We Are Not the Chamber of Commerce by Marcia Martinek Arrest of Two Men and the Confiscation of “Need to Know” Editor Drugs and Weapons, All of Which Is Pictured

Published by the Institute of International Studies, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO Volume 38, No. 4 • May/June 2013 We are not the chamber of commerce By Marcia Martinek arrest of two men and the confiscation of “need to know” Editor drugs and weapons, all of which is pictured. and provide a Herald Democrat Bad news? Certainly bad news to the two medium for busi- Leadville, Colorado who were arrested and charged. Good nesses to advertise. April 11, 2013 news? Certainly good news to the Leadville Some of our news police who made the arrest. And to the rest isn’t pleasant. We It never fails that we get the occasional let- of us? Some will find it good news that the wish that the hos- ter or comment from someone who 1) won- arrest was made. Some will find it bad news pital would stop ders why we don’t just print the “happy” that this whole incident even happened at bleeding money, news or 2) objects to a specific story or series all. And a few will wish we hadn’t run the the school test of stories or editorial (or cartoon) that, story at all, because now everyone knows, scores would and Leadville looks “bad.” despite being true, shows a local institution improve and the Marcia Martinek in a bad light. So periodically we want to clarify that we county commis- In response to the first, we have on occasion are not the chamber of commerce. We are sioners would stop taken ruler in hand and actually gone not the tourism panel. Both of these organi- giving excuses for holding illegal meetings. through the newspaper measuring the inch- zations have their missions and their roles. Apparently wishing doesn’t make it so. es of good (or happy) news, bad news and We like to think that we contribute to their With the first two examples, we hear regu- plain old news. (An example of the latter efforts when we produce our winter and larly from people who wish we would ignore might be a meeting announcement.) summer fun publications, our cycling guide, hospital finance and school test scores. So our heritage guide and the Boom Days bro- Invariably we come out with a good percent- far no one has objected to our concern over chure. But those are publications. They secret meetings on the part of the BOCC. age of good news, a whole lot of plain old aren’t newspapers. news and a small amount of bad news. Things happen. We write about them with- (These are not scientific measurements.) The Herald Democrat, both the paper version out censoring the news. and online, is a newspaper. By definition it You have to understand, of course, that contains news, articles of opinion, features Some of these stories you won’t like. Some of good or bad news is in the eye of the and advertising. Our mission is to provide the same stories we won’t like either. beholder. all the local news we can dig up, give our Look at today’s front page. It’s a story of a opinions and yours, supply feature stories Marcia Martinek can be contacted at Leadville home invasion resulting in the that often are more “nice to know” than [email protected]. The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

By Cheryl Wormley The Woodstock Independent, Woodstock, Ill. Meet the ISWNE board and Chad Stebbins I received a welcome email from Chad Writing this column may be my least favorite academician and level-head and was day- Stebbins, executive director of the aspect of being ISWNE president. But at the trip planner for the last two winter board International Society of Weekly Newspaper other end of the spectrum: as president, I meetings. Editors in late April. “By the way,” he wrote, have had the privilege of working with the Members of the class of 2014 are Andy “the column you write for the May issue will board and Chad. Therefore, this column is Schotz and Barry Wilson. Andy is assistant be your last one as ISWNE president. There about them. managing editor of The Gazette weekly news- will not be a June newsletter ….” Kelly Clemmer, Wainwright, Alberta, is papers in Maryland. He also is chairman of You see, writing a column for each of ISWNE vice president. He and I were elected SPJ’s national ethics committee. ISWNE’s newsletters is my least favorite presi- to the board in 2009. He is editor and chief of Barry is our board member from down dent responsibility. I have been writing a Star News Inc., which has two weekly news- under. He is managing director of Asset weekly column for my newspaper, The papers with a combined circulation of 7,300. Media Services and lives in Kiama, New Woodstock Independent, for more than 25 Kelly will be a featured speaker at ISWNE’s South Wales. Barry is an evangelist for years. I haven’t kept a tally of the number of Green Bay conference this summer. ISWNE in Australia and New Zealand and columns, but multiplying 25 by the number Steve Bonspiel, editor/publisher of The has offered to host the 2016 conference — an of weeks in a year puts me over 1,300 col- Eastern Door, Kahnawake, Quebec, was elect- item on the board’s July board meeting agen- umns. ed to the board at the Bellingham, da. It’s one thing to write a column for my Washington, conference last summer and is Members of the class of 2013 are longtime paper’s readers. Writing for an astute audi- in the class of 2015. The Eastern Door, circula- ISWNE members Paul MacNeill and Gary ence of professional peers is another. I’ve tion 2,000, covers the Mohawk community of Sosniecki. Newspapering and ISWNE are in chosen to use the president’s column to build Kahnawake. Steve has owned the paper since Paul’s DNA. He is publisher of The Eastern ISWNE’s membership and encourage mem- July 2008. Graphic, Montague, Prince Edward Island, as bers to utilize member services — the Hotline, David Gordon, also in the class of 2015, is was his father, Jim, who was ISWNE presi- Golden Quill contest, conferences, editorial professor emeritus at the University of critiques and newspaper exchanges. Wisconsin-Eau Claire. David is the board’s continued on page 3

