January. both accounts had briefly topped $100,000 drew applause from those in attendance. Board members passed the following motion in April, before he sent a check to Al Cross 4. Cross reported that 80 people “plus six or as the general membership meeting contin- for Foundation scholarships. The financial ued: “That ISWNE direct a one-time $100 report was approved (Vickie Canfield Peters/ eight additional attendees” were at the Kentucky conference. He cited the partner- conference subsidy to participants to the Jan Haupt). Marcia Wood asked why ISWNE 2011 conference in Coventry (Warwick) and the Foundation had so much in their ship with Elizabeth Hansen and Deborah Givens from Eastern Kentucky University and England. The subsidy shall be paid directly checking accounts and why more money to the conference host and only be available wasn’t invested in CDs. Stebbins said the CDs said The Rural Blog had mentioned the conference. Cross encouraged everyone to read to participants registered prior to January

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August 2010 5 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

15, 2011 (Paul MacNeill/Kris O’Leary).” board would start offering two conference 9. Don Brod presented a slate of officers from 6. Canfield Peters reported that Frank Garred scholarships annually to students attending the ISWNE past presidents: Condliffe, presi- had “meticulously” planned the 2012 confer- the host university. He proposed the follow- dent; Kris O’Leary, vice president; Gary ence in Bellingham, Washington, in its ing slate of officers for the Foundation: Sosniecki, board of directors; MacNeill, entirety. Kelly Clemmer reported he had Haupt, president; Ursula Freireich, vice presi- board of directors; and Goodloe Sutton, one- asked ISWNE members George Brown and dent; Jeremy Waltner, board member; year term on the board of directors to com- Frank McTighe if they would co-host the Canfield Peters, board member; Painter, past plete O’Leary’s original three-year term. The 2013 conference with him in Calgary. No president; and Stebbins, secretary-treasurer. slate was approved (Elliott Freireich/ commitment has been made yet. Marcia The slate was approved (Tim Waltner/Harry Steinmetz). Wood said she was checking on the possibili- Hix). 10. Under new business, Baker reminded ty of hosting a conference in Colorado or 8. Canfield Peters said she was up to 1988 in everyone to sign the postcards for those New Mexico for 2014. Chris Wood said he writing the history of ISWNE. She said the members who were not attending the confer- was willing to host a conference in Green first person (Rick Friedman) assigned to write ence. Nancy Slepicka said she would be visit- Bay. Painter said the idea of a conference on the history had died and that the second ing Clyde Wills, who will be undergoing a board a cruise ship had also come up, and person (J.R. Ledford) had disappeared. She bone marrow transplant for leukemia, on that he was investigating the costs. said she had purchased a membership to her way back to Illinois. 7. Bill Haupt said the Foundation appreciat- NewspaperArchive.com, which had been The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. ed the conference T-shirt sales and that the helpful, and that the writing was primarily a winter project for her in Florida. FoundationFoundation BoardBoard ofof DirectorsDirectors MeetingMeeting President Bill Haupt called the meeting to Don Pease). Eight others have made dona- the current slate of officers, except for the order at 11 p.m. June 24, 2010 change in past presidents, to the general 1. The minutes of the June 24, 2009, meet- Richmond, Kentucky membership: Haupt, president; Ursula ing in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Freireich, vice president; Jeremy Waltner, were approved (Brod/Canfield Peters). In Attendance: board member; Canfield Peters, board Bill Haupt member; Jim Painter, past president; and 2. Stebbins reported the Foundation had Stebbins, secretary-treasurer. $21,210.62 in its checking account and Vickie Canfield Peters CDs worth $14,000 and $13,000, for a total Don Brod 4. The board decided to start offering two net worth of $48,210.62 as of June 14, Chad Stebbins conference scholarships annually to stu- 2010. He said the Past Presidents’ dents attending the host university. Haupt Scholarship fund had brought in $3,655 suggested the scholarships be $250 each, since its inception. Canfield Peters said she since the recipients wouldn’t have to stay in the university’s residence halls. would make another appeal to the past tions ranging from $50 to $300. presidents. Six past presidents have met or 5. The board commended Brod for his “out- exceeded the $385 request: Frank Garred, 3. Haupt said he was willing to relinquish standing service.” the Foundation presidency if anyone else Robert E. Trapp, Garrett Ray, Brod, Carol The board adjourned at 11:25 p.m. O’Leary, and Jeanne Pease (for the late wanted it. The board agreed to recommend Become a ‘fan’ of the ISWNE Facebook ‘page’ • Receive the latest updates about the annual conference • Get a preview of items coming out in the newsletter • Engage in discussions with your colleagues • Post and view photos Here’s how to join: 1. Become a member of Facebook (www.facebook.com) 2. In the search box in the upper right-hand corner, type 2. International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors 3. Click on Become a Fan

6 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors ToTo AppalachiaAppalachia andand backback

By Mo Mehlsak Capitol buildings in Frankfort, where we where both were Editor met with the governor’s press secretary and in short supply. The Forecaster a local statehouse reporter. And we dined Pat and Tom Gish, Falmouth, Maine on pulled pork and barbecued chicken, and refugees from big- June 29, 2010 talked about the economics of thorough- city journalism, bred racing and casino gambling, with for- bought the Eagle I spent last week in Kentucky for the annu- mer Gov. Brereton Jones at his 3,000-plus- in 1957. They al conference of the International Society of acre horse farm, Airdrie Stud. changed its slogan Weekly Newspaper Editors. I was there to But we also traveled nearly three hours from “a friendly accept the society’s annual Golden Quill southeast to Letcher County, where the non-partisan award for editorial writing, and to deliver a coal-veined hills and hollows of Appalachia newspaper” to “It screams.” few remarks about myself and The replace the limestone-laced, nutrient-rich Mo Mehlsak Forecaster. rolling meadows that feed the thorough- And scream it did But I came home with much more. breds of the Bluegrass. — about political and economic corruption, strip mining, education, poverty and coal- Although I’ve been a member of ISWNE For people in places like Hazard, where we toured a surface (a.k.a. strip) mine, coal mine safety. So loudly that in the 1970s the since shortly after joining The Forecaster six family was threatened, the newspaper was years ago, I’d never attended the annual mining has been a blessing and a curse. The jobs pay well, but 30 years ago, the firebombed and 17-year-old Ben Gish was meeting. This one, based at Eastern accused of starting the blaze. An investiga- Kentucky University in Richmond and orga- industry employed about 36,000 in eastern Kentucky; today, thanks to mechanization, tion eventually established that a nized by EKU’s Communication Whitesburg police officer was responsible. Department and the Institute for Rural fewer than 15,000 find jobs. People who Journalism and Community Issues at the own the mountaintops make money by The Mountain Eagle, meanwhile, never University of Kentucky in Lexington, left me leasing the land to mining conglomerates; missed a week of publication — although feeling sorry I’ve missed the others. many other residents still live in squalor. Ben Gish missed several days of college Besides feeding the demand from coal-fired classes at UK to help his parents put out the It was enlightening, entertaining and invig- power plants, the industry claims it does paper. The Eagle’s slogan became “It still orating to spend time with about 80 editors Kentucky good by creating “level land” for screams.” and publishers from across the U.S., homes and businesses. But only about 2 Today, less than two years after his father’s Canada, England, Ireland, Australia and percent of reclaimed surface mines have Zambia. Our area codes and circulation death at 82 and with his mother suffering ever become housing developments, recre- from Alzheimer’s disease, Ben Gish carries numbers may be different, but we face ation areas or airports; most remain grassy, common challenges. Workshops on the on the family business and the Eagle’s tra- unused plateaus, out of synch with the dition of relentless, meaningful community impact of the Internet on weekly publishing native landscape. and journalism ethics, the use of video on journalism. He sets an example for every the Web and competition from online-only In Whitesburg, near the Virginia border, we other newspaper editor — weekly and daily. news providers provoked thoughtful discus- visited the Appalachian Film Workshop, or I was honored to accept my award for edi- sions and provided plenty of food for Appalshop, where documentary filmmak- torial writing on the same evening that thought. ers tell the region’s story with respect for its ISWNE presented Ben Gish (and his par- residents, their culture and heritage, but Small-group critique sessions produced sug- ents) with the 35th annual Gene Cervi without pulling punches. Make an effort to Award, named for a Colorado editor who gestions for improving our quality of writ- see “Stranger with a Camera” or “Sludge,” ing and newspaper design. Participants exemplified the conviction that “good jour- two of the films we viewed. If you’re not nalism begets good government.” wrestled with the pros and cons of publish- moved, you’re not breathing. ing not only anonymous comments from It was an inspiring conclusion to an inspir- website readers, but anonymous letters in We also visited the offices of The Mountain ing week. print. Eagle weekly newspaper. When I was in journalism school more than 30 years ago, We traveled north to the Bluegrass region the Eagle was on the short list of “places Mo Mehlsak can be contacted at around Lexington and toured Woodford you want to work,” thanks to its relentless [email protected]. Reserve, one of the premier bourbon distill- pursuit of truth and honesty in a county eries. We visited the old and new state

August 2010 7 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors EditorialEditorial critiquecritique groupsgroups listlist goodgood practicespractices At the recent ISWNE conference in Richmond, Ky., each editorial Toss the releases in a drawer for a month or six weeks and then critique group was asked to highlight a “good practice” to share write a round-up or analysis comparing one politician’s comments with the entire convention. These are the good practices as report- against those of another one. Did more than one claim to have ed by the group leaders. brought that new packing plant to town? Do the statements of the state and federal representatives mesh? Don Brod group: Writing a thoughtful article undoubtedly takes more work than Weeklies regularly receive press releases from office-holders on the simply slapping the releases on a page, but the result could be an city, state, and federal level. Many papers run these releases as col- interesting addition to the opinion pages instead of another help- umns on their opinion pages. They are usually innocuous, flag- ing of government public relations. I believe David called his arti- waving pieces or articles claiming credit for actions favorable to cles legislative wraps. the community. David Giffey of the Home News of Spring Green, Wis., suggested a Gary Sosniecki group solution to what several editors in our group considered a problem: 1. We had much discussion and disagreement whether letters to the editor should be signed. However, some papers are having dif- ficulty attracting letters, and we concede that a worthy experiment would be to allow unsigned letters on a short-term basis to see if more letters are generated. 2. If news content appears on part of the op-ed page, it should be clearly separated from editorial content. 3. We like “Second Opinion” as a heading for the op-ed page (used by the Eastern Graphic, PEI). 4. Editorials should be at the top of the page, mastheads at the bottom.

