IN THIS ISSUE: SUIT FILED: PG 03 | Tulsa World seeks release of inmate photos NEW FACULTY MEMBERS: PG 07 | OU’s Gaylord College adds staff members DISASTER PLAN: PG 12 | Pull this page out complete before disaster strikes Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association Vol. 80, No. 9 • Sixteen Pages • September 2009

Download The Oklahoma Publisher in PDF format at www.OkPress.com/the-oklahoma-publisher FIRE DESTROYS ANADARKO DAILY NEWS The foremost concern art gallery owned by the again on Monday – the on Carolyn McBride’s McBrides and located second time toting a tem- mind Saturday, Aug. 24, as around the corner from the porary “Anadarko Daily she watched the The Ana- newspaper office. Carla and News” banner. Wilma darko Daily News building her husband, David, pulled Melot, the OPA’s computer burn to a husk was how she office furniture from stor- consultant, was already and her staff would publish Monday’s edition. McBride, co-publisher ‘How on earth would we have gotten by without of The Daily News along with her husband Joe, is no our friends? The press people really helped us stranger to disaster. It was and I really appreciate it.’ only in May that a tornado came through Anadarko Carolyn McBride, Co-Publisher Anadarko Daily News and ripped the roof off of the building. age and began to assemble hard at work setting up While firemen from desks and computers in The Daily News’ computer four counties worked to their temporary shop. network. save businesses connected Efforts continued into “How on earth would to The Daily News and Sunday as friends, family, we have gotten by with- adjacent bar where the fire staff and fellow newspa- out our friends?” asked started, McBride and her per publishers extended a McBride. “The press peo- daughter, Carla McBride- helping hand to get The ple really helped us and I Alexander, prepared a list Daily News back up and really appreciate it.” of equipment and supplies running. Many people helped Joe McBride Jr., co-publisher of The Anadarko Daily News, fields phone calls as he surveys they would need to publish By Monday, the El Reno out, she said. Anadarko the charred remains of the newspaper office. The fire, which started on Aug. 24 in the the newspaper. Tribune, The Purcell Reg- Bank & Trust showed up building next door, completely destroyed the newspaper building and all its contents. By the afternoon of the ister, The Clinton Daily with wastebaskets full of fire, it was clear that the News, Oklahoma City office supplies along with to-date; the rest were older of dollars. I couldn’t ed with just enough mate- building and everything in Friday, The Seminole Pro- new bankbooks, binders versions. believe it.” rial for a front page, said it was a total loss. Carla, ducer, Marietta Monitor, and staplers. “We didn’t have the With software updated, McBride. The top story executive administrator for The Duncan Banner, Hugo Even The Daily News’ serial numbers or any- computers networked and was the horrific murder of The Daily News, drove to Daily News and Oklahoma software provider stepped thing after the fire,” said banner displayed for all Pastor Carol Daniels whose Oklahoma City, purchased Press Association offered up, McBride said. McBride. “Carla called to see that The Anadarko body was found Sunday in three new Macintosh com- support either in person or Quark is The Daily Quark. They found the Daily News was alive a local church. The second puters and ordered two by phone. News’ program of choice numbers for us and upgrad- and kicking, the process story was the fire at the more. Mark Thomas, execu- for building ads and lay- ed all five copies for the of publishing Monday’s newspaper. The Daily News set tive vice-president of OPA, out. Only one of the five minimal upgrade charge. newspaper began. “Then, in walks the up shop in Main One, an showed up Sunday and copies they owned was up- “It saved us thousands Monday’s edition start- Continued on Page 11 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST REMINDER September 28 is the date all entries must be postmarked by for competition in the 2009 Better Newspaper Contest. Contest rules, events, entry form and mailing labels are available online at www.OkPress.com/opa-better-newspaper-contest. For questions contact Lisa Potts or Jennifer Gilliland at (405) 499-0020 or 1-888-815-2672. 2 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 OPA PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Time to think of disaster planning by MARK THOMAS, OPA EXECUTIVE VP congratulated for their cooperation and efforts to help the newspaper recover. It was a typical calm, cool, early Sun- CatseyeBYBY GLORIA TRTROTTER,OTTER, My memories of past newspaper disas- day morning, except I was standing in the ters, or near disasters, kept invading my PPublisherublisher ooff The CountCountywideywide & SuSunn ashes of the Anadarko Daily News. thoughts. The fire in Chandler and Ada, The roof was on the floor. Computers and fire scares in Wetumka, Haskell, Road trip! There’s nothing quite like it, especially if your traveling companion is the were melted. Press roller rust spots began Holdenville and Carnegie. I thought of witty, thoughtful and efficient Mark Thomas. to appear. Rolls of newsprint sat soaked recent tornadoes in Lone Grove and But the best part is meeting and visiting with fellow newspaper publishers across our in a muddy alley. Every plaque and Cordell, and flooding in Watonga and great state. There is nothing quite as inspiring as seeing first-hand their love of their com- personal item was charred. Century-old Blackwell. I thought of ice storms in munities. newspapers ruined. nearly every town, including Oologah, Mark and I headed out early on Aug. 20 for a round of visits in Western Oklahoma. Crime scene tape was around the bar Stroud, Perkins and Norman. Our first stop was in Snyder, at the Kiowa County Democrat, where we were greeted by next door. The fire didn’t start in the My list is not complete and is too long Carol and Jessee Middick. The Middicks are only a year into their community newspaper newspaper, but fire is no respecter of to mention. So many papers have suf- adventure, and are full of vim and vigor. Their office is downtown, with the newspaper property lines or public good. fered through the loss of key employees operation sandwiched between booths of antique and arts and crafts vendors. The sick feeling is something I’ve felt through death or illness. And none of As retired educators, they are focusing on the local schools, as most of us do. But they before and hope to avoid from now to us are truly prepared for an outbreak of are also heavily into efforts to restore and revitalize their small town, another thing many eternity. I didn’t own any of the equip- swine flu where your town is quarantined of us do. ment, morgue, or have any personal and businesses can’t operate, local events From Snyder we headed toward Altus, where one of Attorney General Drew Edmond- items in the building and I felt a loss. are cancelled and citizens are told to stay son’s Open Meetings/Records seminars was set for that afternoon. The plan was to eat This was not only a loss of prop- home. lunch in between, but our visit at Snyder ran a bit long and then we ran into an unusual erty, but a loss of history and a sense I hope you will tear out and use the traffic problem outside Altus. Suddenly the road in front of us was filled with longhorn of despair in a town shocked into the disaster checklist in this issue (page 11). cattle and some cowboys! realization of how disastrous the loss of After hearing about Anadarko, a friend We had to backtrack to avoid becoming part of the Great Plains Stampede, and quickly a newspaper – no matter how temporary asked if OPA tells newspapers what to grabbed a sandwich before heading to Southwest Tech Center where Mark kicked off the – would be. And as it usually happens in do in a disaster or if we require papers to seminar and I helped register and hand out Open Meeting books. Then we were off for a newspaper disaster, the total loss of the have a disaster plan. I kindly explained the Altus Times, where we had a great visit with publisher Bill Murphy. newspaper by fire was not the top story in that we don’t tell newspapers what to do Here was a different perspective, since the Times is a daily and part of a group. Bill is the Monday paper. but we do provide a disaster planning dealing with what a lot of us are – staff cuts. Not only had the receptionist and ad man- The Daily News didn’t miss an issue, checklist and hope they use it. ager positions gone by the board, but the group has centralized graphics production. That and is now pulling triple duty. They’re My mind flashed back to my dear old means Bill’s staff has to upload ad materials well in advance so the ads can be built and putting out a daily paper, sifting through dad who, in some crisis occasions, would sent back to him, an adjustment that will take some getting used to. the ashes and making decisions on how look me in the eye and say, “I’m not ask- After that visit, we headed for Quartz Mountain, where we were to meet up with they are going to move forward. There ing you. I’m telling you!” Dayva Spitzer for dinner. Mark had scheduled her new board member orientation as part is a long list of Daily News staff, towns- If you haven’t done any disaster plan- of our agenda. Talk about multi-tasking! people, readers, advertisers, subscribers, ning at your newspaper, I’m not asking The next morning Dayva joined us for a visit to Mangum to meet the Paxtons, who put newspapers and neighbors that are to be – I’m hoping! out the Mangum News-Star. It was a fascinating visit with this four-generation operation. Casey’s dad sells vacuum cleaners in the front of the office space, and his granddaughter writes a delightful column for the paper. We picked up some great ideas from Casey and his family. Then it was off to Elk City for a visit with Derek Manning at the Elk Citian (the clean- Voices of community newspapers est newspaper office I’ve ever seen) and then to Sayre to see Dayva and Brad’s Sayre From everyday life to life changing events, Oklahoma newspapers keep readers informed Record & Beckham County Democrat. We had a great visit over a wonderful lunch, and about what’s happening in their community. Following are samples of what’s appearing in then went back to Elk City to see Larry Wade, who filled us in on the great things going on in his town. Oklahoma newspapers. Last on the agenda was a quick visit with Rod Serfoss at Clinton. We couldn’t stay … I WOULD BE REMISS if I didn’t say something about the passing of Sen. long since I had to get back to Tecumseh for a football scrimmage. By the end of that day, Edward Kennedy. We agreed on little, if anything, but I always found myself intrigued I was pretty worn out! But I was also very energized and gratified. by a man whose political life was pulled from the edge of ruin and transformed into one I will share some ideas that came from those visits another time, since I’m out of of most effective members of the United States Senate. Kennedy’s passing marks the room. But before I sign off, I must make an important correction in last month’s column. end of an era in American politics. Remember when I was talking about the committee meetings and mentioned discussion Josh Driskell, Editorial, Jenks Journal, 9-03-2009 of rate parity? Well, through a comedy of errors, the column ended up saying that OPA/ OPS was going to ignore that issue! The word “not” was supposed to precede the word … I HAVE COME UP with some cash-for-ideas the government may have missed. “ignore.” Movie cash, because after all we should be paid to watch some of the shows Hollywood Somehow, the “not” got lost in the editing process. I’m sure you can all identify with sends out. Next, is cash for trash? Why should we have to pay the city for the privilege that kind of boo-boo, but I wanted to assure you that we will be looking at the issue and of hauling off our neat stuff? With taxpayer subsidies, they should be able to show a definitely not ignoring it. handsome profit sorting it out. Cash for shoes works for me, because our government is So, until next time, proofread carefully! responsible for the unemployed wearing their shoes out looking for work. Jim Scribner, Column, Alva Review-Courier, 9-06-2009 3 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 Tulsa World files suit to see federal inmate photos The Tulsa World sued the U.S. Mar- ers, has an agreement with the Marshals become fugitives and posts on its Web site shals Service on Sept. 4, seeking release of Service, a division of the Justice Depart- the photos of captured fugitives. jailhouse photos of federal inmates. ment, not to release the photos. The newspaper requested mug shots The U.S. Marshals Service cites pri- “The privacy interest in a mug shot of a of six inmates indicted in March 2008 on ISSN 1526-811X vacy rights as the reason for withholding detainee charged in a federal court with a Aug. 26, 2008 and received written denial Official Publication of the the photos. However, jail mug shots are crime is necessarily limited,” the World’s from the Marshals Service on Sept. 15. public documents under the Oklahoma lawsuit states. Newspaper challenges in the 6th U.S. OKLAHOMA PRESS Open Records Act, the newspaper noted. “A great deal of information has already Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes “The Tulsa World disagrees this is an been released, such as the name of the per- Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee, ASSOCIATION invasion of privacy for people who have son, the home city and/or street address, resulted in a 2005 directive to release fed- 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. been arrested,” Executive Editor Joe Wor- the alleged elements of the crime, the plea, eral inmates photos in that circuit’s states. Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 ley said. “The public deserves to know the request for release, the bond, other The Tulsa World cited the directive, (405) 499-0020 • Fax (405) 499-0048 how our law enforcement agencies are crimes he has committed, risk of flight and but federal officials responded in writing: Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 doing. The public needs to know who law other information used in the criminal or “Please be advised that the Department of Web: www.OkPress.com enforcement groups are arresting and how detention proceedings.” Justice is not bound by this decision out- E-mail: [email protected] they are being detained.” The World also noted that the Marshals side of the Sixth Circuit.” PUBLISHER The Tulsa Jail, which holds the prison- Service releases photos of inmates who Mark Thomas [email protected] EDITOR Chandler Chamber Jennifer Gilliland New student newspaper at RSU [email protected] to honor Don Ferrell Rogers State University in Claremore each RSU campus in Claremore, Bartles- recently began publishing a new monthly ville and Pryor on the fourth Monday of OPA OFFICERS on October 3 student newspaper titled Hillpost. each month. Gloria Trotter, President “This is the first time RSU has had an In addition, the Progress will insert The Countywide & Sun Don Ferrell, former publisher of the independent student newspaper on its cam- Hillpost into its regular editions. Lincoln County News in Chandler, will Rod Serfoss, Vice President pus in recent history,” said RSU President “The Progress is gratified to be able to Clinton Daily News be one of two Lincoln County legends Dr. Larry Rice. “A student newspaper is assist the university with this important roasted by the Chandler Chamber of an important and integral part of campus project,” said Bailey Dabney, publisher of Joe Worley, Treasurer Commerce on Oct. 3. life and we are pleased to have the new the Claremore Daily Progress. Tulsa World Ferrell is also a former state senator. Hillpost on campus.” “Nurturing a student newspaper project Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President “I moved to Chandler at the age A student newspaper has not existed at such as this is part of the educational mis- Oklahoma City of 33 when my wife Sally and I pur- RSU since it was accredited as a four-year sion and community outreach of our local chased the Lincoln County News,” university in 2000. daily newspaper.” OPA DIRECTORS The new publication will be produced Sales staff at the Claremore Daily Prog- Ferrell said. “I was working at the Steve Booher, Past President by the RSU Student Newspaper Organi- ress will coordinate advertising in the Daily Oklahoman in Oklahoma City Cherokee Messenger & Republican as a journalist when we bought the zation (SNO), which formed last spring. Hillpost. Rusty Ferguson, paper.” Dr. Mary Mackie, associate professor of The student newspaper will feature The Cleveland American Ferrell ran for Senator in 1966, English, will serve as faculty adviser for news occurring on the RSU campus and beating three candidates on the Repub- the newspaper. surrounding communities, RSU sports and Jeff Shultz, Garvin County News-Star lican ticket. He served eight years in Hillpost will be printed by the Clare- features about student and faculty accom- Jeff Mayo, Sequoyah County Times more Daily Progress and distributed on plishments. District 18. Jeff Funk, Enid News & Eagle In 1987, he was appointed Adjutant Robby Trammell, The Oklahoman General Commander of the Oklahoma Dayva Spitzer, Sayre Record & National Guard and was later promoted Beckham County Democrat to Major General. “I began my service in the Air Force SUBSCRIBE TO at the age of 17,” Ferrell said. “I retired THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER from the Air Force in 1981 at the age $12 PER YEAR of 62.” THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406-920) “We sold the newspaper in 1988 is published monthly for $12 per year by the and have lived in Chandler ever since.” Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 N. Lincoln Representative Charlie Morgan also Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. will be roasted at the event. Tickets are $30 per person and POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE includes a buffet meal. For more infor- OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. mation call (405) 258-0673. 4 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 OPA CALENDAR OF EVENTS Complete Listing of Events at www.OkPress.com Media buyers still see value of newspapers Newspapers are still attractive to adver- paper if it fits the client needs, but they’re interested in OPS’s new Internet ad place- SEPT. 25-26, NORMAN tising agencies, but there are ways to make finding it more difficult to justify to clients ment service. APME NEWSTRAIN - them more attractive. because of what is being written in the “They include Internet in their over- THE BUSY EDITOR’S GUIDE In June 2009, Oklahoma Press Service national press about declining circula- all media campaigns for clients and are TO JOURNALISM Advertising Director Sarah Barrow, Chief tions,” said Barrow. pleased that we’re now offering this,” said Become a more effective editor with two days Sales Officer Steve Barrymore and Media Readership research of the rural news- Barrow. of training in editing and management skills for online news. This national program is a two- Manager Cindy Shea met with nine adver- papers would help them justify a print buy Based on information from the meet- track workshop offering (a) hands-on classes tising agencies to learn how they perceive to their clients, said Shea. ings, OPS has made several recommenda- to boost editors’ skills at using social media newspapers in general and what obstacles “Agencies are looking for research on tions including: and shooting and editing web video; and (b) stand in the way of placing newspaper everything from market coverage to media • Making a research study and other the best new ideas for setting and maintaining advertising. consumption habits and we need to have secondary research of member newspapers standards, planning multimedia content, Media buyers are positive about rural that available for them,” Shea said. a high priority. ethical decision-making and more. On Friday, Bob Dotson of NBC’s Today Show will present newspapers, according to the reports. All the agencies that the staff met with • Encouraging members to set up Web “Survival Kit for Professional Storytellers: How The findings show that agencies believe view OPS as a huge timesaving benefit. sites with standard IAB sizes offering To Compete with Cell Phones and Web Sites.” the age of readers skews older with major “They look to OPS for a quick turn- CPM rates. Registration is only $50 to attend one or both metros while rural papers have a young- around and appreciate our one order/one • Developing a quarterly newsletter to days at OU’s Gaylord College of Journalism & er reader demographic due to their high bill system,” said Barrymore. keep agencies current with paper changes, Mass Communication in Norman. Visit school sports interest. According to the reports, agencies are upcoming special sections and industry www.okpress.com/newstrain for more info. “All agencies are open to using news- developments. SEPT. 29, PONCA CITY OCT. 1, DUNCAN OPEN MEETING/ OPEN RECORDS SEMINARS COLLECTION OF USEFUL Attorney General Drew Edmondson, OPA, WEB SITE RESOURCES AG calls for release of birth dates ONF and FOI Oklahoma invite the public to attend these regional seminars about Attorney General Drew Edmondson on leave and therefore the law does not Oklahoma’s Open Meeting and Records Acts. told a crowd at an Aug. 31 Open Meet- apply. Seminars are held from 1 to 4 p.m. and are OF THE MONTH ing/Open Records seminar that Oklahoma At the Sunshine Law seminar in Tecum- free to attend. Venue locations and other City should release information about two seh, Edmondson used Oklahoma City’s information are available at iab.net employees it placed on administrative response as an example of “what not to www.okpress.com/seminars. Interactive Advertising Bureau leave. do.” FEB. 4-6, 2010 City officials have refused to do so, “When there is one of these gray areas, OPA MID-WINTER CONVENTION The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is an saying that they are waiting for Edmonson we err on the side of public information,” Mark your calendars and plan to attend the industry-driven association of technology and media to make his opinion official. Edmondson said. “The argument that is annual convention at the Sheraton & Reed companies dedicated to the improvement and In August, the director of the Oklahoma typically made is that it’s a conduit to Center in Midwest City. advancement of online advertising and marketing. City’s Weed and Seed program and another identity theft, and while we are certainly For more information on upcoming events, visit the Web IAB helps create industry standards, provide education site as noted in the calendar, go to the OPA Web site at employee were placed on paid administra- sensitive to that argument, it seems that and keep an eye on government regulation and tive leave pending an investigation into the this is more applicable to Social Security www.OkPress.com or contact Member Services legislation. Their Website is an invaluable resource for Director Lisa Potts at (405) 499-0026, mishandling of federal grants associated numbers than dates of birth.” 1-888-815-2672 or [email protected]. information, trends, technology and tips. with the program. Weed and Seed provides The fact that birth dates are part of other additional police protection and social pro- open public records makes the idea that grams in high-crime areas. their release is a violation of privacy a bit The Oklahoman requested the birth dubious, said Edmondson. date of the director but the city refused, Edmondson also said that the city saying that the name should not have been should release the name of the second released in the first place. The city also employee placed on administrative leave declined to identify the other employee. during the investigation. City officials said the Open Records City spokeswoman Kristy Yager said Act prevents them from releasing birth Oklahoma City is still waiting to hear from Newspaper Brokers dates because it is “personal information Edmondson. within driving records” and that they are “We’re trying to contact the attorney Appraisers allowed to keep the information confiden- general’s office, to see what his opinion tial if it would “constitute a clearly unwar- is,” said Yager. “We want to do the right ranted invasion of personal privacy.” thing.” Consultants Open records laws require that the city Edmondson said that regardless of