Cheryl Wormley Kelly Clemmer Dr. Chad Stebbins Steve Bonspiel Dave Gordon President Vice President Executive Director

Paul MacNeill Gary Sosniecki Andy Schotz Barry Wilson Kris O’Leary Immediate Past President 2 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors ISWNEISWNE membermember isis Britain’sBritain’s longest-servinglongest-serving editoreditor Scottish editor Drew Cochrane has been He was interviewed on the Shareen “British newspa- recorded for posterity by the British Broad- Nanjiani Saturday programme to speak per managements casting Corporation. about the vicissitudes of being in the edi- are already using Cochrane, who was the first-ever Green- tor’s hot seat for 38 years continuously. the slogan ‘digital slade Bursary recipient in 1977 when the Describing himself as a “dinosaur of the first’ despite the ISWNE conference was held at DeKalb, newspaper industry,” he recalled starting fact that 85 per Illinois, is reckoned to be Britain’s longest- as a cub reporter on his local Ardrossan & cent of the reve- serving editor. After he produced the Saltcoats Herald in 1969 amidst the clank- nue comes from 7,000th edition of the Largs & Millport ing linotype machines and hot metal print,” he pointed Weekly News, in the Ayrshire holiday town pages. out. of Largs last October, Cochrane, 60, was At that time you didn’t need to complete a Asked about the Drew Cochrane invited to record a radio programme with four-year university media course before biggest story on BBC Scotland. becoming a journalist. his small-town patch in almost 39 years as an editor, he “I recalled that I worked from a Monday to reckoned it would have to be the one in Thursday as an on-the-job reporter and on 2011 when a married couple in Largs a Friday would travel by train to Glasgow walked into a local shop and purchased a to study law, government, newspaper prac- lucky dip Eurolotto ticket which earned tice, etc. leading up to the national qualifi- them the world’s record-breaking £161 mil- cations. The editor could send me to court lion prize. or anywhere from day one because I arrived with 120 words per minute “The lucky couple, Colin and Chris Weir, Officers of the International Society Pitman’s shorthand which I had gained at have decided to continue living in the town of Weekly Newspaper Editors: school, so that I was able to take verbatim and they keep giving money to local causes notes.” which makes for even more great stories,” President: Cheryl Wormley he added. The Woodstock Independent When put on the spot by presenter Shareen Woodstock, Ill. about how long he foresaw local newspa- Incidentally, Cochrane has just spent time pers surviving, Cochrane reckoned that, if in the States visiting family who live in Vice President: Kelly Clemmer you based it on annual circulation decreas- Fairfield, Connecticut and intends to Star News Inc. become a regular visitor. Wainwright, Albert es of 5 to 7 per cent, there could still be weekly papers 20 years from now, but more “Even more regular if I could get early Executive Director: closely aligned to income-earning digital retirement!” Dr. Chad Stebbins, Director, Institute of International Studies, Missouri Southern website versions. State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595 Phone: (417) 625-9736 Fax: (417) 659-4445 President’s report from page 2 E-mail: [email protected] dent in 1988. Paul is past president of the ship recruitment and renewals, assists the Board of Directors: Canadian Community Newspapers president in setting agendas for board meet- Steve Bonspiel Association. ings and the annual membership meeting The Eastern Door Kahnawake, Quebec Gary and his wife, Helen, teamed up to run and records and publishes minutes of the several weekly newspapers before deciding to meetings. Chad also presides over the Dave Gordon Hotline. He is the face of ISWNE for many Professor Emeritus, work for industry-related businesses. Gary is University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with TownNews.com. He and Helen will host members — especially conference first-timers. the 2015 conference in Columbia, Missouri. His commitment and dedication to ISWNE Paul MacNeill far exceeds the small stipend he is paid. The Eastern Graphic Kris O’Leary, immediate past president, has Montague, Prince Edward Island served ISWNE with enthusiasm and passion. I am honored to have served as ISWNE presi- Gary Sosniecki Kris is publisher of The Star News, Medford, dent this year and to have worked with the TownNews.com, Moline, Ill. Wisconsin. She is the second in her family to board and Chad. Andy Schotz serve as ISWNE president. Her mother, Carol The entire board and, of course, Chad, will be The Herald-Mail O’Leary, was president in 2005. attending and participating in ISWNE’s Hagerstown, Md. If ISWNE were a book, Chad would be the upcoming conference in Green Bay. Take the Barry Wilson binding. He has served as executive director opportunity to meet and talk with them and Asset Media Services for 14 years. Each year, he edits and publish- thank them for their commitment to commu- Kiama, NSW, Australia es ISWNE’s eight newsletters and four nity journalism and their service to ISWNE. Immediate Past President: Grassroots Editor publications and organizes Kris O’Leary and administers the annual Golden Quill Cheryl Wormley can be contacted at The Star News contest. In addition, he manages member- [email protected]. Medford, Wis.