Vickie Canfield Peters group Bruce Valpy of the Yellowknifer had our bright idea. In a sidebar adjacent to the editorial he runs a feature titled, “It’s Your Turn.” He uses the space to ask questions based on subjects discussed, but not used, for the weekly editorial. Each headline contains a paragraph of information about the subject. One question was: How would you rate the highways outside Yellowknife? He asks three or four questions weekly, asking for comments and providing contact information, including email address, mailing address and physical address. Our group thought it a great idea to solicit comments on subjects of interest rather than waiting for readers to react.

Guy and Marcia Wood group Our group thought “best practice” needs to concentrate on gender diversity (that is, avoid all old white guys) and also formally dedi- cate a time and commitment to the weekly editorial — elevate its importance.

Bill Haupt group Mark Brown, from Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fla., makes a point Our only suggestion was to actively solicit letter writers and regu- during the editorial critique session at the ISWNE conference in larly thank them in print for their contributions to the community Richmond, Ky. dialogue.

8 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors NorthernNorthern editoreditor getsgets tastetaste ofof KentuckyKentucky journalismjournalism andand bourbonbourbon “You have to over respect them if you don’t want to get shot in the chest” By Bruce Valpy Ironically, he let me off in downtown ous pros and con- Managing editor Cincinnati, which has to be a victim of all siderable cons of Northern News Services that’s going wrong in America right now coal. But Ryan Yellowknife, Northwest Territories with its grimy downtown streets and sullen Craig of the Todd population. I got the hell out right away, County Standard The subhed above was my shameless, longing for the fresh air, green hills and (Elkton, Ky.) in the attention-grabbing lede when people in friendly faces of Kentucky. back of the room Yellowknife asked about my trip to the The colorful character of Appalachia suited shot off a question International Society of Weekly Newspaper the ISWNE conference. As a first timer, I with a Kentuckian Editors conference in Kentucky in June was like a big-eyed back country singer growl. “Do you 2010. coming to Nashville for the first time. To be expect us to buy surrounded by weekly newspaper editors all that BS?” he I first told them of the dewy-eyed documen- asked Cross, refer- Bruce Valpy tary we saw in Whitesburg, about the with such understated passion, deep rever- ence for the profession and irreverence for ring to industry Canadian filmmaker murdered for shoot- promises. Cross took the bullet and ing coal miners with a camera back in just about everything else was a heady experience. answered calmly, acknowledging the indus- 1967. Called “Stranger with a Camera,” it try’s faults so frankly, the story of coal took should have been called “Idiot With A In the storefront office of the Mountain on more balance. Gun.” Yellowknifers were incensed, with Eagle, listening to Ben Gish speak with good reason, by the light sentence for such pride about his family’s newspaper Textbook journalism with perfect timing. A “involuntary manslaughter” handed to the battles, I was deeply impressed. Reading roomful of reporters chewing on sandwich- shooter. the framed editorial on the wall that got a es above a vault full of money and only one muncher pauses to challenge the informa- Then I told about the 911 call in our policeman’s goat and probably sparked a firebombing at the newspaper in 1974, I tion. Craig reminded us about what all Internet journalism seminar. Don Estep journalists should be doing every day. and Trent Knuckles of the News Journal in was thinking no wonder, any unreasonable Corbin, Ky., who had obtained the record- person would be inflamed. What guts! The community newspaper industry and ing and previously played it on their web- The discussions in and out of ISWNE formal Kentucky are alike in one significant way − site, used it as an example of what can be sessions were immediately rewarding. lacking confidence in their strength, inno- done on the web. It was a man coolly con- These people spoke my language. vation, and importance. Perhaps that’s fessing how he just shot a fellow getting Especially striking was the question and part of being humble, which is not a bad aggressive with a food tray at a fast food answer hosted by conference organizer Al thing in the big picture. joint. That’s cutting-edge journalism. Cross in the room above the Community Finally, I got a surprise when I arrived Eastern Kentucky has an inferiority com- Trust Bank. Cross was telling the story of home and cracked a plastic bottle of Evan plex, I went on to say, which was hard to corporate coal. I was buying it, being from Williams bourbon I bought for a friend as a figure. Beautiful countryside, good roads the Northwest Territories where we thrive joke at a Richmond liquor store ($11.99). It winding through deep ravines, curtains of on diamond mines and the promise of gold was tasty (my friend was forgotten) and I long leafy vines stretching down over lush and oil. But a couple of miles outside of kicked myself for being late for the distillery green forests, endless rollicking hills. Clean Yellowknife, at the abandoned Giant gold tour. towns, people so polite a Northern visitor mine, there are 250,000 tons of mortally Now I sip it real slow, wondering how I will might feel a bit clumsy. toxic arsenic trioxide buried underground ever get some more. Obviously, I’ll have to in sealed mineshafts, flooded and kept fro- On my way home after the conference, I go back to Kentucky for a refill of world zen at a cost of hundreds of millions for, class bourbon and weekly newspapers. told the airport shuttle driver in Cincinnati well forever, or until science can find some- I was coming from Richmond. He sneered thing to transform a chemical liability into and rolled his eyes saying how backward a consumer product. Bruce Valpy can be contacted at they were down there. I thought that nasty [email protected]. attitude must be responsible for Appal- So I didn’t question Cross, despite the full achia’s poor self-image. briefing on the bus via videos on the obvi-

August 2010 9 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors We’llWe’ll stickstick toto ourour lettersletters policypolicy forfor nownow By Marcia Martinek Although I wanted to take credit for this, I that, and you Editor had to admit that we’ve always had should be, too. Herald Democrat numerous letters to the editor. We hear Incidentally, most Leadville, Colo. from all sorts of people of all ages. Yet, of the editors July 1, 2010 we’re not an elitist community, and we cringed when dis- don’t want to be. cussing the com- What do you think newspaper editors talk We do get unsigned letters that we do not ments posted on about when they get together? Who has run. But we do read them and sometimes websites. Some the most devious elected officials? Who has investigate the issues they raise. have done away received the most threats? Who has had A well-respected South Dakota weekly is with them, feeling the oddest news events in the past year? thinking of trying an experiment to they don’t add I had a chance to find out this past week increase letters by allowing unsigned letters much to the over- Marcia Martinek while attending the annual conference of for a period of time. The editor would have all discussion. the International Society of Weekly to know who wrote the letter, and the let- Others approve Newspaper Editors held at Eastern ters would be reviewed for content just as before posting, as we do. In some cases, Kentucky University. signed letters are. After a period of time, everything gets posted and is taken down when complaints arise. As it turns out, one of the most-discussed the experiment would stop and the editor topics was letters to the editor and online would review the results. We’ll all be If you have any thoughts on how letters or commentary by readers. watching. postings should be treated, let me know… even anonymously. Bill Reader, a journalism professor at Ohio But as for Leadville, I’m not thinking of University, got everyone buzzing when he changing any of our policies right now. said that at the time the First Amendment Most Leadvillites have the courage to put Marcia Martinek can be contacted at was drafted, providing freedom of speech, their names on their letters. I’m proud of [email protected]. our forefathers had anonymous speech in mind. Much of the political rhetoric during the revolutionary era was anonymous, some written under pen names. Is requiring all letters to be signed an elitist approach to community commentary? he asked. Are newspapers not doing enough to provide a voice for those who have none? Most of us editors do require letters to be signed. We sign our editorials, and we believe that people should sign their letters as well. Without a signature, a letter lacks credibility, and the paper may then lack credibility as well. A few newspapers, however, do allow anonymous letters under certain circumstances, as long as the editor knows who wrote them. Editors at the conference were trying to come up with ways to encourage more letters to the editor. I saw really great weekly newspapers with provocative topics that were striking out in the arena of letters. And then there was the Herald Democrat. People commented on the number and Bill Reader, from Ohio University, advocates the use of anonymous letters to the editor dur- variety of letters to the editor that we have. ing a conference session titled “Ethics and practicalities of interactivity.”

10 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors ISWNEISWNE andand thethe reluctantreluctant editoreditor By Mark Brown became the reluctant editor. papers, and that Executive editor Much to my surprise, we won three awards my limited experi- ByTheSeaFuture from the National Newspaper Association ence as an editor Lauderdale-By-The Sea, Fla. our first year, and we survived some brutal would put me at a attempts by the ruling forces to put us out disadvantage in When I first started my career as a newspa- of business. They threatened our advertis- the panel discus- per reporter, I worked for some very ers, stole our newspapers and even sued us, sions. demanding editors. Looking back, I realize but we persevered. We exposed the truth As it turned out, I that I learned a lot from them, and I and held our government officials account- was wrong about appreciate everything they taught me. At able. Today most of the bad people are everything. the time, however, I didn’t see it that way. I gone and the town is much closer to Thanks to ISWNE, viewed editors as a necessary evil. I did becoming a little paradise by the sea. I’m my perception of Mark Brown what they wanted but I often resented their happy with the way things turned out and newspaper editors authority. I vowed early on to never aspire the role which ByTheSeaFuture played, but I as the devil’s spawn was shattered. From a to become an editor. still cringe at the thought that I am a news- personal standpoint, I liked everybody I Thus, you can imagine my concern when a paper editor. met at the conference. It was a great group group of residents got together four years Never one to be content with my misery, I of people and I enjoyed meeting and talk- ago and decided to challenge the local gov- signed up to attend the 2010 ISWNE con- ing to everyone. I also picked up a ton of ernment in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL. We ference. Now that was truly the last thing I useful information during the panel ses- were unhappy with the way the town was ever expected to do: voluntarily spend four sions. For example, I knew coming into the being run, and we decided to fight back by days hanging out with dozens of newspa- conference that I was struggling with some starting our own newspaper and taking per editors. What was I thinking? After all, basic problems, such as how to encourage our concerns directly to the people. I still regarded newspaper editors (except more letters to the editor, how to increase Excitement was high, but as I looked me, of course) as self-absorbed, egotistical online readership, and how to generate around the room it quickly dawned on me blowhards who throw their weight around more ads during a bad economy. that I was the most experienced journalist just because they can. Besides that, I wor- I was delighted that the conference had in the group. Sure enough, ByTheSeaFuture ried that my newspaper would look ama- panel discussions which focused on these newspaper was born that day and I teurish compared to more established topics and more, and thought the lectures and follow-up were very informative. I was especially intrigued by the debate over printing anonymous letters to the editor, as a way of broadening public participation in the editorial page dialogue. I haven’t allowed unsigned letters in the past and my gut reaction is that it would create more problems than it would solve, but at least I can see another point of view now and I’m thinking about it. And even though I foolishly passed on the opportunity to have my editorial page critiqued as part of a review session, I got some good ideas from other editors which I hope to apply to my paper in the months ahead. In conclusion, the ISWNE conference sur- passed my expectations. I learned a lot. I met some great people. I enjoyed the side trips to the bourbon distillery, the horse farm and the coal mine. I am grateful to everyone who worked so hard to put together such a productive and enjoyable conference, and I’m glad that I attended. I don’t even feel quite so bad about being an editor any more. Brereton Jones, who served as governor of Kentucky from 1991-95, welcomed ISWNE conference attendees to his Airdrie Stud horse farm on June 23. Al Cross (left), from the University Mark Brown can be contacted at of Kentucky, introduced Jones to the group. [email protected].