THOMAS C. BOLITHO EDWARD M. ANDERSON release the names of employees who are whether a city believes that the law is P.O. BOX 849 We have many years experience in P.O. Box 2001 suspended or disciplined but city offi- on their side, it should consider whether ADA, OK 74821 the community newspaper market BRANSON, MO 65616 cials claim that the employees are merely the disclosure is in the best interest of the (580) 421-9600 (417) 336-3457 [email protected] www.nationalmediasales.com [email protected] public. 5 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 Board approves digital image subscriptions at June 6 meeting The Oklahoma Press Association Board OPS BOARD MEETING in an additional $12,000 budgeted for of Directors met July 23, 2009, in Okla- OPA BOARD ATTENDANCE The OPS meeting was called to order employee costs. The budget also includes homa City. OFFICERS: President Gloria Trotter, County- at 12:54 p.m. Reading of the June 6, 2009, $35,000 for a statewide readership survey After calling the meeting to order, Pres- wide & Sun; Vice President Rod Serfoss, minutes was suspended and approved as to assist OPS clients in making their news- ident Trotter asked the board to review Clinton Daily News presented. The board also acknowledged paper advertising buys, elimination of the the minutes of the June 6, 2009, meeting. receipt of the OPS financial statements for creative services department’s budget and Reading of the minutes was suspended DIRECTORS: Past President Steve Booher, the period ending June 30, 2009. a higher advertising revenue goal. and the board approved the minutes as Cherokee Messenger & Republican; Rusty Fer- Sarah Barrow told the board that she, presented. guson, Cleveland American; Jeff Shultz, Garvin SUBSCRIPTION TO DIGITAL IMAGES Steve Barrymore and Cindy Shea met with The board reviewed and acknowledged County News Star; Jeff Funk, Enid News & For many years, OPS purchased paper nine advertising agencies to discuss their receipt of OPA and LSP financial state- Eagle, and Robby Trammell, The Oklahoman copies of each newspaper issue from OPA opinions of OPS and newspapers, as well ments and investment reports for the peri- to be used for tearsheets, clippings and as any obstacles they face when placing OPA STAFF: Executive Vice President Mark other OPS purposes. OPS can now sub- od ending June 30, 2009. Thomas; Member Services Director Lisa Potts; newspaper advertising. Barrow summa- The board also reviewed new OPA/S scribe to digital images for a specific pur- rized some of their findings, including that OPA Attorney Michael Minnis and LSP contracts for the legal services pose and limited use. the agencies: (1) value rural newspapers of Michael Minnis of Doerner, Saunders, ABSENT: Treasurer Joe Worley, Tulsa World; The board unanimously approved a since they have a strong readership base Daniel and Anderson, which was at the Jeff Mayo, Sequoyah County Times, and motion for OPS departments to buy and of varied ages, (2) need readership demo- same rate as the previous year’s contracts. Dayva Spitzer, Sayre Record & Beckham subscribe to the paper copy and digital graphic information to better plan and The board unanimously approved the new County Democrat images under the following schedule: justify their newspaper buys, (3) want to contracts for Minnis to continue as legal OPS Clipping Bureau should buy one paper copy place ads on newspaper Web sites, and (4) counsel for OPA and LSP in FY 2009-10. from OPA for the cost of an annual subscription value OPS’ services as a huge time-saving of the HVAC controls and depreciation of to that newspaper. Collectively, newspaper sub- Board members reviewed bids from that replacement over a 10-year period. benefit. four companies on the OPA building heat scriptions total around $11,000 (out-of-county However, Barrow said the agencies The budget also reflects an invitation rates). and air project. A motion to accept John- to political candidates for state office to often call newspapers directly to secure son Control’s bid and OGE Energy Corp.’s OPS Clipping Bureau should subscribe to the digital lower rates since newspapers will often attend the OPA Summer Conference and images from OPA for the previous two years donation to replace and update the heat board meetings instead of holding an Elec- provide discounts not available through and air controls system in the OPA build- worth of newspapers at the rate of $22,000 for OPS. tion Summit event at the State Capitol. images less than one year old and $11,000 for ing passed unanimously. Thomas said revenue from LSP member- Barrow said OPS would strive to images that are one to two years old. become their clients’ primary industry AGREEMENT ADOPTED ship dues are expected to increase due to OPS Advertising Department should subscribe to members’ increased ad rates, but expenses news source by producing a quarterly In response to an OPA bylaw amend- the digital images from OPA for the past one newsletter with information about pub- ment made in February that allows mem- are lower because the plan is not currently year at the rate of $22,000 for images less than defending any cases. After further review, lication changes, upcoming special sec- ber newspapers to submit digital images one year old. tions, industry developments and research plus one paper copy of every issue to the board unanimously adopted the pro- The fees for digital images are exclu- posed 2009-10 OPA and LSP budgets. information. Trotter thanked the staff for OPA as part of their membership dues, the sive and will allow OPS to be the only the agency report and asked that a story be board unanimously approved adoption of COMMITTEE REPORTS subscriber allowed to distribute those digi- printed in the Oklahoma Publisher. the following agreement: Board members reviewed a list of com- tal images outside of its internal company After OPA uses the one paper copy for its pur- mittee members for 2009-10 as well as use, primarily for digital tearsheets and for WEB ADVERTISING poses: the committee meeting schedule, Sum- clippings. Shea reported that OPS signed a con- OPA should sell the one copy to OPS for the cost tract with DotConnect, an affiliate of mer Conference expenses and schedule of PROPOSED BUDGET of an annual subscription to that newspaper. ONF workshops. Thomas said free copies TownNews.com, to handle placement of Thomas summarized the proposed OPS Collectively, newspaper subscriptions total of the 16th edition of the Open Meeting Web advertising. At the time of the report budget for 2009-10, which included a around $11,000 (out-of-county rates). and Records book and a brochure of recent 21 member newspapers had signed up to health insurance rate increase resulting OPA should enter a subscription agreement for updates will be provided to attendees at Continued on Page 6 the digital images it receives as dues to Okla- the Attorney General’s regional seminars. homa Press Service, Inc. under the following Board members also reviewed the second TWO NEW WAYS TO schedule. Legal Services Plan (LSP) quarterly report MAKE MONEY WITH METRO ONLINE Images for most recent calendar year: for 2009. $22,000 per year (exclusive use) In other business, the board reviewed CALL LOUANN SORNSON AT 800.223.1600 FOR FURTHER INFO Images that are 1-2 years old: a list of OPA members that upload PDFs $11,000 per year (exclusive use) of each issue and a list of papers that WWW.METROCREATIVECONNECTION.COM Images that are 2 years old or older: are digitally photographed by OPA. After $5,500 per year (exclusive use) discussing the importance of uploading, TIMELY ONLINE AD board members agreed that OPA should FEATURES DESIGN TOOL PROPOSED BUDGETS MICROSITES once again educate members so they know METRO Thomas summarized the proposed OPA READY-TO- INTERACTIVE budget for 2009-10, which includes elimi- how and why to upload. After additional DEPLOY-AND- education efforts are made, the Board will AD DESIGNER nation of the Creative Services depart- SELL THEMED (MiAD) ment’s budget, payment of a portion of the review the list of papers not uploading SITES OPS readership survey and replacement pages. 6 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 OPA/S Board of Directors Continued from Page 5 candidates to prove that newspaper adver- Hall of Fame seeks nominations receive OPS Web ads, including all CNHI tising has a high impact and that frequency Nominations are being sought for the ists and the UCO Mass Communication papers. OPS staff then called papers with is beneficial. A motion to authorize the 40th annual induction ceremony for the Department. Each year all the applica- Websites to discuss how to sign up for creation of a 2x2 package for political Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame with tions are reviewed, including those made the program. Trotter said many members candidates passed unanimously. a Dec. 11 deadline. in earlier years. might not understand questions on the Dr. Terry M. Clark, director of the Former UCO Journalism chairman sign-up form. She asked that a glossary of MANAGEMENT REVIEW Trotter said communicating OPS plans Hall at the sponsoring Mass Commu- Dr. Ray Tassin started the Hall in 1971. terms and price guidelines be provided to nication Department at the University Journalists are chosen for recognition members with Websites. to the membership is a challenge. Sug- gestions for keeping members informed of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, said each year from among those who have POLITICAL ADVERTISING included having the OPS advertising direc- several nominations have already been made outstanding contributions to the Barrymore reported that staff is now tor regularly write the newspaper advertis- received, but more are welcomed. Induc- journalism field for at least 10 years. meeting with political representatives to ing directors informing them of different tion of nine new members will be Friday, They must either be Oklahoma natives ask many of the same questions asked programs, ideas and challenges facing our April 9, 2010. or have worked in Oklahoma journalism of the ad agencies. He said the statewide advertising sales efforts. A special program is planned this year for 10 years. readership survey will also include some Board members also suggested regional to mark the first 40 years of the Hall, Application forms are available from political and voter questions. meetings to discuss developing rate struc- Clark said, including the relocation of the Mass Communication Department Thomas said that political candidates tures for all types of products. the display to the Nigh University Center, in Edmond, by contacting Sherry Sump previously have not been allowed to buy Trotter also said the board would like and a keynote speaker. at (405) 974-5121, or on-line at www. ads in the 2x2 program. He suggested that Thomas to develop a plan where he can UCO President Roger Webb said libarts.ucok.edu/masscomm/nomination. during the non-election year OPS provide communicate confidential information to the university is investing significant htm. for a limited time a low-cost incentive to the membership through e-mail. resources in upgrading the Hall to better Last year’s honorees were Sharon K. honor members of the media. Dowell, Lewis Ferguson, Sue Brewster The selection committee is made up of Hinton, Debbie Jackson, Russell M. members of the Oklahoma Press Associa- Perry, Dick Pryor, Ray Soldan, Gloria tion, the Oklahoma Professional chapters Trotter and Wayne Trotter. Don’t have enough of the Society of Professional Journal- Zumba class benefits Newspapers In Education time to do it all? 