May/June 2013 3 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

Helen is senior sales and marketing manager for Interlink Inc. of Berrien Springs, Mich. They live in Le Claire, Iowa. The Sosnieckis will celebrate their anniversary later with a vacation to Estes Park, Colo. Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun dominates in S.D. For the third consecutive year, the Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun of Chamberlain, South Dakota, earned the General Excellence award in the small weekly newspaper category in the 2013 South Dakota Better Newspaper Contest. In total, the Sun earned 17 awards for column writing, feature writing, photography, layout and design, and advertising. Staff also collected the Sweepstakes award. The Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun competed in the less than 1,150 circulation division. Judges were from the Oklahoma Press Association. Awards were given during the first-ever joint convention between the South Dakota and North Dakota newspaper associations, host- ed in Rapid City, S.D., April 26-27. Editor Jessica Giard and publishers Kim and Lucy Halverson, SDNA recent past president, attended. Stebbins to lead his 10th study abroad trip Sosnieckis mark 40 years of marriage ISWNE Executive Director Chad Stebbins will lead 15 Missouri Former Missouri newspaper owners Gary and Helen Sosniecki cele- Southern State University students on a study abroad trip to London brated their 40th wedding anniversary May 15. and Paris from June 8-23. Gary Stuart Sosniecki of Bensenville, Ill., and Helen Louise Stephens The group will spend 12 days in London and three days in Paris. of Clinton, Mo., were married May 15, 1973, at Dripping Spring ISWNE members Moira Sleight, Anthony Longden, and Albert Christian Church near Columbia, Mo. Both had graduated from the Scardino will speak to the students in London. Sleight and Longden University of Missouri School of Journalism earlier in the day. are former Greenslade Bursary recipients; Scardino won the Golden The Sosnieckis worked in the newspaper business for 34 years in Quill award in 1982 while publishing The Georgia Gazette in Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri, where at various times Savannah. they owned newspapers in Humansville, Seymour, and Vandalia This is the 10th study abroad group Stebbins has led in his capacity and published The Lebanon Daily Record. as director of the Institute of International Studies at MSSU. His last Since 2008 they have been vendors to the newspaper industry. Gary trip was to Paris in March 2010. is a regional sales manager for TownNews.com of Moline, Ill., and Future Conferences Save the dates...upcoming ISWNE conferences 2013: July 10-14 Green Bay, Wisconsin 2014: June 25-29 Durango, Colorado 2015: June 24-28 Columbia, Missouri