August 2010 11 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors DifferencesDifferences betweenbetween grassrootsgrassroots journalismjournalism andand otherother mediamedia

By David Giffey the Ku Klux Klan and was the first editor of conclusions about Editor a weekly newspaper to oppose the War in lessons learned Home News Vietnam. He also founded the journalism and ideas heard. Spring Green, Wis. department at the University of Denver, But an important June 30, 2010 among other achievements. When ISWNE thought remains executive director Chad Stebbins told me in mind having to Three days in Kentucky and no horse races, about my scholarship’s namesake, he said with differences you ask? Waring “insisted that local newspapers between grassroots should nurture a sense of community and journalism and My three days in Kentucky, ending Sunday, link Main Street with the world.” other media. didn’t leave time for horse races — those What does that galloping left turns around dirt ovals dur- Use of the Internet was a conference theme that attracted much attention. While mean? A story told ing which an otherwise perfectly sensible by Loyal Jones David Giffey person can lose his or her shirt. important, I found sessions about ethics, page layout, letters to the editor and libel explained it best, Instead, I was among about 70 members of to be more engrossing. and explained how to deflate a bit of pre- the International Society of Weekly tense. One evening we were entertained by a Newspaper Editors (ISWNE), most of them This is how the story went: A student, a boy editors of small town community newspa- local author and teacher named Loyal Jones, who demonstrated Appalachian from the hills of eastern Kentucky, came to pers, sharing much with the one you’re the campus for the first time. He happened reading, at ISWNE’s 56th annual confer- humor using city vs. country cultural stereotypes. to meet a professor of English, and the boy ence. asked, “Where’s the library at?” Tired as I am from the trip, and still pro- Outside the temperatures hit the mid-90s “I feel obliged to inform you,” said the pro- every day, while inside the air was stirred cessing what I learned, my early synopsis is limited to this: I spent three days with a fessor, “that your grammar was incorrect with intense and provocative debates, dis- because you ended your question with a courses, disagreements, and critiques. group of people intently working to improve their skills in order to give voice to preposition.” I had a great time meeting for the first time communities served by grassroots newspa- “Okay,” said the student after a moment’s in person many people I’ve known for sev- pers. How to do that was the goal. Answers thought. “Where’s the library at, jackass?” eral years from a distance through their included a need to burst bubbles of pre- That was another story. writing. They, we, gathered from about 20 tense and consistently try to report and U.S. states; from Prince Edward Island, comment truthfully. Alberta, and the Northwest Territories, of David Giffey can be contacted at Canada; from the Republic of Zambia, The short time since this excellent meeting [email protected]. Africa; and from Ireland, Australia, and ended didn’t leave room for me to draw England. The I in ISWNE has meaning. Next year’s conference will move to Cheshire, England. Please reconsider if you think this confer- 2010 Sustaining Members ence was a spa retreat. We bunked two to a room with shared bathrooms in an aging In addition to paying their $50 ISWNE membership dues, these indi- dorm at Eastern Kentucky University, viduals have donated $50 more to the Society. We appreciate their Richmond. Furthermore, the campus is dry, generosity! if you know what that means, but I noticed a lot of liquor stores nearby just off-campus, Elizabeth Laden Mary Lou and Bob Estabrook remnants of Kentucky’s famed history Larry Atkinson Dick and Mary Jo Lee involving powerful beverages. Campus Bradley Martin Barbara Mussman rules bent enough to accommodate a Phoebe Baker Steve Andrist nightly and popular hospitality room for Barry Wilson Robert B. Trapp the editors, but it shut down early and I Frank Garred Robert E. Trapp didn’t hear anyone complain about that. David Burke Paul MacNeill Ten of us attended the conference on schol- Vickie Canfield Peters Chris Wood arships provided by ISWNE. My scholarship Frank McTighe Steve Thurston was named after the late Houstoun Guy & Marcia Wood Jeremy Condliffe Waring, a founder of ISWNE in 1955, and Norio Tamura Bill Reader 40-year editor of the Littleton (Colorado) Tom Geoghegan Independent. There he editorialized against

12 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors SmallSmall Papers,Papers, BigBig CourageCourage

By Bill Reader Community Issues, put it this way: “It is e-mail. “When the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism more difficult to practice ethical, hard- first call came Ohio University nosed journalism in smaller communities over the scanner Scripps Blogs post on July 28, 2010 than it is in big cities. We all know the that there was an reasons: personal connections, organiza- injury accident tional obligations, business pressures and between a school In late June, I attended the annual confer- so on. But if community journalism is to bus and a vehicle, ence of the International Society of be more than the red-headed stepchild of our textbook jour- Weekly Newspaper Editors, which this our craft, if it is to fulfill the promise of nalist training year was held in and around Richmond, the First Amendment for its readers, view- went into place. Ky., and Eastern Kentucky University. ers and listeners, courage is essential.” School bus. Injury. ISWNE is a small but active group of Accident. Check. mostly independent weekly newspaper Journalism professor Judy Muller of the Bill Reader editors from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Annenberg School at USC recently told “It was only later Australia, and some other nations. the Texas Panhandle Press Association, that I learned that the victim — my den- “You live next to the people you write tist’s son — had been killed. Part of the conference is an awards ban- about, and that takes tremendous cour- “Did that change the story? It shouldn’t quet, and this year’s Eugene Cervi Award age, to report the truth.” for outstanding service went to the Gish have. Every accident involves somebody. family of Whitesburg, Ky., and their week- Many times, journalism students are put Somebody is suffering. Somebody is hurt. ly newspaper, The Mountain Eagle. off by the idea of “community journal- “Instead of focusing on steel vs. steel, we ism” because they believe it to be “bor- In community-journalism circles, The now try to focus on the human element; ing” and of little consequence. When I tell the emotions of all involved. Mountain Eagle is a bit of a legend. Tom students about “the little papers that and Pat Gish bought the paper in 1956, could,” most of them become inspired. “The military dehumanizes soldiers when and over several decades they took on But the discussion of the basic courage it reporting fatalities: Three ‘troops’ killed local corruption and crusaded for their takes to do basic journalism at the com- today. community, all the while facing death munity level often is harder to explain. “Journalists shouldn’t follow suit. One threats, harassment, thefts, even arson. One poignant example, however, comes person lost from a community is a loss to They took on big issues, too, such as the the community as a whole.” powerful strip-mining industry in their from Mary Lou Montgomery, editor of the part of the Appalachians. Courier-Post in Hannibal, Mo., who visited The personal connections journalists have the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism a with their communities are real and often When they took over the Mountain Eagle, few years ago to talk to students and fac- powerful, and are tested on a regular they changed the newspaper’s motto to ulty about her experiences in community basis simply because much of what is “It Screams!” When the newspaper office newspapering. One account she told was “news” is not at all happy. It is easy for a was firebombed in 1974, the Gishes pub- of a fatal vehicle crash involving a car correspondent from a major news outfit lished from their home under a new and a school bus; the driver of the car to drop into a small town to cover a mine motto. “It Still Screams!” The newspaper died. He also happened to be the son of a collapse or a flood, but when she reports still publishes its blend of solid local cover- local dentist — Montgomery’s dentist. her story and flies off to the next assign- age with principled crusading, under the Mary Lou’s account of the anguish she ment, that relationship essentially ends. management of the Gishes’ son, Ben. felt for the man “who gave my little girls The journalists who live in the community The Gishes are not alone in being mod- their smiles,” as well as the whole family, must face the people they write about. For ern-day examples of courageous commu- was balanced by her professional obliga- the community journalist, simply going to nity journalists, but with that comes con- tion to cover the event because it was, work each day can be a monumental act sequences that Pulitzer-seeking major dai- indeed, serious local news. of courage. lies don’t experience. Al Cross of the “I think it is important NOT to separate University of Kentucky, who directs the the person from the situation,” Mont- Bill Reader can be contacted at Institute for Rural Journalism and gomery recently explained to me in an [email protected].