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Sales Rep LEGAL ADVICE Production Manager is just one of the benefits of being a member of the Oklahoma Press Association’s Legal Services Plan. Remove the worry of needing Ad Director Sign up today! professional advice by enrolling today. For more information contact: Designer adbuilder.com/webinar/increase_sales Online Manager 800.348.6485, ext. 5324 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S Co-op Manager LEGAL SERVICES PLAN 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 7 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 OU’s Gaylord College adds four new faculty members A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, of the newspaper for which he served as ing positions in broadcast, network, cable, ulty adviser for the student chapter at Ball a military public relations practitioner associate metropolitan editor from 1976 satellite and new media. She worked as State. He currently serves on the PRSA skilled in crisis communication, and two to 1991. From 1997 to 2003, he covered a producer with increasing degrees of College of Fellows and the Educational Emmy-winners – one a network foreign the aerospace industry and covered many responsibility for several NBC television Affairs Committee. correspondent and the other a satellite tele- of the events that led to the Tribune stations in Tulsa, Florida and Washington, vision producer – have joined the ranks of being awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2001. D.C. from 1986 to 1998 and has worked MIKE BOETTCHER full-time faculty members at the Gaylord In recent years, Schmeltzer has worked to as an executive in the satellite televi- Veteran and award-winning network College. expand readership through social media sion industry. She has received a nation- news correspondent Mike Boettcher joins “We have an exceptional group of and online newspaper editions. In addi- al Emmy nomination and four regional the faculty as a visiting professor. Boettch- highly talented professionals joining the tion to the Pulitzer, Schmeltzer also was Emmy awards as well as seven Telly er is a Ponca City native and a former Gaylord College faculty this year,” said a finalist for the UCLA Anderson School awards for her work in children’s televi- journalism student at the University of Gaylord College Dean Joe Foote. “Our of Management Gerald Loeb Award for sion and for long-format newcasts. She is Oklahoma. He was honored as one of the students will have an exceptional oppor- business journalism, three awards from the also the recipient of an Edward R. Murrow Gaylord College’s Distinguished Alumni tunity to learn from some of the nation’s Chicago Headliner Club and was awarded Award from the Radio Television News in 2003. Boettcher has been recognized best.” the Distinguished Service award from his Director Association. as one of the world’s most experienced Following is information on the newest alma mater, Northern Illinois University, foreign correspondents, covering wars and staff members: in 2002. ROBERT ‘PRITCH’ PRITCHARD revolutions in every part of the globe. He Robert Pritchard joins Professor David was the first correspondent to make a live JOHN SCHMELTZER KATHLEEN JOHNSON Tarpenning in overseeing the new student- satellite report for CNN in 1980. Boettcher Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Kathleen Johnson joined the Gaylord run advertising and public relations agency has made a career of reporting on terrorism Schmeltzer joined the journalism faculty College’s faculty as the McMahon Centen- at the college, which began in August 2009 around the world for NBC and CNN. In as the Engleman/Livermore Professor in nial Professor. The McMahon professor- in the new wing of Gaylord Hall. Pritchard 2008 he left NBC to start a private venture, Community Journalism. The Engleman/ ship was the first endowed position for the is a 1974 business administration graduate NoIgnoring.com, serving as a full-time Livermore Professorship was established journalism program at OU and was funded of Phillips University in Enid and gradu- embedded reporter in Afghanistan and Iraq. by Charles and Jean Engleman and Ed in 1989 by the McMahon Foundation ated in 1988 with a master’s of art in pub- While embedded he co-taught a course on Livermore, Sr. to support the development of Lawton. The McMahon professorship lic relations from Ball State University in War and Media at OU via satellite uplink of future publishers and leaders in commu- enables the college to attract experienced Indiana. Pritchard has more than 20 years from Afghanistan and Iraq. He is currently nity journalism. Schmeltzer held numer- professionals to train the next generation experience as a public affairs officer in the writing a book about Al Qaeda titled The ous positions during his 35-year career at of broadcast journalists. A 1987 telecom- U.S. Navy and seven years’ experience as Network. Most recently, Boettcher was the Chicago Tribune from political writer munication graduate from Oral Roberts faculty adviser for the Ball State public working for ABC News this summer while during the mid-1970s to assistant busi- University in Tulsa, Johnson brings with relations and advertising agency, Cardi- embedded with an Army unit in Afghani- ness editor in 2008. He was instrumental her more than 20 years of award-winning nal Communications. Pritchard has also stan. Boettcher has received three National in expanding the readership of the Tri- experience in top executive, programming, been very active in the Public Relations Headliner Awards, four national Emmy’s bune by developing a suburban version production, communications and market- Society of America and has served as fac- and a Peabody Award for his work. DEATHS IVY MAE COFFEY, a longtime Oklahoma staff “rover,” covering all parts of Okla- sors of the annual auction of Free to Live in Evansville, Ind., as circulation manager journalist and member of the Oklahoma homa. She spent a year in Washington, Animal Shelter in Edmond. and finally in Broken Arrow as operations Journalism Hall of Fame, died Sept. 1, D.C., in The Oklahoman’s bureau and Survivors in El Reno are Kay Dyer, and business manager. 2009. interviewed Bobby Kennedy a few weeks her best friend, and the Dyers, her second “Bill was in charge of circulation, trans- Coffey was born to Ivy Joseph and Nel- before his assassination. family. She is also survived by nieces portation, building maintenance and man- lie Mae Coffey at Comanche. Coffee was inducted into the Oklahoma Betty Crabb, Waxahachie, Texas; Jenny agement of our commercial lease proper- She attended Oklahoma College for Journalism Hall of Fame and received a Roberts of Lone Grove and Peggy Coffey, ties for the entire Oklahoma Neighbor Women and received a journalism degree Byliners award in communications from San Antonio. Newspapers group, said Mike Brown, pub- from the University of Oklahoma. She the Association of Women in Communica- lisher of Neighbor Newspapers. worked for the Duncan Eagle and Hal- tions. “He had worked for Neighbor Newspa- liburton before moving from Duncan to After moving to El Reno, she worked WILLIAM ‘BILL’ ROBERT ROBERTS JR., pers since 1995. He will be missed.” Ponca City. She worked at Continental Oil for the El Reno Tribune and continued 62, operations director for Neighbor Roberts was married to Susan Brophy. Co. in public relations and was city editor writing mystery book reviews for The Newspapers, died Sept. 6, 2009, at his They later divorced. He was later married of the Ponca City News. Sunday Oklahoman. home in Broken Arrow. He was 62. to Kathryn Swindell. She joined the Oklahoma City Times She was a member of Wesley United Roberts was born on July 27, 1947, at Roberts is survived by his wife, Kath- and The Daily Oklahoman working as Methodist Church and the El Reno Study Miami, Okla. He graduated from Chanute ryn, of the home; son Brian of Phoenix, a reporter and editor. She held positions Club. She served on the board of Mobile High School in 1965 and then graduated Ariz.; daughter Jannette and son Westin as Sunday magazine editor, book editor, Meals. from Neosho County Community Col- of the home; his father, Bill Roberts and food editor, women’s editor and state staff Coffee was an animal lover, especially lege. his wife, Virginia, of Chanute; and a sister, reporter. Her favorite assignment was state dogs and horses. She was one of the spon- He worked for various newspaper syn- Twila Busse of Chanute. dications for more than 40 years beginning 8 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 THE OGE PHOTO CONTEST

The wild horse race at the Cavalcade was won by the Skiatook team of Matt Meiser, Cole Crain and Grant Well. These guys from Oologah weren’t so lucky: Their horse fought like the devil and won, leaving them defeated on the ground as the horse broke free. Photo by LOUISE RED CORN, The Bigheart Times (Barnsdall), Published July 23, 2009

JULY 2009 DAILY WINNER: PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND The Oklahoman

JULY 2009 WEEKLY WINNER: LOUISE RED CORN The Bigheart Times (Barnsdall)

Edmond Police Department cadets are given 40 seconds to get to their first class after morning VIEW ALL WINNING PHOTOS AT ceremonies for the first Edmond police academy. WWW.OKPRESS.COM Photo by PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, The Oklahoman, Published July 26, 2009 9 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 New grant guidelines Students invited to participate in annual essay contest focus on investigative Oklahoma high school students and role of the media as a watchdog of gov- the event’s Professional Day at The Okla- college undergraduates can win cash priz- ernment activity?” homan in Oklahoma City. es by entering the 2009 First Amendment Prizes will be awarded to the first-, This marks the eleventh year FOI Okla- reporting projects Congress Essay Contest, sponsored by second-, and third-place winners in both homa Inc. has hosted a First Amendment FOI Oklahoma Inc. Entrants have until high school and college categories. Congress to discuss these fundamental Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Oct. 2 to submit their essays. High School winners will be recog- freedoms. For questions concerning the Foundation announced new grant guide- For this year’s essay, young writers nized on Oct. 28 during the First Amend- essay contest, contact Linda Lynn at (405) lines reflecting priority funding for inves- are asked to consider the question: “What ment Congress Education Day at Tom 475-3676. For information about the 2009 tigative reporting projects. is the impact of Internet news, blogs and Steed Center in Midwest City. College First Amendment Congress, contact Kay “The watchdog role of legacy media social networking sites on the traditional winners will be honored Oct. 29 during Bickham at (405) 341-3169. is in jeopardy due to the economic crisis facing the journalism industry,” said Bob Ross, President and CEO. “We’re working to secure its future by funding investiga- tive reporting models of innovation, sus- tainability and collaboration.” J^[m_di$ The Foundation will support investiga- J^[beii[i$ tive reporting programs nationwide. This includes programs from those organiza- J^[ijWji$ tions that have been long-time partners of investigative reporting as well as from startup organizations and projects. J^[YheiimehZ$ The Foundation seeks to increase inves- J^[Yec_Yi$ tigative reporting and watchdog journal- ism on state and local issues and is also J^[Yekfedi$ encouraging the development of digital innovations that make data about state and J^[f[efb[$ local issues more available to the public. Founded by Edith Kinney Gaylord, J^[feb_j_Yi$ Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foun- dation’s mission is to invest in the future J^[feb_Y[Xbejj[h$ of journalism by building the ethics, skills and opportunities needed to advance prin- J^[jWn^_a[i$ cipled, probing news and information. The Foundation makes grants to journalism J^[iYWdZWbi$ schools and other non-profit organizations J^[jhkj^$ focused on the news media. BRIEFS Ekhjemdi$ Ekhb_l[i$ KIP CASPER has joined the advertising staff at The American in Afton. Previously Ekhd[mi$ general manager and sales rep for another area newspaper, Casper describes himself as a “people person” who’s always in a good mood. F[efb[ JENNY REDDEN is the new editor :[f[dZEd at The Glenpool Post. A 2008 Oklahoma State University graduate, Redden wrote D[mifWf[hi$ for the Sand Springs Leader for four months. Previously, she worked for the Tulsa World and as editor-in-chief at OSU’s Daily O’Collegian. THE MANGUM STAR-NEWS recently updated its Website. The new site includes brief descriptions of the stories found in the printed version of the paper, photo slide shows and short video clips. 