4 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors SilentSilent auctionauction donationsdonations welcomedwelcomed Even if you’re not able to attend the 2013 ISWNE conference in Green and Past Presidents’ scholarships. These endowed funds guarantee five Bay, you can still be part of the action by donating a silent auction item. new faces at every summer conference. Other editors are granted schol- Anyone wishing to send an item prior to the conference can address arships as funds allow. Since its inception, the auction has funded more packages to Jan Haupt, N980 Hillestad Road, Lodi, WI 53555. Please than 75 scholarships to conferences. mark the package “Silent Auction.” Jan asks that you include your name The auction provides a social aspect to the conference, which is packed and a brief description of the item. Arrangements can also be made to with educational and editorial workshops and tours. Each year, at least ship packages after the conference. Of course, cash donations to the one friendly rivalry exists as bidders take pen in hand to raise the price foundation are always appropriate and can be sent to ISWNE executive on a favorite item. The person who donates the item that brings in the director Chad Stebbins. highest dollar amount has a $50 donation to the foundation made in The silent auction has been a conference staple since 2004. All auction their name. proceeds directly benefit the ISWNE Foundation. The foundation was So, start thinking or go shopping for your 2013 silent auction donation. established in 2001 as the financial arm of the International Society of You could either bring or take home the most-sought-after item on the Weekly Newspaper Editors. It is governed by a board of ISWNE members tables! who report directly to the ISWNE Board of Directors. The foundation’s primary purpose is to oversee scholarships to the annual conferences. Questions about the auction can be directed to Vickie Canfield Peters at These include the Long-Waring, Hazel Brannon Smith, Freireich, Mazza [email protected]. HowHow GreenGreen BayBay editorialeditorial critiquescritiques willwill workwork The editorial critique sessions have been a focal point for ISWNE confer- • Put aside 10 copies each of those issues (the complete print edition) to ences for decades and 2013 ISWNE summer conference in Green Bay is bring or send to the conference. Those hard copies are important tools no exception. in both the round-table discussion as well as helping provide context for A key to successful sessions is planning, organization and pre-confer- the pages. You can either bring them with you or mail them; further ence participation in the exchange of editorial pages for the sessions. instructions will be given with the group assignments. That includes exchanging PDF files of the editorial and op-ed pages • Get the PDF files of the editorial and op-ed pages from those issues within the groups about a month before the conference. Plans are to ready to send now. That will speed up the process when you receive the divide the participants into groups in late May; the group assignments instructions, which will call for a short deadline to send the PDF files to and instructions will be sent out in early June. But it’s not too early to your respective groups. begin planning. The sooner we can complete the exchange the better for the entire pro- This year, all EC participants bringing newspapers to the sessions are cess. asked to select three consecutive issues from either March, April or May. If anyone has questions, feel free to email Tim Waltner at timlwaltner@ • We encourage you to make those selections now. gmail.com; he is helping coordinate the EC sessions in Green Bay. Guess who’s coming to Green Bay? Steve Bonspeil, Kahnawake, Quebec Vickie Canfield Peters, Valleyford, Washington Don & Deb Brod, St. Charles, Illinois Marquita Porter, Avondale, Arizona Andrew Broman, Litchfield, Minnesota Steve Ranson, Fallon, Nevada Kelly Clemmer, Wainwright, Alberta Rebecca Rudolph, River Falls, Wisconsin Ross Connelly, Hardwick, Vermont Andy Schotz, Thurmont, Maryland Conrad, Hazel, John, Kevin, Lucinda & Gary & Helen Sosniecki, LeClaire, Iowa Warren Flink, Abbotsford, Wisconsin Chad & Laurel Stebbins, Joplin, Missouri Elliott Freireich, Avondale, Arizona Jane Steinmetz, Henderson, North Carolina Sandra George, Jonesville, Michigan Tiffany & KT Waddell, Anson, Texas David Giffey, Spring Green, Wisconsin Jeremy Waltner, Freeman, South Dakota Dave & Sue Gordon, Altoona, Wisconsin Tim & Mary Waltner, Freeman, South Dakota Jim Graue, Valleyford, Washington Peter Weinschenk, Abbotsford, Wisconsin Bill & Jan Haupt, Lodi, Wisconsin Bob Whetstone, Medford, Wisconsin Cary Hines, Avondale, Arizona Barry & Jill Wilson, Kiama, New South Wales, Australia Marcia Martinek, Leadville, Colorado Brian Wilson, Medford, Wisconsin Kevin O’Brien, Abbotsford, Wisconsin Chris & Judy Wood, Green Bay, Wisconsin Carol O’Leary, Medford, Wisconsin Guy & Marcia Wood, Angel Fire, New Mexico Kris O’Leary, Abbotsford, Wisconsin Cheryl & Jim Wormley, Woodstock, Illinois Colleen Pallidan, Fallon, Nevada Joey & Lindsey Young, Andale, Kansas