August 2010 13 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors There’s more fun at the bottom of newspaper food chain than top By Mo Mehlsak last time I opened my local, free weekly, and said no. We did it Editor found a help-wanted ad for a managing edi- anyway, but the The Forecaster tor. A month later I was back at work, at the feedback encour- Falmouth, Maine weekly. Or as we say at The Forecaster, the aged us to even daily weekly. more carefully con- Editor’s note: These are the remarks of Mo We publish four different editions, with sider what we were Mehlsak upon winning the 2010 Golden Quill deadlines three days a week, covering three doing and what award on June 26. cities and 11 towns in southern Maine, the implications including the state’s largest city, Portland. could be. Thank you Jim and Chad, thank you to our We compete with four other weeklies and By the way, the col- conference hosts from UK and EKU, to Al, two dailies, plus three TV news outfits and a umn was so well Liz, Deb, Lindsay and LuAnn, and congrat- handful of websites and content aggrega- received that when Mo Mehlsak ulations, too, to all the Golden Dozen Award tors. We have a news staff of 6.5 reporters, a we put it on hiatus winners. sports editor and me. Our largest competitor this spring because the councilor became a sells nearly as many papers a day as we dis- candidate for re-election, our daily competi- If bits and pieces of what I’ve prepared tribute every week. But there isn’t a week tor in Portland hired him away — without sound familiar, it’s probably because you’ve that goes by when the daily doesn’t follow regard for his candidacy. heard similar comments throughout the The Forecaster on something. past few days and at previous conferences. I look forward to each month’s newsletter, As I’ve learned this week, whether you call it That’s because we understand our mission. with its examples of editorial excellence, Ice-Wine or Is-Whinny, ISWNE is really all For 25 years The Forecaster has been doing problem solving, advice and encourage- about one thing: community. local news and commentary, and high ment — particularly the frequent reminders school sports. And when we’re done with that no group is better positioned to be a I had my first taste of community journalism that, we do more local news and commen- watchdog on local government than we are. from a summer job while I was in college. It tary and high school sports. We don’t have gave me a solid introduction to the most And these days, with daily newspapers wire services or syndicated copy; we do have struggling to survive because they have for- fundamental kind of newspapering. The motivated reporters who cover every town editor was married to the publisher, who gotten how to do local news, and because council meeting, and every school board their reliance on wire services and news sold all the ads, I was one of two reporters, meeting. And everyone, including the presi- everyone did paste-up, and the rotary tele- that’s available everywhere on the Web dent and the publisher, is committed to the makes them increasingly less vital, our read- phone and an IBM Selectric were our most mission. technologically advanced tools. ers are depending on us more than ever to It’s very old-school, but it’s not all old- be that watchdog. I covered everything, from town council school. meetings to stories about native sons home Mark Twain once put it this way: on leave from the military. It was newspa- Besides those four weekly print editions, we “We are told that our newspapers are irrev- pering at its most basic, and when that sum- have a website where we post most stories at erent, coarse, vulgar and ribald. I hope that mer was over, I never imagined I’d ever least a day before they’re in print. All of us, this irreverence will last forever, that we again work at a weekly newspaper, at the myself included, are on Twitter. We’re on shall always show irreverence for royalties bottom of the newspaper food chain. Facebook. We send daily and weekly e-mail and titled creatures born into privilege, and alerts. Our reporters do a weekly Q&A on Flash forward 30 years. I’d worked for a all that class which take their title from anyone of the local TV newscasts. We’ve thing but merit.” trade mag covering the auto industry, a embraced the 24/7 news cycle and social 200,000-circulation major metro daily, a media. Chad asked me to prepare remarks that 60,000 mid-size daily and a 15,000 six-day would only take about five minutes to deliv- paper. Because of the “daily weekly” nature of The er, and I think I’m pushing that. So again, Forecaster, and because of our commitment And I was ready to get out of the business thank you for the Golden Quill, thanks for to not only competing with but also beating welcoming me to what I hope will not be my altogether six years ago when the new, out- the dailies, the transition to a weekly wasn’t of-state owners of that small daily started last conference, and thanks for creating a that hard for me. And it was eased when I community that proves there’s more fun, demolishing the foundation on which I’d discovered ISWNE. built my career. opportunity, reward and freedom to do One of the things I appreciate most about good in community journalism — at the bot- When the publisher tells you with a straight the society is the Hotline e-mail list. I posed tom of the newspaper food chain — than face that your reporters must write adverto- a question last year that received dozens of there is at the top. rial copy or you lose one of them so he can responses: whether The Forecaster should use add a job in advertising — that’s when it’s a sitting town councilor as a regular colum- time to go. So I did. Mo Mehlsak can be contacted at nist. The overwhelming majority of you — [email protected]. The same morning I left that paper for the including my new friend Tim Waltner —

14 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors StudentStudent writingwriting aa lostlost andand dyingdying artart By Bryan E. Jones paper have been from fifth-grade students. just for making a Editor These are students who, certainly by this feeble “effort.” Versailles Leader-Statesman time in their educational path, should be We need to revisit Versailles, Mo. able to communicate simply and effectively the practice of Oct. 8, 2009 using the written word. classrooms in While there are a few refreshing excep- which teachers Editor’s note: This is the entry that won Bryan tions, the majority of the writing submitted are allowed to Jones first place for “Best Serious Column” in was illegible from a penmanship stand- teach what needs the NNA’s 2010 Better Newspaper Contest. point, requiring several people in the office to be taught and trying to decipher the scribbles and marks not be forced to A thin wooden handle cradles a nib that that our schools, evidently, routinely accept spend every class- holds just the right amount of ebony liquid as satisfactory. room minute Bryan E. Jones and deposits it upon the cream-colored Why do we allow to continue an education- “studying” for an paper in a way that is classically peculiar to al system that “rubber stamps” advance- assessment. the old way of writing. ment without demanding mastery of what Teachers need to uphold a stricter standard I dip the quill, write a few words in the best I perceive to be basic skills? of what is acceptable and the benchmark hand I can muster until the black ink Not everyone has beautiful penmanship, should not be the lowest common denomi- begins to dwindle, then dip again and con- but the standards to which I have seen nator. tinue. It is deliberate, calming, an antidote “acceptable” descend are pathetic. School districts, while their hands are often to the rushed and harried pace of modern It does not end there. Not only is the pen- bound in bureaucratic “red tape,” should life. manship severely lacking, spelling is horri- have the courage to demand excellence Writing a letter, especially using centuries- ble. I can understand an occasional pho- and, despite the pressure to “teach to the old technology, is a lost and dying art. In netically spelled word, but, as evidenced by test,” support programs that will emphasize the age of texting, twittering, and all man- the writings I have attempted to read, spell- the fundamentals of practical, real-world ner of instant messaging, the medium of ing is not a high educational priority. success. ink on paper seems almost avant-garde, a I am a little more lenient in the grammar Otherwise, we will be promoting and grad- bit rebellious and even daring. department, especially for 11-year-old uating students who are functionally bor- There are many things, such as the person- learners. Even so, the disconnected effort at dering on illiterate, who can’t compose a al, handwritten letter, that have gone to syntax, sentence structure, and word usage cover letter to apply for college acceptance the wayside, forgotten in the so-called I witnessed in these writings was disheart- nor construct a resume to acquire gainful “advances” of our world. We seem to have ening and genuinely concerning. employment, merely to keep the gradua- traded, even without realizing it, the last- tion rate numbers looking good and the I am appalled and saddened by this trend. federal dollars rolling in. ing for merely the expedient. This type of student work should not be What brought all this vividly to mind was condoned, accepted or encouraged. Those extra dollars, unfortunately, are not my observation of students’ writing submit- worth the price of a compromised educa- Perhaps our public education system has tion. ted to the paper for inclusion in our become more concerned with passing the “Newspapers in Education” page. mandated, arbitrary tests by which the Requiring our students to write legibly, Each week, we print the writing of students entire district is rated (and to which federal spell properly and construct sentences at Versailles Elementary School on whatev- dollars are attached) than with truly edu- accurately may seem a bit “old school” and er thoughts the teacher deems appropriate. cating our children. dated, but we need to rediscover that lost and dying art that will fly in the face of the It is an exciting thing for the students to be The type of education I am advocating is published and it fosters the use of the news- educational “advances” we think we have instruction and reinforcement of those life made. paper in the classroom. skills necessary to compete in the work- What is of grave concern to me, however, is force, hold down a job, communicate effec- A backlash against the mediocre may just the lack of quality, in almost all respects, tively, and interact socially with civility and be the next daring, avant-garde, educa- pertaining to what is required of our stu- respect. tional rebellion we need. dents, especially in the formative years, in We need to return to the form of learning the area of written communication. in which students are held accountable for Bryan E. Jones can be contacted at The most recent writing submissions to this the quality of their work and not rewarded [email protected].

August 2010 15 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors PosterPoster mocksmocks AshleyAshley Judd’sJudd’s toplesstopless photophoto afterafter actressactress comparescompares coalcoal miningmining processprocess toto ‘rape’‘rape’

By Anthony Benigno New York Daily News July 9, 2010

Kentucky coal miners are fighting to remove their tops. Their weapon of choice: a topless photo of Ashley Judd. Judd, an outspoken opponent of mountaintop coal mining (a mining process that involves blasting the tops off of mountains to extract coal), is now the unofficial face of a pro-mountaintop mining campaign in her home state of Kentucky, according to The Associated Press. A 5-by-3-foot poster hanging at a local golf tournament in the town of Prestonburg was on full display with the slogan: “Ashley Judd makes a living taking off her top. Why can’t coal miners?” Ashley Judd’s 2003 topless photo is now the face of an unofficial campaign in Kentucky to Plastered on the left side of the poster is a support the controversial practice of mountaintop coal mining. photo of the actress from a 2003 Marie is the residue that falls into surrounding area,” said David Gooch, president of the Claire article. In the picture, a topless Judd streams and the destruction the process Pikeville-based Coal Operators and mugs for the camera while covering her causes to the Appalachian peaks. Associates. Gooch’s company, along with bare breasts with her hands. Judd, who is a self-proclaimed “hillbilly,” the organization Friends of Coal, sponsored The poster is reportedly a retaliation by the also took the time to criticize the building the tournament where the poster was dis- locals against Judd for a June 9 speech in of golf courses over former mine sites. played. which the actress referred to mountaintop “I’m not too keen on reinforcing stereotypes Paul Hughes, assistant general manager of coal mining as “the rape of Appalachia.” about my people, but I don’t know a lot of the golf course where the tournament was “It is time to retire the cynical and superfi- hillbillies who golf,” she said in her speech. held, is reportedly planning to remove the poster and find out who owns it. But he cial coal company-created argument that While no one has claimed responsibility for we must choose between people, their jobs, might want to consider keeping it up: the poster, coal company officials have apparently, it was a big hit amongst the and our mountains,” Judd, 42, said in the reportedly given it their endorsement. speech. “That is simply false, fear-based locals. and fear-mongering.” “If you’re an eastern Kentuckian, if you’re a “All the people that was here yesterday, hillbilly — if that’s what you want to call they was all for it,” he said. According to the report, environmentalists’ yourself — you don’t go around and ridi- main issue with mountaintop coal mining cule and denigrate the other people of the Future Conferences Save the dates...upcoming ISWNE conferences 2011: July 5-10 Coventry, England 2012: June 26-30 Bellingham, Washington