10 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 Counting impressions equals counting dollars most accurate way of gauging traffic for a powerful tool for creating revenue and The second number is average pages That InterWeb Thing an ad and an accepted industry standard increasing readership on the Web. viewed per visitor. by KEITH BURGIN, OPA STAFF for sales. It would be logical to assume that “page Multiply these two numbers and you’ll The first place you should look for views,” the number of pages displayed in be very close to possible impressions with- When I was young, my mother told me an estimate of impressions is the past. If a month’s time, would be a reasonable out overestimating. This method should to always try to make a good impression. you’re already running some sort of ad estimate of how many impressions an ad get you started. She should have added that I should count rotation software on your Website, it will might get in that period. Oh, while your looking at your Website them as well, because one day I would usually count impressions for you by ad You know what happens when we statistics, take a peek at where your traffic have to sell them. and month. assume, though. Things get a bit messed is coming from and what search terms visi- Two weeks ago, an excellent question If this information is available, you’re up; what did you think I was going to tors use to find you. was posed to the creative department here golden. Use past performance to estimate say? There’s tons of information in those sta- at OPA. future performance and you’ll be pretty Page views often include data from tistics that can help you not only increase “How do I estimate my impression darn close. search engines and intelligent programs your traffic, but sell more ads to your inventory?” Unfortunately, not everyone has this that scan Websites for information. This clients. Impression inventory is the number of data. Either you haven’t been using this kind of traffic will not generate true In a couple of months, check your online ad impressions your Website has type of software or haven’t placed any “impressions” and if you compare page impression count from our ad network available during a given time period. You ads, etc., so you have to find another way views to actual impressions at the end provider, Dot Connect, or your rotation need to know what you have to sell to to estimate how many times an ad might of the month, you’re going to come up software and use that. advertisers. appear. short of your estimate – often by a large If there’s an issue regarding your Web- Every time a display ad loads in a Web Let’s dive into your Website statistics. margin. site, internet technology that effects news- browser, it generates an impression, which The numbers are easy to understand if you My favorite indicator involves a look papers or other items that you would is the indication that some person has just know what to look for. at two numbers in your Website statistics. like to see discussed here, please e-mail seen it. This data should be available through The first number is “unique visitors.” [email protected]. I’ll be happy to In actuality, it simply means that a your site hosting company or Google Ana- Unique visitors is a tally of how many find some answers for you. browser has displayed the ad. There’s no lytics, if you have it set up. If you don’t individuals accessed your Website during Now straighten that tie, make a good way of telling whether your visitor physi- have it set up, I recommend you do it. It’s a period of time. impression and count it. It’s money in your cally “saw” the ad, but impressions are the pocket. Henninger offers 10 design tips to save you time and money

by ED HENNINGER space. Review listings such as a weekly cled” electronic page will slow down of people in your advertising design calendar, an agenda of public meetings pagination again and again. Start fresh department to help the newsroom with Design isn’t about “making pretty.” and the like. Often, trimming these items by building sound templates and using charts and graphs. It isn’t about “jazzing up” your paper. and placing them together can result in them. 10. MAKE DEADLINE. Nothing costs more Design is about creating a product that is a savings of an entire page of newsprint. 7. CREATE pagination libraries. Set up than being late off the press. The over- crisp, contemporary and compelling. See if you can’t tighten the typography your software so that your designers time alone can be a killer…and the It’s also about saving you money by in classifieds. Over the course of a year, can go to libraries and drag out ele- problem often begins on the desk. If being more efficient. Here are ten design saving a page of newsprint here and ments such as column sigs, section the designer has a reputation of always tips to help you save time, effort and there can make a serious difference in flags – even whole parts of pages, being late, move that person’s deadline money with every issue. your bottom line. such as the masthead and index. Don’t up. If it’s a problem reporter, work with 1. FIND your best fonts. You don’t have to 4. CREATE page models. With occa- let your designers try to convince you that person. Never, ever accept anyone buy new fonts to make your paper more sional exceptions, page 1 will tend to that it’s better to just work from the habitually missing deadline. readable. You probably have some hid- fall into a half-dozen similar looks. Take same page from the last issue (see #6, These ten tips probably won’t save you den gems in your system – but perhaps advantage of this by creating models above). gobs of money overnight – but over time no one has taken the time to look. If your editor can refer to before she 8. USE style sheets. Incorporate linked they can create substantial savings. And you’re using Times, there are others that begins designing. and nested styles into everything you do I’m reminded of a quote from the late work much better. Among them: Century 5. MAKE a plan. Don’t wait until every on the page. These can save a half-hour Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois: “A billion Old Style, Cheltenham and Utopia. story is finished to begin work on a or more in pagination time per issue. here and a billion there and pretty soon 2. TRIM font lists. There’s nothing more page. Instead of assembling a page so Have your editor use that time to do a you’re talking big money.” that every story will fit, design the page better job of planning. frustrating for a designer than to have to ED HENNINGER, an independent newspaper first and then tweak the length of the scroll up-and-down, up-and down, up- 9. CROSS-TRAIN. That sports writer can consultant and Director of Henninger Consulting, stories if needed. Include your writers in and-down to click on just the right font be trained to do some news pages, offers comprehensive newspaper design services for a headline. Use font management the planning so they will know how long and vice versa. With increased effort on including redesigns, workshops, design training software to keep these to no more than their story must be. the part of all newsroom staff, you can and design evaluations. Contact him at 803- two dozen lines. 6. CREATE software templates. Prob- publish a quality newspaper with fewer 327-3322 or [email protected]. 3. REDO typography and edit to save lems with styles and the like on a “recy- people. And take advantage of the skills www.henningerconsulting.com 11 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 PREPARE YOURSELF BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES A call no one wants to receive is one telling you that ❒ ❒ I have evaluated what areas of my operation would ❒ ❒ I have a list of other “non-publishing” software, your business has been destroyed by fire, flood, tornado or need to be restored first if a disaster strikes my whole such as accounting and circulation, that would some other sort of disaster. paper, or just a portion of my business. be necessary to complete other functions of the If you’re not prepared, the results can be devastating. newspaper. It’s never easy to start from ground zero but having a ❒ ❒ I have a list of the exact number and type of well documented, up-to-date disaster plan will make your CHECKLIST 2: We’re OK here – How about YOU? machines I need. road to recovery easier. YES NO ❒ ❒ I have a list of alternate phone numbers to use in Fill out this page and see how prepared you would be ❒ ❒ I have made decisions on what to do if the paper case of a disaster. avoids a direct disaster, but the disaster involves I know where to get Internet access and e-mail for if a disaster struck. Make sure you review the information my town, subscribers, advertisers, employees, a ❒ ❒ me and my staff. annually and make adjustments as necessary. family member, independent contractors, or our key The newspaper has a very unique and important suppliers. ❒ ❒ The staff knows where to assemble if the newspaper equipment or offices are unusable. responsibility to the community in times of disaster and ❒ ❒ I have made a list of steps to take (for all areas must plan to operate in a crisis. Developing a checklist of including news, advertising, legal notices, circulation, ❒ ❒ If I print other newspapers, I know where I would items leads to the development of a disaster plan, which accounting, business operations, etc.) if one of these send my customers. will provide the publisher and staff confidence that they “contingent” disasters affects my newspaper. ❒ ❒ If I print other papers, I have a list of other printers are prepared to fulfill their obligation to their community, ❒ ❒ I have made a list of key employees we depend on and know what to tell them so they help my for the basic newspaper function and what the key customers immediately. neighbors, family and friends. In times of crisis you are responsibilities of those employees are in order to get needed more than ever. ❒ ❒ If I am printed elsewhere and my printer has the the newspaper published. disaster, we have discussed where to go and what to The Disaster Plan for Newspapers is also available on ❒ ❒ I have thought about what to do if any employee or a do. the OPA Website at www.okpress.com/disaster-checklist- family member is killed or disabled by a disaster. ❒ ❒ We know what to tell carriers, post office workers, for-newspapers. ❒ ❒ I have set priorities on what additional lines of convenience store distributors and others in case business the newspaper might operate, and how they there are changes in the method of delivery of the PREPLANNING will be affected by the disaster. newspaper. Preplanning is the most important step in avoiding or ❒ ❒ The local police, fire and medical personnel know us, will vouch for us, and won’t panic and shut us out knowing what to do in case of a disaster. Setting a calendar CHECKLIST 3: I’ll get by with a little help from my friends when the TV stations and helicopters arrive on the date each year to update the plan, review the list, make YES NO scene. a new inventory tape, talk to employees, have a disaster ❒ ❒ I have made a list of which newspapers or training exercise, and other related matters is the easiest businesses I will call on to help with critical way to ensure this important item doesn’t slip through the newspaper functions. CHECKLIST 4: My insurance policy doesn’t cover WHAT? cracks in the hectic schedule of a newspaper. ❒ ❒ I have a list of their names, numbers, and critical YES NO functions they are to perform. ❒ ❒ My insurance agent has been out to my paper in the last year to see my operation and review my policy. CHECKLIST 1: Pick a disaster – any disaster ❒ ❒ I have documented my newspaper’s technical configurations. ❒ ❒ My policy is tailored to specific needs of my YES NO ❒ ❒ I have a list of the software that is critical to newspaper; not a general policy. ❒ ❒ I have made a