May/June 2013 5 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

59th ISWNE ANNUAL CONFERENCE July 10-14, Green Bay, WI ● St. Norbert College (De Pere, WI) Preconference: July 9, Door County, WI To register online: https://www.formstack.com/forms/ WNA-iswne_annual_conference__PayPalcopy Registration Deadline: Monday, May 20, 2013 Questions? Contact Jan Haupt at [email protected], 608-592-4278 Fee of $500 for adults, $260 ages 4-17, $150 ages 3 and under. Includes housing, transportation and admission to all events. Add $50 for each additional night if staying at campus facility. Late registration fees of $150 per person will be applied after May 20. Name/email/cell phone of adult(s): ______Name(s) and age of youth(s): ______Complete mail address & home/office phone: ______First conference? Yes No Will participate in editorial critiques ? Yes No (If yes, complete editorial critique section below) Special needs/requests/dietary restrictions: ______BRIEF bio (name of newspaper(s), title, etc.) to be passed out to conference attendees (photo optional)______

ROOM PREFERENCE Conference: Adults _____ Number @ $500 each $ ______

(Optional) An effort will be made to Conference: Ages 4-17 _____ Number @ $260 each $ ______accommodate room preferences, Conference: Ages 3 and under _____ Number @ $150 each $ ______but cannot be guaranteed. Pre-conference: Adults _____ Number @ $170 each $ ______Townhouses (with AC): 3 rooms Pre-conference: Ages 4-17 _____ Number @ $100 each $ ______with 2 single beds each (sleeps up to 6). Share lodging with: Pre-conference: Ages 3 and under _____ Number @ $45 each $ ______Single Surcharge _____ Number @ $150 each $ ______Kress Inn (with AC): One queen Early arrival (per adult/night) _____ Number @ $50 each $ ______bed with pull-out couch. Limited rooms have 2 queen beds. Early arrival (17 and under) _____ Number @ $25 each $ ______Carriage House (with AC): 2 rooms TOTAL REGISTRATION: $ ______with 2 single beds each (sleeps up PAYMENT INFORMATION to 4). Share lodging with: ______CHECKS payable in US funds to : ISWNE 2013. Mail to: WNA, 1901 Fish Hatch- ery Rd., Madison, WI 53713 ___ MMM (No AC): Dorm rooms with 2 single beds per room CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS (VISA, MC or American Express). Pay ohline or call Wisconsin Newspaper Association (Bonnie Fechtner) at 608-283-7622 with your ___ No preference credit card information.

FLIGHT INFORMATION optional, to possibly share rental cars with other conference participants Airport ______Airline/Flight No: ______Arrival Date: ______Arival Time: ______

(1-4:30, Friday, July 12, 2013) EDITORIAL CRITIQUE SESSIONS Please list editorial critique information for only those who will participate (do not list those who are not participating). If more than one person is listed below, please indicate if they want to be in the same or different groups. Same/diff Name Newspaper (indicate if none) email (please print) group ______

______Additional details will be provided via email at a later date. Group leaders and assignments will be provided no later than June 15, 2013.