16 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors OpenOpen letterletter toto StonecrestStonecrest posterposter donordonor By Ivy Brashear that you can’t just say “I don’t know any to harvest coal that The Hazard Herald hillbillies that golf” about a group of people will preserve this Hazard, Ky. who have been labeled as backward since land for genera- July 14, 2010 before mining even started. tions so that when Oh well, what’s done is done. You can’t the coal is gone, Dear Anonymous Ashley Judd Poster Donor, change what she said no matter the Appalachia will amount of money you spend trying to deci- still have some- I commend you, sir/madam, for your inge- thing to hold onto. nuity and creativity. It was really clever of mate her character. you to find the one public semi-naked pic- I believe the other statement she made that I don’t think ture of Ashley Judd, put it on a poster, and got your goat sir/madam was the one about Ashley Judd was hang it over at Stonecrest, the Appalachian mountaintop removal “raping Appalachia.” off base with her criticism of moun- golf course that she supposedly referenced I don’t see what’s so inaccurate about that, Ivy Brashear in her now infamous speech. However, I taintop removal or quite frankly. Rape, as defined by her description of it as “the rape of think you might have missed the point of a Dictionary.com, is “an act of plunder, vio- solid rebuttal to someone who just tried to Appalachia,” because, quite frankly, I think lent seizure, or abuse.” This accurately she was right. Her only fault was taking a stereotype you. Allow me to explain what I describes mountaintop removal coal min- mean by that. very public stand against mountaintop ing, which requires explosives to blow the removal. Doing such a thing is almost sacri- It’s not that I agreed whole-heartedly with tops off of mountains in order to get to the legious in eastern Kentucky, and that’s part what Ashley Judd said about us people of coal underneath. of the reason that Diane Sawyer didn’t get a the mountains. I’m from here and I don’t Study after study has proven that this type fancy poster after her “documentary” aired. golf, but I know people who do. My uncle of mining releases toxic levels of mercury, Sawyer ridiculed Appalachian people even and cousin are avid golfers. In fact, my cous- selenium, iron, sulfur and various other in got a golf scholarship to Pikeville College. more ridiculously than Ashley Judd did. Yet minerals into water supplies of people living Sawyer doesn’t have to deal with nearly as And just a couple of weeks ago, I went to near mine sites. Something tells me all these take pictures for the paper of a Hazard High much violent backlash because everyone toxins in the water can’t be good for the can agree that drugs are bad, which is what School golfer signing to play at the college environment, let alone human health. level. she highlighted in her show. Not only has mountaintop removal been It was clear that what Judd said about golf- Certain people in eastern Kentucky, though, proven to poison water supplies, but there are so offended by unfavorable opinions of ing hillbillies was a representation of her has also been evidence that it destroys the lack of knowledge about mountain people the coal industry you would think someone property of people living nearby. Found- lit a bunch of crosses on fire in the middle of and her willingness to trust generalizations ations on homes have been cracked beyond about us instead of taking the time to find a mountaintop removal site every time one repair making those homes unsafe to live in, person takes a stand against the industry. the truth. and sink holes have appeared on people’s And can anyone really blame her for not property seemingly out of nowhere. Ashley Judd had to know that people in knowing that truth? I don’t know about eastern Kentucky would not be happy about That doesn’t even take into account the what she said, and obviously, they weren’t, anybody else, but I’ve never really consid- threat of coal ash and slurry ponds busting ered Ashland a part of the mountains. Also, considering how viciously people are attack- open and flooding the valleys underneath ing her now. she didn’t even live there that long, and last mountaintop removal sites, just like the I heard, she’s living in Tennessee now, and sludge spill in Martin County in 2001. But, sir/madam, I really don’t think igno- we all know that’s about as far removed rantly comparing her to a stripper is the from eastern Kentucky as Knoxville is from I realize that mining employs a lot of people way to go. Especially when your statement: Lexington. in eastern Kentucky, and that mountaintop “Ashley makes a living taking her top off. removal creates all this flat land for us Why can’t coal miners?” makes it sound like Sure, she graduated from the University of mountain folk to use, because, for some rea- Kentucky and still comes to the basketball coal miners want to take their shirts off to son, we couldn’t use that space for anything make money. team’s home games every now and then. before the coal companies leveled it. And, yeah, she made a couple of trips to the Ashley Judd is an actress and, as far as I mountains to talk with people affected by The only problem with that seemingly per- know, has never made a living taking her mountaintop removal; but she’s not really fect picture is the fact that only about 3 per- clothes off. To focus on nudity as a way to from eastern Kentucky anymore than Diane cent of flat land created by mountaintop defame her character is not only ignorant, Sawyer is from Kentucky at all (Sawyer lost removal is actually being used for some- but it’s severely sexist as well. I’m quite cer- her native Kentucky status when she thing productive. The rest of it is just grass- tain that if a man had given the same denounced Kentuckians in that horrid “doc- land, filled with non-native grasses. speech Judd did, there would be no poster umentary,” Children of the Mountains). Please don’t misunderstand what I’m trying with his semi-naked body on it. And any- So, I can’t really blame her for not knowing to say, sir/madam — I don’t want to end way, this grossly offensive display is not that mountain people do indeed golf, that coal mining. I would never want to put going to keep people distracted long enough they have been golfing for decades, and someone out of a job or harm someone’s to divert attention away from the devastat- way of life. But there has to be a better way ing practice of mountaintop removal. continued on page 18

August 2010 17 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors IslandIsland SandSand PaperPaper mademade meme aa betterbetter manman By Carl Conley While the news has been full of stories decry- Saturdays and Editor and publisher ing the death of newspapers and our coun- Sundays seeing us The Island Sand Paper try is now in the third year of a devastating in the office at Sea May 13, 2010 financial upheaval, the Sand Paper continued Grape Plaza work- to flourish. I attribute that success to the ded- ing well into the This is the hardest editorial I have ever had icated staff, loyal readers and advertisers night. More than to write. The Island Sand Paper has been sold who choose to cast their lot with me. I want anything else, this to new owners — Missy and Bob Layfield — them to know that the new owners have incessant work load and Karen and I will be moving on to other pledged to continue running the newspaper brought us to sell. ventures though we will continue to have a the way I built it, relying on independent, on We really need a relationship with the paper as consultants the ground reporting to publish accurate, rest. informative articles that reflect the values of for a term of one year, some of it hands-on Despite this, clean- Carl Conley as the last two weeks reflect. our Island tapestry. The Layfields have ing out my desk repeatedly said they will be true to the com- this past weekend brought back poignant Taking my hand off the wheel after 10 years munity vision that gave me the strength to at the helm is hard. When it is a business memories. Hurricane Charley, trips to publish and meet deadlines without fail for Washington, liaisoning with the that was started from scratch, I assure you, the last ten years. it’s much harder. The Island Sand Paper is Commissioners, innumerable celebrities and almost like one of my own children. I gave I don’t know what the future holds for me. influential people interviews, the political birth to it in my mind in 1999 and the first Some have suggested that I run for Town battles to keep our Island soul intact, won- issue hit the street in 2000. Since then it has Council. Others want to see Karen and I derful concerts, heartwarming anniversaries, been a whirlwind; an ever-blowing wind of increase our involvement with the arts, sup- historical reflections, noteworthy recognition, high activity. Though it has been extremely porting and promoting more cultural events some mighty funny moments, sadness, joy, rewarding in almost every way — socially, possibly even expanding into the County a celebration, contemplation, introspection, politically, financially, culturally — the great- bit. A few close friends have urged me to intimate gatherings, huge parties, meander- est benefit has been what it has done for me reinstate my law license and take the Florida ings and deliberate direction. All these and spiritually. At 53, I turn over the Sand Paper Bar exam so I can practice law locally. All more have defined my life in the 21st centu- as a better man than I was over 10 years these ideas have merit but before deciding ry as the Publisher/Editor of The Island Sand ago, sitting in the Surf Club wondering on any new path, I want to decompress for Paper. It has been a decade learning how to whether it would even be possible to “invent” at least six months. Running a community love this Island even more than I did when I a newspaper in a community that already newspaper is more than a full-time job. I first set foot on it 35 years ago. had several to read. Thanks to Bruce Cermak wager, Karen and I put in at least 120 hours In a few short months I will be, once again, and Tom Myers who both spurred me for- a week, sometimes quite a bit more. The another Islander amongst many living with- ward, saying “If anyone can do it, you can, news never stops coming; certainly not out a title after my name, without a mission go for it.” Thanks fellows, your faith has been because it’s the weekend or evening. Those — at least for now! my greatest gain. close to us can vouch for the countless

Open letter to Stonecrest poster donor from page 17

Also, the picture you used on your poster reduces your opinion on the matter to a off-the-cuff statement you just couldn’t help was from Marie Claire magazine and corre- childish, playground “you have cooties” yourself from broadcasting all over the lated with an article about Ashley Judd refrain that simply proves what Ashley Judd news. fighting childhood AIDS. What a classy said about us being hillbillies. Two uninformed statements don’t make a move to choose that picture to bash her Something tells me that you don’t really truth, and playing into the very stereotype with. find your argument all that strong either, you are trying to fight does not make you Last I checked, this is America, and every- sir/madam, since you hung the poster anon- the better person. It just makes the stereo- one, be they Ashley Judd, pro-coal mining ymously and couldn’t even take credit for type true. groups or even me, a lowly newspaper your nifty little idea. Sincerely, reporter, has the right to express whatever I don’t fault you sir/madam for supporting opinion they so please. A non-golfing, mountain-loving, native east- the coal industry, just like I don’t fault the ern Kentucky Appalachian This, of course, doesn’t mean that you, sir/ coal miners for working for the coal indus- madam, don’t have the right to rebut her try. statements with your own opinion. Ivy Brashear can be contacted at What I do think, though, is that your argu- [email protected]. But making a poster that is so obviously ment, just like Ashley Judd’s, is now irrele- lacking in any real mature argument just vant and without credibility because of one,

18 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors AA balancedbalanced approachapproach toto handlinghandling publicpublic figures’figures’ dirtydirty laundrylaundry By Jim Pumarlo whether to publish information are made rather easily, especially if the items are An individual served six months in jail for first-degree criminal deemed public under state or federal laws. sexual conduct. Thirteen years later he filed for mayor. Candidates and readers alike are best served by “knowing the rules” – under- Another individual was arrested and charged with shoplifting a $6 standing that newspapers will be aggres- sewing kit — in her words, she had “forgotten” to pay during a sive in their pursuit of the news. Editors stressful time in her life shortly after her father’s death. Twelve should seize the opportunity to explain years later, she filed for statewide elective office. the ground rules in a column to readers. Do you report these transgressions as part of their candidacies? The fact that something is public informa- What’s your rationale? tion, however, may not be justification in Both of these circumstances occurred in Minnesota, and both were and of itself to report. A newspaper dis- reported. The decision to publish predictably drew a mixed reac- covered that an incumbent lawmaker Jim Pumarlo tion among campaign staffs and readers. paid her property taxes five days late — Election season is upon us when news “tips” routinely are pitched complete with penalty. No laws were broken. The story reported to media. Some are automatic news, some should be dismissed out that both her opponents paid their taxes on time, and there was of hand, and others warrant scrutiny for facts and relevance to the no indication that late payment was a recurring problem with the election. lawmaker. Editors could reasonably debate when the late payment There is no absolute “yes” or “no” as to when election-season tips warranted even the brief news item. turn into stories. Each must be evaluated for its news value just like Newsrooms should be especially cautious when tips surface as any other story pitched to newsrooms. And though editors may not 11th-hour charges. These items — typically attacks on candidates anticipate anything will surface in local campaigns, it’s a good — fall into two camps, and each prompts a different handling. idea to have a brainstorming session on how to handle tips in Some charges are strategically lobbed in the final days. The infor- advance of the heat of the political season. mation is known well in advance but surfaces late with the hope Elected officials and public employees are understandably held to that it might deliver a knockout punch. Editors are well within a higher level of accountability. Evaluating their conduct and their bounds to reject pursuing a story, even if the information is actions falls within a newspaper’s watchdog role. Candidates for deemed to have some legitimacy. elective office step into that same fishbowl. At the same time, edi- In rare cases, however, the information might address an issue tors and reporters should demand the same level of accountability that truly just came to light and warrants public attention. These of news sources as they do of the candidates themselves. stories do warrant coverage with all affected parties given an Don’t forget that candidates as well as public officials have private opportunity to respond. lives, too. For example, it may well be legitimate for a reader to Many of these circumstances can be avoided if newspapers are uti- comment in a letter to the editor on an unkempt rental property of lizing their collective eyes and ears. These tips usually circulate an elected official. But is it appropriate to publish criticism of an within a community with plenty of time to give them a full investi- off-color comment made by the official at a private party? gation and possible public airing. The electorate is the ultimate beneficiary of thorough and substan- Another element is often common to these tips. The information is tive coverage of the candidates and the issues. Some decisions on forwarded by unnamed sources or by individuals who wish to remain unidentified. Newspapers should have a clear policy on what circumstances dictate honoring a source’s request to remain anonymous — and who has the authority to make the final call. The exceptions to identifying sources should be especially rare when dealing with political charges. Editors and reporters constantly make judgment calls on what information is in the public realm and what is in the private domain. The clashes become more frequent during the political season. The litmus test should be whether the electorate is served by knowing a specific item. If so, newspapers should take the necessary steps to report the information in timely and responsible fashion so all parties have ample time to respond and react.

Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training on Community Newsroom Success Strategies. He is author of “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in a Small-Town ISWNE conference attendees tour a coal surface mine near Hazard, Newspaper.” He can be contacted at www.pumarlo.com. Ky.

August 2010 19 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors YouYou won’twon’t findfind newspapersnewspapers adsads inin trashtrash cancan By Paula Barnett participation as well. It helps the voters eight of the slick Publisher make their decisions. colorful cards in Woodruff County MONITOR Now let’s talk about the district and state the trash without a McCrory, Ark. candidates. I saw many TV ads, heard many glance. June 23, 2010 radio ads, and received numerous direct- What I would like mail ads. But our newspaper received only to tell those candi- Editor’s note: Paula Barnett says she received one ad from a state candidate. That ad was dates is that they some good feedback on this editorial and that from Monty Davenport running for will not find a copy she hopes to get the message to some of her dis- Commissioner of Lands. His opponent, L.J. of the MONITOR in trict and state candidates before the November Bryant, came to our office and visited with the trash at the general election. us, and I found him a very personable and post office. Why? charming young man, and he did win the Because the people Paula Barnett We’ve recently been through a worldwind election. But I felt more connection with Mr. who get the election period with a few local races and Davenport, because he could see the impor- MONITOR pay for it, they read it, they pass it many heated state races. One thing that I, as tance of the small newspaper, and he around, they don’t throw it away without a newspaper publisher, have taken note of is appears to be the only one who could. looking at it. And maybe some of them are how the candidates advertise. I strongly considered taking a photo of the like me — they notice who shows some trash can at the post office and sending it to respect for those of us in the small rural com- Local candidates are nearly always loyal to munities of Arkansas. their local paper, and we show our apprecia- the various state candidates, as it was over- tion by offering various forms of free publici- flowing with direct mail campaign materials. ty for any willing to take advantage of it. I’m I received many myself but can’t say I looked Paula Barnett can be contacted at sure our readers appreciate the candidates’ at any of them. With my own eyes I wit- [email protected]. nessed several people dump as many as The case against check-passing pictures By David Green dearth of check-passing photos. I think we added bonus at the Publisher would still win even if they were included. newsstand. State Line Observer I’m saying this to let you know that I don’t If a check is for the Morenci, Mich., and Fayette, Ohio worry about a contest judge when I decide new infrared cam- what photos I’m using. Besides, the odds are era that the fire If only every newspaper editor in America pretty good that the judge uses these photos department will would sign a pledge reading, in his or her own paper. (That reminds me of use, take a photo one of my all-time favorite newspaper judge with someone from “Check-passing pictures are about the stu- comments: “This paper looks just looks pidest photograph possible and I will no lon- the fire depart- mine!” First place.) The only reason I don’t ment demonstrat- ger use them.” Then the few of us who don’t use them is because they’re so silly. include them wouldn’t look like such ing how the cam- schmucks. I certainly don’t recommend that others fol- era works to a cou- David Green low my lead because I know I have too little ple of the donors. Why do newspapers publish check-passers? “refrigerator news.” It’s a failing of mine. I Because sometime back in history a hurried New equipment for the ambulance? Have use a lot of team photos, both sports and the EMT strap it on the donor. Tell the story editor with a lot of space to fill was at a academic, and I have my share of photos meeting and he said, “OK, you guys line up minus the check — the check that’s too small with people standing there looking at the to read anyway. here and you two come up in front. You hold camera, but I use far fewer than neighboring the check with your right hand, you hold it papers. I know you aren’t going to sign a pledge with your left hand, then look at the camera against check-passing, plaque-giving, etc., and smile.” But I do suggest this: Think about the photo but at least consider pledging to think about ahead of time before lining up the hand- the story and how to tell it visually. This doesn’t happen in real life; it’s only shake. when a newspaper guy with a camera is around. If a check is being passed to buy dictionaries David Green can be contacted at for a school class, then get a photo of some- [email protected]. We win Michigan’s top small weekly award one from the club distributing the dictionar- more years than not, but it’s not because of a ies to students. You get kids in the photo; an

20 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors StevensonStevenson respondsresponds toto ISWNE’sISWNE’s ‘Quote‘Quote ofof thethe Month’Month’ Former U.S. Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III 1810. Stevenson, 79, received a copy of the June ISWNE newslet- “The Black Book was started by great grandfa- manages a farm ter, courtesy of P. Carter Newton, publisher ther Adlai I — a binder in which from gener- near Galena and of The Galena (Ill.) Gazette. A statement ation to generation we added materials for maintains an office attributed to Stevenson’s father was featured our speeches. I have taken it as a starting and home in as the “Quote of the Month.” place for a book which records experiences Chicago. He served “I sent my copy of the latest ISWNE newslet- in American politics and history over five in the Illinois ter to one of our part time and long time res- generations as a means of recalling — and House of idents, Adlai E. Stevenson III,” Carter said. “I contrasting — values which created this Representatives, as thought he’d get a kick out of seeing his country and today’s. It contains a chapter on Illinois state trea- father’s image and quote on the front page.” the Press. Our family started and once surer and in the owned the Bloomington Daily Pantagraph. U.S. Senate from Stevenson responded to Newton in a letter 1970-81. He was Adlai E. Stevenson III dated July 1: “The quote is a perfect illustration of how the the unsuccessful “The quote in the ISWNE [newsletter] comes Black Book enlivened our speeches — some- Democratic candidate for governor of Illinois from The Black Book which records: ‘An editor times without attribution. So thanks for that, in 1982 and 1986. too. Very thoughtful of you. is one who separates the wheat from the The Black Book is available for $27.50 at chaff and prints the chaff. I met the scurrili- “We enjoy the Galena Gazette — a real asset www.adlai3.com. Autographed copies are ties of the news writers without concern, for its communities. According to the Black $50. while in pursuit of the great interests with Book, every community had its newspaper which I was charged.’ Thomas Jefferson, and every newspaper its community — then.”

Two staffers from the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication, known as ZAMCOM, attended the ISWNE conference in Kentucky. Justina Phiri Mthoniswa is manager of ZAMCOM’s print program and Bruce J.C. Chooma works with her on the HIV-AIDS project. They enjoyed a moment with ISWNE President Jim Painter (seated) and Past President Bill Haupt (standing).

August 2010 21 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors ProposalProposal forfor ceasefireceasefire inin WestWest MarinMarin ‘newspaper‘newspaper war’war’ By David V. Mitchell Chapter 13 (individual bankruptcy) to has long been Sparsely Sage and Timely blog Chapter 7 (possible liquidation) or Chapter active in West Point Reyes Station, Calif. 11 (reorganization). Marin civic affairs, July 18, 2010 MMI now says it later told the trustee — especially those when he asked — that the nonprofit was no involving the arts. Posted by David Mitchell under The Point longer interested in buying The Citizen. But On Friday she Reyes Light Newspaper, West Marin Citizen the damage had been done. Faced with emailed me a peti- either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11, Joel and tion that was also The Wall Street Journal last Wednesday pub- sponsored by six lished the latest in a series of out-of-town- Kathie have now voluntarily dismissed their bankruptcy protection, and Joel told me he other people who media reports on the dispute between The are likewise promi- Point Reyes Light and The West Marin Citizen. will dip into his own IRA to pay off their debts. nent around Point Dave Mitchell The report ran under the headline: Reyes Station: Steve “Newspaper War Rages in West Marin.” How much do they owe? Joel has repeatedly Costa, Chris Giacomini, Michael Mery, Claire With many West Marin residents wishing the said the total he and his wife owe the IRS Peaslee, Jonathan Rowe, and Murray Suid. and State Franchise Tax Board is roughly “war” would end, more than 300 people as “Prompted by the difficulties between our of Monday evening had signed a petition $25,000. When I checked the bankruptcy trustee’s later-abandoned repayment plan, two weekly newspapers, those of us listed calling for both sides to get together and [above] met to discuss how we could encour- work out their differences. my calculation of the debts was in line with Joel’s number. age the owners of the papers to unite in The dispute went public a month ago when some way for the good of the community,” Citizen owner Joel Hack published a “Extra” MMI chairman Corey Goodman, however, the cover letter said. edition accusing Marin Media Institute, the last month told me that MMI’s check of Joel’s the bankruptcy filing had found that he real- “We’re writing to ask if you [the public] will nonprofit that had just bought The Light, of support this effort by adding your name in attempting a “hostile takeover.” The edition ly owes $500,000 to $600,000. I ran this number by Joel, who said it was ridiculous. support of the statement below. The inten- said that MMI was trying to take advantage tion is to bring the owners to the table to of Joel’s personal financial problems to gain His only large debt, he said, is a convention- al mortgage of $165,000 on his house. work out a solution that is acceptable to all. control of The Citizen. Use the following blog website to respond if Joel is married to Kathie Simmons, an attor- I didn’t hear more about the supposed you agree with the statement intent: http:// ney in Sonoma County. Kathie, who does $500,000-to-$600,000 debt until The Wall www.westmarinblog.org/ business as a one-attorney law firm, had to Street Journal article came out. It reported, “Mr. Goodman says he found out through “We hope you will be joined by many other dip into her IRA several times in recent years friends, readers and advertisers. The propos- to cover business expenses. Google search that Mr. Hack had declared personal bankruptcy and owed the Internal al along with all our names and the list of The problem, Joel told me, was that because Revenue Service as much as $500,000.” advertisers will be submitted to both papers, she was under 59 and 1/2, she had to pay with a request that they publish the full list. penalties for the early withdrawals. Without Accusing Corey and MMI of sloppy research, If you support the initiative and would like to the funds to pay the penalties and failing to Joel last Thursday said that amount is actu- have your name appear with ours, consider file some tax returns in a timely manner, the ally the total of what he and his wife had signing by Tuesday, July 20th (we hope this couple saw their initial debt of $4,000 to listed in their bankruptcy filing as “exempt will be published on July 22nd).” assets” — assets that under bankruptcy law $5,000 to the IRS and the State Franchise Tax The petition to both publishers reads as fol- Board balloon to $26,000. are shielded from creditors. These include his IRA and their house. The Journal subsequent- lows: On Feb. 26, Joel and Kathie filed for Chapter ly published a correction at the request of “There is broad interest in West Marin in the 13 protection (from creditors) under U.S. MMI. emergence of a single newspaper that serves Bankruptcy laws. They then began paying For Corey to have even talked to The Wall us all. The current competition between two off their back state and federal income taxes weekly papers is not working. It forces both at the rate of $600 a month. Under Chapter Street Journal about the couple’s debts irritat- ed Joel. “The bankruptcy is over,” he said. to struggle — journalistically and financially 13, they could do this over 36 months with- — and it strains the loyalties and resources of out incurring additional penalties. “It’s been voluntarily dismissed, and my personal finances are no longer subject to public advertisers, readers and contributors alike. However, MMI’s attorney Doug Ferguson scrutiny.” We urge that you end this situation, which is then notified the bankruptcy trustee that the depriving the community of the strong, sta- nonprofit had negotiated unsuccessfully to The Wall Street Journal meanwhile quoted me ble paper we need. as saying the dispute between the papers “is buy The Citizen and would still be willing to “Both papers exist to serve the community. buy the paper if the trustee liked the idea. extremely bitter. We’re reaching the point where an awful lot of people would like The owners of both are clearly committed to Citing attorney Ferguson’s letter, the bank- everybody to just quiet down the fighting.” that purpose. But the current situation is ruptcy trustee last month recommended the working against what both papers want to bankruptcy court convert Joel’s and Kathie’s Among those people is Nancy Bertelsen, who achieve, and against the best interests of