list of all possible disasters that might publishing the paper. ❒ ❒ I know where my insurance policies are located, and affect my paper. (Include tornado, flood, bomb, fire, keep them in a safe place. sabotage, lawsuit, computer system failure, key employee death or disability, other types.) Continued on next page Anadarko Daily News’ office destroyed Continued from Page 1 we need to make. Until then, we’re print- door. That’s still closed off while they site. I would tell every newspaper, ‘Great Bureau of Indian Affairs with a seven-page ing at El Reno.” investigate. day in the morning, do that!’” legal ad,” said McBride. The Daily News They’re also considering rebuilding on “We need to get a bulldozer in and The files were backed up, she said, but normally runs eight pages. the original site, said McBride. shore up. Then we can get in and see if not stored where they should have been. “We got another five or six-page legal there’s anything we There were other factors that compli- on Thursday from the county treasurer. can salvage.” cated publishing efforts that first week. Those things were a godsend.” ‘We didn’t have our files backed up offsite. Subscriber lists Carolyn McBride was suffering from bron- The Daily News’ 1962 printing press and bookkeeping chial pneumonia through the entire ordeal. was a charred ruin, so El Reno Tribune I would tell every newspaper …do that!’ records were on flash Wednesday after the fire, a lightning strike printed the newspaper, as they did after thumb drives that took out The Daily News’ computer net- the tornado. Carolyn McBride, Co-Publisher Anadarko Daily News survived the fire. work. The Apache News, produced on “But we lost our “If you keep working, keep your head Andarko’s press for nearly 30 years, is The building that housed the newspaper ad copy,” said McBride. “You just have a down and don’t think about the fact that being printed at Lindsay News. – built in 1906 – was a complete loss. habit of not backing that stuff up. So we’re you have problems, your focus becomes “We’re looking at a couple of presses,” “We’ve been able to enter our build- starting over with logos and rebuilding publishing the paper,” said McBride. said McBride. “We have some decisions ing as we please,” said McBride. “The our ads. “We never thought about not publish- fire started in the Tornado Alley Bar next “We didn’t have our files backed up off- ing. It never crossed our minds.” 12 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 DISASTER CHECKLIST (CONTINUED) Didn’t we have something over there? ❒ ❒ I have reviewed the list of my equipment and clearly CHECKLIST 8: ❒ ❒ Employees have a copy of the basic action plan and understand what is covered by insurance and what is YES NO their responsibilities at their home. not. ❒ ❒ I have made a detailed, room-by-room inventory list ❒ ❒ The employees know what records to safeguard. ❒ ❒ I have replacement cost insurance, including of everything at the newspaper. ❒ ❒ The employees know to minimize physical damage, incidental costs. ❒ ❒ My inventory also has descriptions and model such as location of fire extinguishers. numbers of all pieces of equipment and software. ❒ ❒ I have business interruption coverage, and know the ❒ ❒ I know which employees are trained for First Aid and length and limits of that coverage. ❒ ❒ In the past year, I have made a videotape of my CPR. entire operation. ❒ ❒ I know which employees will be called away if the CHECKLIST 5: But it’s worth more than that to ME! ❒ ❒ I have set a date each year to videotape everything National Guard is called upon, or if they are volunteer in the operation. fire, ambulance, police personnel. YES NO ❒ ❒ I know if there is any “third party property” at my ❒ ❒ I have made contingency plans for the absence of ❒ ❒ I know the true value of each piece of property and newspaper office. those employees. can explain and justify these values to a claims I have included “third party property” in my inventory adjuster. ❒ ❒ list. I know the true business interruption costs if I could ❒ ❒ I know if “third party property” is included in my DEVELOP AN ACTION AND RECOVERY PLAN not publish as usual. ❒ ❒ insurance coverage. In a disaster, one person should be in charge. That person will assess I have determined some items are minor and not the situation, determine the priorities, gather available resources, ❒ ❒ All employees understand whether their personal worth covering. ❒ ❒ initiate specific orders to staff, monitor follow-through on critical needs property would be covered by insurance. I have determined that some risks are unavoidable and make immediate changes to the plan as needed. ❒ ❒ I have stored my paper’s detailed inventory list and and not covered them with insurance. ❒ ❒ videotape in a safe and secure place. STEP 1 - Priorities in the event of a disaster are: I have decided it is not economically feasible to cover 1. Personnel Safety – Remove people from the disaster site and ❒ ❒ We know the location of all racks and how we would some property/risks. ❒ ❒ further danger. Administer first aid if needed. distribute papers if they were destroyed. 2. SOS Calls – Alert public safety authorities. Let me show you around 3. Property damage mitigation – Turn off power, isolate or remove CHECKLIST 6: CHECKLIST 9: I thought you knew that stuff was important! equipment, records, etc. Secure premises to eliminate danger and YES NO destruction of evidence. YES NO Local fire personnel have toured my paper in the past ❒ ❒ I have a written list of all vital records pertaining to STEP 2 - Follow the organization plan: year to familiarize their personnel with our building, ❒ ❒ my newspaper. hazards, exits, etc. 1. Implement the chain of command. The person in charge (disaster ❒ ❒ I have backed up all my computer information. manager) will deal with emergency and insurance personnel, loss ❒ ❒ Local medical personnel have toured my paper in the consultant, public relations, and internal/external communications. past year to make sure they know how to get in and ❒ ❒ I have a regularly scheduled plan to back up all computer information. 2. Implement the employee responsibility actions and list. out of the building in case of a medical emergency. Authorize and delegate to employees so they will implement ❒ ❒ Local police personnel have toured my paper in the ❒ ❒ I store the back up information and copy of all vital subsequent phases of the plan – relocation, back-up resources, past year to make sure they know about my property records in a safe and secure place. implementation of short term goals (i.e. we’re not going to miss an and can protect my paper in case of a disaster. issue), etc. ❒ ❒ I have made changes to my building, hazards, etc. STEP 3 - Follow guidelines for short term survival since the last visit of my local fire, medical and police CHECKLIST 10: What would we do without you? personnel. YES NO and long-term recovery: ❒ ❒ I have a copy of the layout of my paper, and a listing ❒ ❒ If the publisher does not serve as the disaster SHORT TERM SURVIVAL ACTIONS: of addresses and phone numbers of key personnel. manager, the staff knows who will be in charge. 1. Gather the personnel needed to continue business – write, sell, publish, distribute. ❒ ❒ I have a listing of alternate addresses and phone ❒ ❒ I am emotionally and physically ready, willing and numbers for key personnel. able to be the disaster manager for my newspaper. 2. Have them use appropriate backup facilities or alternate site as set up in preplan. ❒ ❒ I have the paper layout and personnel lists in a ❒ ❒ Our paper is prepared to be the hub of information secure, accessible place in case of a disaster. for townspeople, before, during and after the 3. Maintain records of all transactions, rentals, purchases and other broadcast media have left the area. recovery items for insurance. ❒ ❒ I have made a list of immediate actions to take and 4. Begin updating latest inventory list immediately while property and CHECKLIST 7: If I had to do it over again… which staff people are responsible for what items in equipment are fresh in your mind. YES NO the event of a disaster. 5. Call frequent staff meetings to boost morale, uncover staff needs. ❒ ❒ I have thought about what parts of my business I ❒ ❒ I have the list stored in an easily accessible and Encourage input from staff members. would change if I had to restart the newspaper or any secure place, and staff knows where it is. 6. Recognize and deal with post-disaster stress of all involved other businesses I operate. parties. It is there whether seen or not. ❒ ❒ I have thought about what new offices and/or CHECKLIST 11: Quiet on the set! And … ACTION! LONG TERM RECOVERY: equipment would be required if my paper becomes 1. Re-evaluate your business strategy. You are under no obligation to damaged beyond repair. YES NO replicate loss. Our newspaper staff knows the basics of our action ❒ ❒ I have made a calculation about how much income I ❒ ❒ 2. Determine the true need to replace items in every affected area. plan in case of a disaster. would need to keep the paper alive while waiting on Approach each with an initial evaluation. You may want to change insurance settlements. ❒ ❒ Our basic action plan includes important names and some areas, eliminate others. A change in an affected area could ❒ ❒ I know the state law on how many issues I can miss phone numbers. make an undamaged area no longer compatible or necessary. before I lose my status as a legal newspaper. ❒ ❒ We set a specific date each year to have a disaster 3. Work to solidify master recovery plan as you would to build a new ❒ ❒ I have thought about exactly how long it would take training exercise and in the past year have had this business. to restore my paper to normal operation after each exercise. 4. Do not overlook the positive aspects of recovery and renewal. type of disaster. ❒ ❒ Our staff knows what to do if the disaster happens Inform your staff and community. during working hours as well as when the office is 5. Plan a Grand Opening. closed. ❒ ❒ A copy of basic staff actions are posted in the building as a quick employee guide. 13 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 Mac’s new Snow Leopard worth the price plugged IN not support OS 9 programs – no clas- computer notes sic mode. If you’re running those older Time to backup is from the road programs, stick with 10.4 Tiger. If you by WILMA MELOT already made the move to all OSX soft- before disaster strikes ware, you’re good to go. A careful look at Mac’s new OSX I’m hopeful that photo correction Think about what a loss a major fire Snow Leopard will convince you that this has been improved. Apple changed the at your newspaper office would be like. is an upgrade well worth buying. default gamma from 1.8 to 2.2, which We found out the hard way in Ana- The cost is only $29, which makes this means monitors should show images bet- darko that starting from scratch can be a a minor upgrade but a major version jump ter. Leave the new settings for a week or painful process. to 10.6. two after upgrading to get a feel for the Losing things that might seem minor Snow Leopard requires an Intel pro- new look of the screen. If you don’t like can be a major headache in the recon- cessor, 1GB of ram, 5GB of hard drive struction process. It’s a good idea to your hard drive – only 7GB. That leaves it, change gamma back to 1.8. However, space (7GB for the full install) and a have your important information and room for photos, music files, documents I strongly recommend giving the new DVD drive to run the upgrade disk. data backed up off-site. and printer drivers, which Mac saw fit to setting a try – you’ll quickly get used to The first thing you’ll notice is that Back up your files, documents, ads provide more of. 2.2. Snow Leopard looks very much like and artwork – but don’t stop there. Keep In Preview, text is easier to select from One of the big changes in Snow Leop- Leopard – not much is visually different. copies of passwords, software serial columns. This is great news if you work ard is the improvement to search func- This new software is more of an under- numbers, e-mail settings, setup info for with a lot of PDFs. tions. Spotlight now gives you a menu