6 May/June 2013 Thecontinued International on Societypage 11of Weekly Newspaper Editors ‘Quirky’‘Quirky’ birthbirth announcementsannouncements winswins awardaward

The Gabriola Sounder in Gabriola Island, British Columbia, has won the gold award in the BCYCNA (British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspapers Association) category for ad design (circulation under 25,000) at the annual Ma Murray Awards held in Richmond, B.C., on April 20. The ad picked by the judges happened to be the birth announcement of Colin Kilbourn, son of publisher Sarah Holmes and editor Derek Kilbourn. “With his mother, grandfather, two great-uncles, great-grandfather, and great-great- grandfather all being former/current newspaper publishers and editors, we felt it was important to include his heritage in the announcement in the paper,” Derek Kilbourn said. Judges’ remarks: “Great photo concept and good complemen- tary use of typography. Good sense of balanced layout with the right amount of ‘quirky.’ Very original!”

Order your ISWNE history book today We’re now taking orders for the long-awaited history of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors, written by Vickie Canfield Peters. Watchdogs, Town Criers, Historians: The People and Newspapers of ISWNE is softbound with 208 pages of text and more than 100 pictures. It chronicles the people of the organization from 1955 to 2010 and features a foreword by Garrett Ray. Cost is $40 per copy, plus the following shipping charges: $3 within the United States, $10 to Canada, and $17 elsewhere in the world. Please send checks made payable to ISWNE to Chad Stebbins, Missouri Southern State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595.

May/June 2013 7 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors TimeTime capsulecapsule messagemessage toto peoplepeople inin 20522052 By Don Nelson dead or dying. Large dailies in metropolitan papers survived and Publisher and editor markets had an especially hard time of it even thrived Methow Valley News after the economic model that drove the because their adver- Twisp, Washington industry collapsed. But it wasn’t just that the tisers got results May 8, 2013 industry’s leaders didn’t foresee or effectively from a print prod- react to the power and scope of the Internet uct that usually had A time capsule commemorating Winthrop’s first as an information free-for-all (emphasis on substantial commu- 40 years of westernization will be sealed at a cere- “free”). They stopped trusting in the value nity roots and wide mony in Mac Lloyd Park on Sunday (May 12). and impact of what newspapers could do. distribution. In the Contributions were sought from throughout the That wasn’t the case everywhere. Out in best circumstances, community. Here’s our message to the people who many of the country’s suburban communities it came down to Don Nelson open the capsule in 2052. and rural towns, newspapers continued to this: The newspaper have an essential presence. Some were strug- and the community gling and all were necessarily adapting to the believed in each other and needed each Forty years ago, many people still read news- other. papers. Their demographics skewed toward Internet age, but they weren’t dropping dead. “seniors,” which means that most of them are Most of them weren’t even sick. The Methow Valley News had been around for long gone now, and were probably not There was a fundamental reason that the more than 100 years when I purchased it in replaced by readers familiar with or favorable smaller newspapers appeared to have a bet- 2011. I felt a great sense of heritage and toward print on paper. ter future (by now, that presumption will have responsibility. For me, publishing the News played out one way or another): They were was a community service that could only People who liked newspapers — because they meet that mission if it was financially viable. were portable, tactile, accessible, storable, close to and intimate with their communities. Small-town papers were personal, relentlessly That wasn’t easy. Even here, the inroads of foldable, shareable and recyclable — knew online information were having an impact. they were literally a dying breed. The digital/ local, service-driven, feisty, nimble and, at social media/universally wired set smugly their best, fearless. They practiced responsible As of this writing, we’re making it, we have a regarded those who stubbornly clung to journalism that showed the community in its positive role in the community and I truly love paper as dinosaurs trudging toward deserved best light and, when necessary, in its worst. what I’m doing in this remarkable place. We extinction. It’s been said that newspapers are the first don’t know what’s coming that will affect our draft of history, and the valley has a rich and way of doing business or may even make it It was a difficult time for those of us who impossible. Perhaps the folks who called us believed in the power and purpose of journal- complex past. For instance, if you are reading this in 2052, the fierce and defining battle Luddites (you may need to look that up) will ism and narrative storytelling. Despite all the be proved right. I hope not. I hope that some doom-saying, we continued to work at news- over whether to create a massive ski resort near Mazama has been settled for more than version of this newspaper, even in a different papers because it was what fulfilled us. It format or delivered by different means (fiber wasn’t for the money or the prestige. half a century. If you paged through our archives (online, probably) you would see or cyber), will still be giving this community We didn’t get paid much and a lot of people that the News was instrumental in telling the the attention it deserves with information it didn’t like us — in some measure because we Methow’s story, one issue at a time. We were can trust. were in the truth business. Trust was hard- the connector between past and future. won and credibility a precious commodity. In spite of the Internet onslaught, small-town Don Nelson can be contacted at It was widely believed that newspapers were [email protected].