continued on page 23

22 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Re-designRe-design leadsleads toto sweepsweep ofof awardsawards The Mountaineer newspaper of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, received several awards presented by the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association at its symposium in Edmonton June 4. The Mountaineer, included in the 3,500 to 6,499 circulation category, received first-place honors in the best overall, best front page, best editorial page and best sports page categories, sweeping all the awards in its circulation category for the 2009 calendar year. The judges use as a basis for their decision two randomly selected issues from the year in question. The recognition was received with gratitude by brother-and-sister owners Glen Mazza and Gail Krabben, who in 2009 decided to give The Mountaineer its first re-design in three decades. Expert consultants Ed Henninger and Ken Blum provided their advice, style and expertise in the re-design, along with input from current and former staff. The older, 1970s-style broadsheet with dense text and small pictures was replaced by a fresh, easy-to-read paper with large photos, info boxes, eye-catching fonts and more. Judges D’Arcy Kavanagh of Lethbridge College, Lori Martin of the Barrie Advance and Gerald Tracey of the Eganville Leader ranked newspapers in 11 categories, including things like local feature, community news, production quality, advertising design and editorial/op-ed. The Mountaineer had an overall aggregate score of 857 out of a possible 1,000 points, the highest aggregate of any newspaper which entered the competition. Mountaineer Publisher Glen Mazza (right) receives the Best Overall Publisher Mazza was on-hand at the banquet at Edmonton’s Radisson Newspaper award from AWNA representative George Brown June 4 Hotel to receive the award plaques and was modest. He recognized his at the Radisson hotel in Edmonton. sister, Gail, for the leadership on the re-design, his staff members for their hard work and thanked the judges for their time. nity news, 45 out of 50 for local feature and 87.7 out of 100 for editorial/op-ed, the highest editorial/op-ed score out of any newspaper which Mazza also said his late father and brother, publisher/editor Lawrence entered the 2009 competition. and editor Brian Mazza, would have been proud of the staff. “Content is the foundation of the newspaper,” said Salkeld. “Our Editor Stu Salkeld said he was proud of the work his reporters were reporters work very hard to provide accurate, relevant content for our doing, earning scores from the judges of 139.3 out of 150 for commu- local readers.”

Proposal for ceasefire in ‘newspaper war’ from page 22

West Marin. Readers and advertisers are on either side. Instead, we call upon you to www.westmarinblog.org/ and type in your weary and do not want this fractured situa- start fresh and seek a way forward, to restore name and hometown. The web page tion to continue. We want a unified commu- the vitality and viability of West Marin’s includes a list of people who have already nity. local media. signed. “Specifically, we urge the owners of both “We know that resolving this will not be papers and their representatives to begin an easy. But we feel that the task is important — Addendum: On July 22, The West Marin open discussion to work out a more positive and a responsibility of our local journalism Citizen printed the cover letter, the petition, the relationship than is the case now. Using the establishment. We all look forward to sup- names of its sponsors, and the names of the services of a mediator would probably be porting you and to helping in any way that more than 300 people who signed it. The Point helpful. A new relationship might include a we can. Something great can take the place Reyes Light the same day published the cover merger of the two papers or any number of of the current tensions: something can letter and names of the sponsors but neither the agreements that have not been imagined emerge that the whole community can sup- petition nor the 300 signatures. before now but that would be mutually ben- port.” eficial. The petition caught me by surprise, but I’ve David Mitchell can be contacted at “In any case, negotiations should be without signed it, and I urge other West Marin resi- www.sparselysageandtimely.com. conditions or preconceptions, and with nei- dents to do the same so we can quiet down ther recriminations nor need for apologies the fighting. It’s easy. Just click on http://

August 2010 23 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors K-StateK-State SchoolSchool ofof JournalismJournalism toto celebratecelebrate 100100 yearsyears The A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University is having its centennial celebration Sept. 2-4. The celebration kicks off with the 11th annual Huck Boyd Lecture in Community Media at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, in Forum Hall in the K-State Student Union. Gail Pennybacker, an award-winning journalist at ABC7/WJLA-TV in Arlington, Va., and a 1981 K-State journalism and mass communications graduate, will present “Local News: Why it Will Always be Critical Coverage.” The lecture is open to the public. Since joining WJLA-TV in 1986, Pennybacker has covered many of the top news stories of other items. tor of the A.Q. Miller School for Journalism the day, including the Sept. 11 terror attacks, A panel of photojournalists, all former and Mass Communications. the Beltway sniper shootings and the Marv K-Staters and many former K-State Collegian In conjunction with centennial events, the Albert assault charges. She also reported and Royal Purple photographers, will present department will be raising money for the from the Persian Gulf during the war with their work at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Union’s Dave MacFarland Tools for Tomorrow Iraq. Forum Hall. The panel discussion is open to Technology Fund. The fund was established The lecture is sponsored by the Huck Boyd the public. in 2008 to honor MacFarland on his retire- National Center for Community Media. Other events will include alumni workshops ment from the journalism and mass commu- “This lecture is important for the field of with current students, a banquet and silent nications’ faculty. MacFarland believes that community journalism because it highlights auction, a night in Aggieville, campus tours students and faculty need current technology the tremendous influence that community and a tailgate party before the K-State-UCLA to excel in their work. The goal of the cam- media have on the health of their communi- football game. paign is to raise $100,000 for the program’s 100 years. The money will be used to buy ties,” said Gloria Freeland, director of the Chad Stebbins, ISWNE executive director, Huck Boyd National Center for Community cameras, computers, convergence software will represent the Society at the Sept. 3 ban- and other technology tools. Media and centennial coordinator for the quet. K-State has a close relationship with school of journalism and mass communica- ISWNE and was a finalist to become the A formal journalism curriculum began at tions. Society’s headquarters in 1992. K-State in 1910 when Charles J. Dillon from the Kansas City Star was hired to teach repor- As part of the centennial celebration, a “Our alumni are some of the most accom- memorabilia room will be open to the public torial work and establish an industrial jour- plished media professionals in the world. nalism program separate from printing. from 1:30-4 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Union’s They are in journalism and digital media, Cottonwood Room. The event will showcase Students were required to concurrently study advertising, public relations, education and one of the industrial arts — agriculture, materials relating to each of the program’s many other fields. We are looking forward to 10 decades. Materials will include letters home economics or engineering — with their reuniting with alumni, former faculty and journalism classes. from alumni, event programs, old newspa- friends at K-State,” said Angela Powers, direc- pers, Royal Purple yearbooks, photos and ?????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????NeedNeed AnswersAnswers toto ToughTough Questions?Questions? Do you have a tough question about editorial policy or journalism ethics? If so, send it to ISWNE executive director Chad Stebbins at [email protected], and he’ll email all ISWNE members. You can expect a quick and informed response from your colleagues, who may have encountered a similar situation at their newspaper.