the-hood update. services such as Associated Press and Now you can scan directly into Pre- that shows the type of files you find After upgrading, your machine will necessary Websites. view and have the ability to soft-proof and allows you to look within the media run faster and smoother. Many of the Keep records of every program you photos prior to processing them in Pho- you’re searching. frustrations expressed with 10.5 have run on your machines. Even if you toshop. For those who use it, better support been addressed. Snow Leopard boots up salvage the hard drive from a fire, you There are a lot of changes in Preview for Microsoft Exchange Servers is built and shuts down faster than previous oper- may want to install everything on a new that you’ll want to take a closer look at. into 10.6. ating systems. machine and this information is vital. The finder is re-written in Cocoa and File sharing between desktops is In fact, it does everything faster – from Don’t forget the small programs you now truly supports a 64-bit processor, if improved with Boot Camp and Windows ejecting drives to performing a search. run such as Fetch, Acrobat and printer you have one. installed on your machine. Mac’s backup software, Time Machine, drivers. You might jot down your set- If you have a machine that acts as a Overall, this is a good upgrade if you is faster the first time it’s used; even the tings for Acrobat Distiller as well as file server, it can now go to sleep and still have a new Intel-based Mac. It improves install is faster, taking half the time of an your print setups. Contacts and book- offer access to files on its drive. not only the function but also the speed of older version. marks also are nice to have. Just like Leopard, Snow Leopard does your computer for very little money. Snow Leopard takes up less space on Accounting and circulation data also need to be backed up off site. Flash jump drives are an excellent tool for archiving data. I recommend keeping two copies Quark offers great deal on upgrade through end of September in different locations. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to or Windows Vista; 1GB of RAM and gram. The active windows down the side Taking an hour or so to protect your update any version of Quark Express to 500MB of hard drive space. of the screen are like most Adobe pro- data can save you hours of heartache if 8.0, the latest version, for only $300. But Many people are afraid to upgrade to grams. These let you have quick access to a crisis occurs. hurry, the offer is only good until the end the latest version of Quark because of many tools instead of fishing the menus. of this month. extensions used with older versions. My Quark 8.0 works well with Photoshop, Even if you have 3.0 or 4.1 or 7.0, advice is to call and make sure that the even letting you turn on and off layers Photoshop Elements those old serial numbers will let you new program supports or has replace- within the Quark document – if the photo jump to 8.0. Of course, you’re going to ments for your old extensions. is saved as PSD. need a newer computer to run the latest By the way, the new Quark has proven My favorite thing about this new ver- worth considering version. The new version will open files to be problematic with older printers so sion is how well it works with Adobe Upgrading to a new computer might from older ones so the conversion should when you call find out if it supports your Acrobat, letting you use the PDF-X stan- be more expensive than you realize if be easy. older lasers and image writers. Since dards when creating one. your software was never upgraded. Specs for this program are: many of us send PDFs to our printers Although it may take a little getting If you find yourself in this situation, Macintosh – OSXv10.4 (Tiger) or 10.5 check and see if they can accept the used to if you’re coming from an older consider Photoshop Elements for most of (Leopard). A G5 or faster Power PC or newer type of Quark documents. version, this deal is too good for Quark your workstations. It can do the majority Mac Intel®, 1GB of RAM and 1 GB of The program looks much like Quark users to pass up. of work on black and white photos. hard disk space. 7 at first glance. But if you’re upgrading However, you still need one full copy Windows – XP Service Pack 2 or 3 from 4, 5 or 6 it will look like a new pro- of Photoshop for CMYK work.

OPA COMPUTER CONSULTANT WILMA MELOT’S COLUMN BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE OKLAHOMA ADVERTISING NETWORK (OAN). FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE OAN PROGRAM, CONTACT OKLAHOMA PRESS SERVICE AT (405) 499-0020. 14 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 Writer teaches journalism students how to write “Look at ‘Tom Saw- cat and “two smelly dogs” live in Clark’s Critique yer.’ The lead is one Oklahoma City. word: ‘Tom.’ Next para- The lead on his bio reads: BY TERRY CLARK, Journalism Professor, University of Central Oklahoma graph: ‘No answer.’ “M. Scott Carter has spent a life- [email protected] “You have to learn time breaking the rules. to write a lead. Avoid “And enjoying it.” “Watch people. Listen. Write short English teachers. My leads. Find the human side.” goal is to get people to CLARK’S CRITIQUE: Lot of How do you teach writing? It’s about plunk down 50 cents examples in our state press of the as hard as writing itself, because what and read. kind of writing Carter is talking worked with one group of students may “People will read about, including some ideas you not work the next semester. your stuff if, (a) you can steal. Here are a few: But I know this… students have to be slap them up against the Julie Harding, city editor of exposed to good writing and good writers head to get their atten- the Weatherford News, under “To if they’re going to improve. tion, and (b), it’s easy Tweet or not to Tweet” writes: That’s why I asked M. Scott Carter to to read. “If you are in business and aren’t speak to my feature writing class recent- “I can’t write the tweeting, blogging or posting notic- ly. Carter, one of the top wordsmiths in rest of the story without es on your Facebook fan page for Oklahoma journalism, recently joined the writing the lead first. your clients and customers, experts Journal Record in Oklahoma City, coming The lead is the signpost warn you might be left behind by from the Norman Transcript and Moore that says ‘go here.’” your technology-forward, Internet American. He illustrated his savvy competitors.” What has captured my interest in his points with examples Mustang News gets fans ready Marie Price of the Oklaho- writing is his ability to find the human side from his writing and for the bedlam football game ma City Journal Record, under of almost any issue, and to tell a story that stories about how he with big play on the front page. Enid News & Eagle tells the story “Climbing our way out of the red” grabs you and makes you read more. watches people in malls with big photos and excellent packaging. writes: So what follows are some excerpts and on the street. He “OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklaho- ma budget leaders find themselves of the advice he gave my students. They said feature techniques clip and put on their refrigerator doors. like emergency management officials try- lapped it up, mesmerized by his anecdotes should be used in news writing. That’s better than awards. ing to assess damage while the tornado and humor. He was there to talk about “Find the human side to the city council “Every issue has a human component,” is still raging, asking not ‘What the heck interviewing, but their questions and his story. How does it affect me or my readers, he concluded. WAS that?’ but ‘What’s happening?’ and, experiences broadened the lessons of the and write about that. If it’s a boring meet- Carter got his start in journalism at more importantly, ‘What do we do now?’” day. ing, write about people. They’re your best age 13, sweeping floors at The Yale News Maunda Rust of the Lawton Constitu- Here are some Carter quotes I think all subject. for Homer Ray, who he describes as “my tion writes of people who live with chronic journalists need to be reminded of: “Approach your story with how it hero.” He made 50 cents an hour, enough pain: “Journalism may be a business, but affects the people. to buy a cherry limeade, and had his first “As 22-year-old Jim Horinek approach- journalism is about people. You are the “Print is not dead. Print’s problems are story published when he was 14. He cred- es the large metal doors at the end of a historians, the storytellers. itself, cutting back on staff and not writing its his father’s storytelling around a camp hallway at Cameron Village, his irritability “I like people. I like watching people. stories to be read. It’ll be around as long as fire with getting him started. is perceptible through gritted teeth because I like weirdos, not the chamber of com- you want it to. He’s bounced around, attending North- he knows the elevator is already malfunc- merce. I grew up with the underdog. I “Yes, the big papers are in trouble ern Oklahoma and OSU where he was edi- tioning. may be losing my hair, but I’m charming because of debt and technology, but not tor of both student newspapers. He worked “‘This always happens’” …. as hell. mid-sized and small papers. at the Blackwell Journal-Tribune and the Cathy Spaulding of the Muskogee “You have to be interested in people, “Write about things that affect people.” Stillwater NewsPress. Phoenix profiles a local Rosie the Riveter and you can’t interview them from a He spoke fondly of the late Lee Bell at He’s also spent time in public relations of WWII: phone. Unplug the technology. There is the Stillwater NewsPress. for the Oklahoma State Senate, for speak- “Flora Tye couldn’t begin to count all no replacement for a good interview, two “If you want to be great, let someone ers of the Oklahoma House and the Met- the rivets she riveted during her three years people sitting face to face. rip your stuff to shreds. ropolitan Library system before returning with Douglas Aircraft during World War “Interest yourself in the subject. Write “Lee Bell was crotchety, but one hell to journalism. He’s currently working on II. She just knew she was fast. what you want to know.” of an editor. I turned something in, and he a master’s degree in professional writing “‘I could shoot them so fast, my partner Carter uses a recorder for “99.7%” of attacked it with his red pencil. Finally, he at OU. would holler and say, ‘slow down,’ she his work. just wadded it up, threw it in the wastebas- He’s won a lot of awards, and his recalled.” About 1,500 of these WWII vets “People are used to little silver things ket and growled, ‘Go do that again.’” essays and stories have appeared in major die every day folks. What’s your excuse all over the place. I think a notebook puts Carter told the students they had to newspapers. He’s a member of SPJ and on for not telling their stories? them at unease. That way I get all the read to become good writers, and to learn the board of the Oklahoma City Literacy Donny Cofer, managing editor of The quotes right.” to listen. Council. Seminole Producer, under “My Dad the Carter said he learned to write short “You never know all the people you He, his wife Karen, four children, one leads from Mark Twain. touch with good stories – the stories they oilman” writes: Continued on Page 15 15 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 Newspapers must file Statement of Ownership by Oct. 1 OPA STAFF Publish the form in its entirety in your ber of the sub-committee that oversees DIRECTORY Postal Notes newspaper and send a copy of the news- USPS appropriations, still remains firm to by BILL NEWELL, OPA POSTAL CONSULTANT paper that it appears in to the post office continue six-day delivery. However, there ADMINISTRATION for proof of publication. Write what page is still the potential that any senator can MARK THOMAS, Executive Vice President All periodicals must submit a com- number the form appears on page one. make an amendment from the floor that [email protected] • (405) 499-0033 pleted Statement of Ownership (PS Form It is requested that you send a copy of would change this. 