8 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors DoesDoes ClaremoreClaremore reallyreally wantwant aa war?war? By John M. Wylie II The chamber is griping about money avail- Publisher and editor able to the city. Perhaps the city should first Oologah Lake Leader learn to manage the money it has. Oologah, Oklahoma It could start by figuring out how to use its April 25, 2013 “new” city water plant, which won’t be paid off for many years. The plant has never Claremore’s Chamber of Commerce just came out against renewal of worked, has sat idle for years, and is not part the penny sales tax for county roads when voters go to the polls May of the $45.5 million the city’s engineer says 14. is needed to provide reliable water service. Does Claremore really want a war with the rest of the county, whose The existing plant has broken down twice in residents outnumber city residents by a margin of almost 4-1? the past few months, forcing the city to beg John M. Wylie II Does the Chamber really want to extort funds from the county for city residents not to use water. streets, even though the Attorney General has ruled that this would be The Chamber doesn’t want to talk about that. illegal? Nor does it acknowledge that its proposal for the county “to work with Do the Claremore merchants who make up the chamber realize that the City of Claremore, using county road tax funds, to address critical while they may collect 50 percent of the sales taxes in the county, road projects inside the city limits” was ruled blatantly illegal five years Claremore city residents don’t provide nearly that much? ago by the Oklahoma Attorney General. In short, does Claremore really want a war? Don’t take our word for it. AG Opinion No. 2008-9 is available on the state court website, OSCN.net, in the legal research section. It concludes, “A county may not lawfully enter into an agreement with 2013 Sustaining Members a municipality with a population in excess of 15,000 requiring the expenditure of county funds to assist in the building and/or repair In addition to paying their $60 ISWNE membership dues, and/or maintenance for any part of the project that is located within these individuals have donated $40 more to the Society. the city limits…” We appreciate their generosity! We wonder how many Chamber members know that? We wonder Don Brod Gary and Helen Sosniecki how many would remain members if they knew their board had Donald Q. Smith Matt Jenkins issued a written statement putting the chamber on record as demand- Cheryl Wormley Mary Jo and Dick Lee ing that the city and county violate state law. We doubt there are Garrett Ray Phoebe Baker many. Carol Wilcox David Gordon Claremore’s city manager loves to brag about the 55,000 people in his Tom Wills Clyde Wills fenceline. We wonder if the 35,000 who live in the fenceline but out- John Galer Steve Thurston side the city limits also know that the county road tax builds, main- Frank Garred Bob Watson tains and plows their roads. Tom Locke Will Nicholls And we wonder how many will continue to shop in Claremore when Andy Schotz Steve Ranson they find out the city wants to steal that tax money. After all, Owasso, John Marshall Sandra George Vinita, Pryor and Tulsa are always available. Ross Connelly Jeremy Condliffe Stephen Zender Cecile Krimm Losing business to other cities is what the chamber says it wants to Don Corrigan Frank McTighe avoid by opposing the tax. Starting a war is sure a bad way of doing it. Bill Tubbs Chris Wood We don’t want a war with Claremore, because the city and county Derek Sawvell David Burke working together make the entire county a better place to live. Carol O’Leary Missy Layfield But if city residents want to put the Kim Jong-un faction of city leader- Robert E. Trapp Allan J. Bassler ship in charge and rattle a nuclear-tipped saber, that’s their business. Robert B. Trapp Shirley Murray When it results in war, they can’t say they weren’t warned. Paul MacNeill Bill Reader We urge the Claremore Chamber board to withdraw its recommenda- Laurie Ezzell Brown Ronald Dupont Jr. tion. Kris O’Leary Barry Wilson Brad Martin Nikki Mantell John Wylie can be contacted at [email protected].