24 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors MoveMove toto MississippiMississippi leavesleaves meme outout ofof aa jobjob By Douglas Perret Starr you have done for me, none of which will I teaching one Professor of Agricultural Journalism ever forget. course a semester. Texas A&M University In fact, every time I pick up my iPad, I He did not say yes, remember that good bye party. Wow !!! nor did he say no, ISWNE member Doug Starr has been a frequent What a sendoff. but he did say that contributor to the Hotline and newsletter. he plans to hire I figure that, as long as I have to depart, I’m one or two instruc- glad that my last six years of teaching was in tors for the Spring Dear All: ALEC because I leave with a burst of happi- 2011 term. So, I This is kind of long, but I have quite a bit to ness, good cheer, and camaraderie all may find another say. So, please, put up with me. around. All of that almost obliterates the classroom. sadness of departing. I will remember the At the end of Thursday 15 July 2010, I will be good times, of which there were many, and All that’s left for Douglas Perret Starr out of a job. Again. try to forget the sadness. me to do in pack up my household — what a chore that is — But this time, of my own volition; it’s time to My plan is to relocate to Jackson, Miss., to go. I retire after 36 years of teaching: 12 sell the house — another chore — and sign a live with my second wife, Carolyn, no later, I bunch of papers to retire. years, University of North Texas; 24 years, hope, than September. All of her family, chil- Texas A&M University. dren, grandchildren, brother, nieces, neph- So, now it comes to the end. What do I say? I go with mixed feelings. I am glad, of ews, et al, live there, so she prefers to stay Good bye, thank you, I will not, I can not, course, to be with my wife, but I am sad to there. I have no one in Brazos County, so I forget any of you. You are in my book of fond leave TAMU and the Department of Food… am moving to be with Carolyn. memories. er…I mean of Leadership, Education, and I contacted the head of the Department of Communications, and the many friends I Journalism at Mississippi (Baptist) College in Douglas Perret Starr can be contacted at have made among faculty, staff, and stu- Clinton Miss., (20 minutes southeast of [email protected]. dents. I have never been happier in any job I where Carolyn lives) about the possibility of have held. Thank you all for that and for all DownloadingDownloading documentsdocuments fromfrom PACERPACER website,website, postingposting themthem asas PDFsPDFs providesprovides thoroughthorough coveragecoverage By John M. Wylie II them to our website as PDF files. Our coverage was Publisher We got the bill today for all but a few filings so thorough and Oologah Lake Leader (the case settled July 13 but a few documents complete that the Oologah, OK still must be filed to implement the settle- school board and ment). administrators A group of parents sued the Oologah-Talala learned of the set- Grand total: 180 trips to the website, 974 bill- tlement and saw School District, several administrators, and able pages (any document over 30 pages is the city of Owasso and the police officer who the actual docu- charged only at 30 pages, although some fil- ments on our web- handled the school’s K9 drug program in ings in the case neared 100 pages) and a bill April. site, before their for $77.92. own attorneys had It was immediately evident that the case was But it meant that visitors to Oologah.net a chance to brief emotionally charged. It also was clear that could read any or all court documents that them. John M. Wylie II both sides would complain if we didn’t interested them. Claiming bias was impossi- include the complete texts of the major fil- And our readers seemed very satisfied with ble, because we posted everything and the arrangement. ings — something that would be impossible referred to documents online in both print due to the sheer volume. and web versions of the story — and even on The solution? Download the documents from our Facebook page. John M. Wylie II can be contacted at lakelead- the PACER federal court website and post [email protected].

August 2010 25 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors TPTP PrintingPrinting purchasespurchases TribuneTribune RecordRecord GleanerGleaner By Dean Lesar of a larger organization that has more pub- “We feel strongly Tribune Phonograph lishing resources. With Kris and Kevin’s expe- that every paper Abbotsford, Wis. rience in community newspapering and should have a local Aug. 4, 2010 their insight into what readers want in their editorial,” O’Leary hometown paper, the sale of the TRG to them and Flink said. On Monday, Aug. 2, the Abbotsford based was an easy decision to make.” Lesar said he publishing company TP Printing Co. Inc. Lesar, who has worked at the TRG for 24 would only have completed the purchase of the weekly Tribune years, will stay on as the editor and will be sold the TRG to a Record Gleaner (TRG) newspaper in Loyal, responsible for the news product. He will buyer who is com- Wis. The move should strengthen the news receive coverage help from TP Printing staff, mitted to keeping coverage and advertising reach of the TRG as which will allow the paper to provide more intact an impor- TP Printing Co. adds to its family of weekly in depth local news coverage and return to tant piece of every Kris O’Leary newspapers in Abbotsford and Medford. covering sports news for the high schools in hometown — its TP Printing owners, Kris O’Leary and Kevin Loyal, Greenwood, Spencer and Granton. community newspaper. Flink, decided earlier this year to pursue pur- The staffs at the TRG and TP Printing’s “I grew up in Greenwood and remember the chase of the TRG from publisher Dean Lesar, papers will be able to share their work with TRG always being the place to look for the who has owned the independent weekly each other, making each of the papers stron- news that matters to local folks,” he said. “As since purchasing it from Bob and Florence ger in breadth of coverage. editor and then publisher of the TRG for quite Berglund in 1998. TP Printing also publishes the Central some time now, I’ve been fortunate to have The TRG’s primary coverage area of Loyal, Wisconsin Shopper. Combination advertising had a chance to make sure our local towns Spencer, Greenwood and Granton is a natu- packages are being developed for the publi- hang on to their own paper. ral extension of TP Printing’s current news cations that will give area advertisers an “Kris and Kevin understand the importance and advertising coverage area, which attractive means of reaching readers of both of a local paper’s role in the community and includes Colby and Unity. the company’s paid circulation papers and I’m sure will share my pride in carrying it the Shopper. TP Printing already owns the Tribune forward. I think this business transaction will Phonograph, which primarily covers One thing all TRG readers can count on is a greatly enhance the TRG’s viability as a busi- Abbotsford, Colby, Curtiss, Dorchester and continued emphasis on local news. Com- ness and strengthen its ability to be the voice Unity; and The Record Review, which covers mentary on local news issues will return to of Loyal, Greenwood, Spencer and Granton. Edgar, Marathon, Stratford and Athens. Its the TRG’s opinion page with the formation of I’m excited about what we’ll be able to do sister paper, The Star News in Medford, is pub- an editorial board to review topics for discus- here.” lished by Carol O’Leary and focuses on sion. Medford, Gilman, Rib Lake and the rest of Taylor County. “Kevin and I decided to approach Dean about a sale because we thought it was a good fit with our newspapers,” Kris O’Leary said. Readers of the TRG can expect to see much of their newspaper remain the same as it has been, except that news and local high school sports coverage will expand with the assistance of TP Printing’s current staff. Due to the economic downturn of the past two years and the resultant decrease in local advertising revenues, Lesar had been forced to cut back on news/sports coverage expenses to keep the business viable. “The financial reality of a hometown weekly newspaper is quite a bit different than it was when I bought the TRG 12 years ago,” Lesar said. “With the Internet and other media sources competing much more strongly for readers’ time and advertising dollars, it’s been harder and harder to keep a small, independent paper profitable. The best Conference co-host Liz Hansen visits with Ben Gish at The Mountain Eagle office in option to keep the TRG thriving and meeting Whitesburg, Ky. its readers’ needs was to put it in the hands

26 August 2010 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

Conference co-host Al Cross speaks to the ISWNE group outside the old state capitol building in Frankfurt, Ky.

ISWNE Foundation Contributors since Dec. 1, 2009 (does not include donations to Past Presidents' Scholarship)

Stringer ($10 to $99) Editorial page editor ($300 to $399) Mary Lou and Bob Estabrook Ellen Albanese Managing editor ($400 to $499) Jeanne Pease Jim and Gail Painter Steve Andrist Garrett Ray Fred Noer Editor in chief ($500 to $999) Tom Wills Cub reporter ($100 to $199) Albert Scardino Donald Q. and Nancy Smith Tim and Mary Waltner Publisher ($1,000) Bill and Jan Haupt Robert B. Trapp Named scholarship ($10,000) Copy editor ($200 to $299) Donald and Deborah Brod Gary and Helen Sosniecki Jane Steinmetz Total raised: $3,225 Roger Holmes

August 2010 27 - -

was was , Class E; E; Class ,

Gazette

Wainwright Star Star Wainwright

has been judged the the judged been has @mssu.edu c Rocky Mountain House House Mountain Rocky FIRST CLASS Dr. Chad Stebbins Chad Dr. Director Executive ISWNE & Editor Studies International of Institute Director, of Institute the by Produced Studies International Missouri Southern State University State Southern Missouri Road Newman E. 3950 64801-1595 MO Joplin, 625-9736 (417) FAX 659-4445 (417) stebbins- , Class C; C; Class , placed fourth in judging of editori of judging in fourth placed The Macleod Gazette Macleod The Gazette

Canmore-Banff Rocky Mountain Outlook Mountain Rocky Canmore-Banff , Class F. Class , also placed first for best front page and second second and page front best for first placed also The Taber Times Taber The judged best in Alberta in best judged , Class D; D; Class , was honoured June 4 during the Alberta Weekly Weekly Alberta the during 4 June honoured was , Class A; Class , St. Albert Gazette Albert St. Gazette al pages. al the were all-around best as honoured papers Other Chronicle Mountaineer and Winners will be honored on Oct. 2, during the NNA’s annual con annual NNA’s the during 2, Oct. on honored be will Winners Neb. Omaha, in vention Gazette row a in year fourth the For Alberta. in size its of paper best The Edmonton. at Meeting Spring annual Association’s Newspapers Gazette the awards three of one was all-around best as Selection The Competition. Newspapers Better 2009 the in won circulated that Alberta in newspapers among all-around best judged copies. 1,999 to 1,200 Gazette Macleod The The pages. sports best for International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors - - Institute of International Studies - Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO 64801-1595 E ISWN in Missouri, has has Missouri, in the

, the society’s journal,quarterly in still more countries. . ISWNE headquarters at were Northern at Illinois Dekalb University from Independent Versailles Leader-Statesman Leader-Statesman Versailles bout Grassroots Editor Grassroots (Colo.) A Littleton Littleton , editor of the the of editor , The International (ISWNE)Society Editors Newspaper of Weekly founded was in 1955 at Southern Illinois University R.(SIU) by Howard Long, then chair of DepartmentSIU’s of Journalism at Carbondale, and thenHoustoun Waring, of editor the This publication will be in made formats available alternative upon request to Chad 417-625-9736. Stebbins annual conferences, presenting awards, annual issuing presenting conferences, publications, awards, and encouraging international exchanges. There are ISWNE members in Canada, States, theKingdom,the United Ireland, United Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. There are subscribers to 1976 to 1992, in at Brookings Southfrom University 1992 State Dakota to 1999. Missouri Southern University State in Joplin became the headquarters in 1999. ISWNE’s purpose is to in help standards thosetheof writing editorial and press involved weekly to improve news reporting and to encourage strong, independent The voices. editorial society seeks to fulfill its purpose by holding Both wins were in the non-daily division. There were 1,990 entries in in entries 1,990 were There division. non-daily the in were wins Both were awards 634 of total A Contest. Newspaper Better year’s this states. 37 in newspapers member 143 by won writing.” Column” Serious “Best in mention honorable an garnered also Jones employees. young of expectations workplace the about piece a for ing,” said the judges. “The column tackles a timely topic of both both of topic timely a tackles column “The judges. the said ing,” com written and language declining — concern national and local happen is this why for case strong a makes and — skills munication drawer top is This it. combat to how and effects, potential its ing, “The quality of the writing, the flow, skillful argumentation and and argumentation skillful flow, the writing, the of quality “The the when time a at out stand it makes column this of readability declin is columns and editorials stories, news in writing of quality won two awards in the NNA’s 2010 Better Newspaper Contest. Newspaper Better 2010 NNA’s the in awards two won the about piece a for Column” Serious “Best in place first won Jones on reprinted is column That writing. student of quality diminishing newsletter. this of 15 page Bryan Jones wins two NNA awards NNA two wins Jones Bryan Jones Bryan