3526) to their post office of entry by Octo- your statement of ownership to the Okla- ROBERT WALLAR, Accounting Manager ber 1 of this year. homa Press Association and, if you’re a RATE INCREASE Reminder: [email protected] • (405) 499-0027 Look at your print schedule member of the National Newspaper Asso- Though the CPI is expected to be nega- for the period Oct. 1, 2009, to Sept. 30, ciation, one to them as well. tive, the USPS may be allowed to file for a STEVE BARRYMORE, Chief Sales Officer 2010, for any period where you will not be NOTE: OPA offers PS Form 3526 as a rate increase due to special circumstances. [email protected] • (405) 499-0034 publishing an issue so you can include this PDF document you can fill out. The form Postmaster General Jack Potter is on information in your statement. SCOTT WILKERSON, Front Office/Building Mgr. is available at www.okpress.com/postal- record saying that a big increase would [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 For publications that print more fre- form-3526. Now you can type in the infor- drive away mailers. quently than weekly, a facsimile or some- mation, print it out and send it the Post This may mean that they will be look- MEMBER SERVICES thing including the information on the Office. ing at a small increase, from 3 to 4 percent, 3526 must be published within the first 10 with standard mail shoppers being a little LISA POTTS, Member Services Director days of October. FIVE-DAY DELIVERY? less and periodicals a little more. [email protected] • (405) 499-0026 For weeklies, it must be published in an The question as to whether the post The USPS has until February 2010 issue published in the month of October. office will be going to five-day delivery before they have to file for any changes ADVERTISING For those published less frequently than this year is still “iffy,” but it doesn’t look in rates. SARAH BARROW, Ad Director weekly, it must be published in the first like it will happen anytime soon. [email protected] • (405) 499-0021 issue published after October 1. Senator Susan Collins, a ranking mem- CINDY SHEA, Media Manager Clark’s Critique [email protected] • (405) 499-0023 Access denied to record containing birth date KATHY NASH, OCAN/2by2 Coordinator Continued from Page 14 [email protected] • (405) 499-0025 “It was 1939, and oil was big in these By MICHAEL MINNIS, OPA ATTORNEY LANDON COBB, Account Executive here parts. The continuing conflict between privacy concerns and open “A man from Edmond decided to move government heated up this summer when a journalist was [email protected] • (405) 499-0022 his family to Seminole to try and claim his denied access to documents containing the birth date of a public employee. MELISSA TORRES, Advertising Assistant part of the black gold business.” [email protected] • (405) 499-0035 Good verbs equal good leads: Helen After a public employee was placed on administrative leave because of an investigation of certain allegations, a Barrett in the Alva Review-Courier: CREATIVE SERVICES “Two agenda items dealing with de- journalist asked the City of Oklahoma City for access to records annexation from City of Alva boundaries containing the name and birth date of the public employee. JENNIFER GILLILAND, Creative Services Director withered under the deafening silence of The City denied access citing two statutory exceptions to [email protected] • (405) 499-0028 the Open Records Act. The first exception is for “personal information within the a lack of a second during the city council KEITH BURGIN, Editorial Assistant meeting Monday night.” driver records”. 51 O.S. § 24A.5(1)(c); § 24A.8(G)(c)(3). The second exception cited by the city applies where the release of the information would “constitute a [email protected] • (405) 499-0029 HEAD’EM UP AWARDS: First clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” Id. § 24A.7(A)(2). COMPUTER ADVICE place, Tulsa World on a Sara Plummer As Oklahoma State University Associate Professor Joey Senat has noted, the story about small school districts’ extra- driver’s license exemption does not apply to records of a municipality. WILMA MELOT, Computer Consultant curricular activities: “Will the next tune In explaining the second claimed exemption, the City contends that releasing the [email protected] • (405) 499-0031 be taps?” on a story about smaller school public employee’s birth date would lead to “identity theft” and thus such release districts having a tough time keeping vocal would be an “unwarranted invasion” of privacy. POSTAL ADVICE and instrument music. Although identify theft may be a possible valid concern, the evidence supporting BILL NEWELL, Postal Consultant this conclusion as to a public employee has yet to be proffered. Second place, tie, Guymon Daily Her- [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 ald: “Mum’s the Word,” on a Katie Martire Personal identifying information such as a birth date is available from other public documents such as voter lists, i.e., the information is not “private.” photo of a woman making mum corsages OPEN (DIGITAL CLIPPING) for homecoming, and Tecumseh’s County- Public access to this type of information is not for the purpose of publishing wide and Sun, on a Wayne Trotter story the birth date, but to differentiate the person under investigation from others with LOUISE GARVIN, OPEN Manager about water rates going up: “Dig Deeper, the same or similar names. The personal identifying information is necessary if the [email protected] • (405) 499-0032 Shawnee!” public wants to obtain additional information about their public employee. JOSH COLEMAN, Digital Clipping Account Exec. In the case of a public employee, the public need for accurate, complete Third place, tie, North Central Report- [email protected] • (405) 499-0036 er on county fair time: “Pickles, pie and information should prevail over the potential risk of identify theft. a parade,” and UCO Vista on a story by The courts undoubtedly will wrestle with this particular issue in the near future. GENERAL INQUIRIES The city reportedly is seeking an Attorney General’s opinion. Caleb McWilliams, headline by Laura (405) 499-0020 • Fax (405) 499-0048 Hoffert: “Edmond Urologist Aims for Con- Toll-Free in Oklahoma: 1-888-815-2672 gress”. 16 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, September 2009 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JULY 2009 CONTEST WINNERS Column: Editorial: RUSTY BARB FERGUSON WALTER Cleveland American The Hennessey Clipper

JULY 2009 COLUMN WINNER RUSTY FERGUSON, CLEVELAND AMERICAN

taught to have “pretty feet” as she glistened in glitter and sequins at dance recitals, or told to move those feet with Standing Tall swift, strong kicks to maneuver that soccer ball to the net. Twenty-five steps. I’ll remember the matching sneakers all lined-up as she I’ve been thinking a lot about those steps. kept in rhythm with the cheer squad, or the yells of encour- Arm-in-arm with my daughter, that’s how many times agement shared from the stands suggesting she get off the our feet will move forward Saturday evening as we stride ground to rebound the ball or watching in amazement as she from the back of the church sanctuary to the other end of the positioned herself just right to Fosbury Flop her body across center aisle where Libbyʼs Prince Charming will be waiting the bar without dragging those feet! to take her hand from mine. She tells me she’ll be carrying a bouquet of roses and I’m convinced it was a father of the bride who originally hydrangeas, but for a time, my mind may be tracking back Enter and Win a suggested the stroll down the aisle be at a leisurely pace in to the spring day I convinced my toddler to “model” next to order to cling, for as long as possible, to his little girl. every blooming flower in the front yard, or the Christmas $100 Check from ONG! Although it seems like a literal leap through time that she eagerly held a puppy that sprang from his box, or the brings me to this tuxedo moment of reality, as a family gentle and playful hands she compassionately uses to care we’ve learned that there is no one giant step that gets the job for or teach a child. My thoughts may drift to the way she Judge for the July 2009 Contest done or takes us where we want to be, instead such goals are lifted her hand in excitement to wave her first set of car keys Tim Allen, Deputy Treasurer for Policy and Administration accomplished step by step. in the air, or the hands that carried boxes to her first college Office of Oklahoma State Treasurer It’s a definite trip down Memory Lane that will bring dorm. Will I recognize that hand with the diamond ring as those little steps racing from my mind to my heart as I the same one I placed in my own to cover her mouth and begin that emotional expedition, hoping a smile keeps the 1. Each month, send a tear sheet or photocopy of your best nose as I lowered her into baptismal waters? It’s the same tears at bay. column and/or editorial to ONG Contest, c/o OPA, 3601 hand she used to teach herself to find notes on a guitar so she I envision a precious moment as we begin our journey N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. could lead out in praise and worship services; such sweet down that aisle. She’ll be dressed like a princess, and as I glance at that beauty beside me, I’m certain her veiled updo memories are sure to overflow. 2. Include the author’s name, name of publication, date of will be hidden by memories of ringlets, pigtails and even Truthfully...maybe it’s that twenty-fifth step that I’ve publication and category entered (column or editorial). thought most about...as all too soon, our wedding walk will moments of hilarity, recalling how she looked helplessly 3. Only ONE editorial and/or ONE column per writer per into the mirror, patiently teaching Dad the basics of braid- be completed, and it will be time for me to step aside. ing hair. Like so many dads before me, I’m in search of an month will be accepted. Maybe it will be memories of pacing the long hospital answer... Where did the time go? How did 22 years pass as quickly as my 25-step bridal beat is sure to disappear? 4. All entries for the previous month must be at the OPA hallways with Deana as she grew frustrated at Libby’s pro- office by the 15th of the current month. longed hesitation to enter this world. Or, how can a parent A friend recently reminded me that while I should revel forget those middle of the night mis-steps that stubbed a toe in all the “firsts” that my first-born provided, I should also 5. Winning entries will be reproduced on the OPA Web site while on the way to soothe a cry? Then there’s that magical anticipate all the firsts that are still to come.... steps yet to at www.OkPress.com. moment she pulled herself up to the coffee table, let go and be taken. took those first wobbly steps toward our open arms. So, Libby and Sol, the time is here for you to take your Entries must have been previously published. Perhaps, as she grips my arm, my firm belief that “the first steps as husband and wife. Wisdom from the book of hardest step to take is often the one through the door” will Proverbs (16:9) reminds us that in our hearts we plan our Contest open to all OPA member newspapers. be reinforced. At least that’s how this dad felt when it came life’s course, but it is the Lord who determines our steps. I time to ascend those stairs at Westside School and offer a pray you’ll always lean on one another for support as you Although Oklahoma Natural Gas Company selects kiss goodbye. put one foot in front of the other, daily seeking the Lord’s representative contest winners’ work for use in this monthly She says she’ll be wearing white peep-toe shoes hidden direction. ad, the views expressed in winning columns and editorials beneath her flowing gown, but as she glides next to me, I’m May your life together be even more bountiful in beauti- are those of the writers and don’t necessarily reflect the likely to be thinking of the seasons of her life when she was ful moments as those I’ll be remembering.... step by step. Company’s opinions.

Thank you for continued support of “Share The Warmth” Read the Winning Columns and Editorials on the OPA Web site: www.OkPress.com (Under Contests)