May/June 2013 9 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Time for Minnesota to stop marginalizing gay couples By David Phillips amendment to rewrite the state constitution to are just as human as Publisher prohibit it. the rest of us and Bluff Country Newspaper Group Some opponents in the debate still say they they often change Spring Valley, Minnesota believe that homosexuality is a choice. Yet, I their minds. April 17, 2013 ask myself why would an individual choose a Confronting the so-called lifestyle that drives him to such deep humanity of an I haven’t always been a businessman, despair? No one would choose that. issue will often overcome abstract, theo- Chamber of Commerce member and commu- Although I have no idea what happened to nity booster type of person in the mainstream retical principles, him after college, as he wasn’t a close friend, I which is why this of society. When I was younger, I existed, for now wonder how his life turned out. As gay lack of a better word, on the margin, as I didn’t issue is changing so David Phillips people became more accepted in our society rapidly across the fit into any cliques, mainstream or otherwise, over the past few decades, did he find some during my school years. country, even in inner, lasting peace so he wouldn’t feel the rural areas, albeit at a slower pace. Living on the margin, you meet interesting need to disappear at times? people, some that I wouldn’t want to include This is also a religious issue for many. Yet, not I also wonder if he found a partner to share in all religions agree on this and a change in in my clique, if I ever had any desire to form a his life. If he did, would being denied the clique, as they were just not nice individuals. legal status wouldn’t force religions to change choice to legally declare this relationship a their beliefs or practices. Besides, the religious One of the good guys, though, I met in my last marriage also cause despair? year of college. He was sociable, witty, friendly argument seems to center around homosexual- and interesting in a good way. The reason his Some opponents of same-sex marriage argue ity, not marriage, and a change in the law life existed on the margin was not his choice, that it will weaken traditional marriages. My won’t change human nature. There will still be but because he was openly gay. wife and I have been married for more than 30 just as many gay people as before. years. There are threats to our marriage, but Several decades ago, mainstream society mar- The difference with a change in the marriage gay couples showing their commitment status will be that gay people won’t be treated ginalized gay people, at least the few that through marriage isn’t one of them. would acknowledge their homosexuality. as second class citizens. They won’t be denied Those who were identified as gay were routine- In fact, I speculate that if this long-ago friend the ability to take care of family issues, health ly ignored, or, worse, condemned, feared or lived with a partner in our neighborhood care directives and other rights most of us take hated by the majority of people. today and was an important part of our lives, for granted. a real marriage for him could strengthen our I had a collection of misfit friends in college It’s time for Minnesota to join our neighbor to marriage. With society accepting his commit- the south — Iowa, where little has changed for that knew what it is like to be judged, so my ted relationship, perhaps that would help friendship with him wasn’t questioned, at least the worse in society since same-sex marriage make him a whole person, one that could con- was made legal four years ago — and other by them. As I got to know this individual bet- tribute fully to the community and add enjoy- ter, I noticed that he would just disappear for states that have opened the doors to gay cou- ment to our married lives since he wouldn’t ples. lengths of time. One day, I asked him about his have that anxiety looming over him. lapses and he told me that he would check I realize this stance has the potential to put me himself into a mental health facility to get help I realize that in rural Minnesota, there is not back on the margin of rural society. However, coping with life, sometimes using drastic mea- much support for same-sex marriage, at least that’s my choice and I know I’m fortunate to sures. as evidenced by the vote totals on the constitu- have that choice. However, I also feel the need tional amendment last fall. That revelation still haunts me, although I to speak out for those decent, loving citizens hadn’t really thought about him until recently That’s because there aren’t many gay people, that remain marginalized through no choice of when the debate about same-sex marriage in at least openly gay people, living in rural their own. Minnesota came to the forefront. There is a Minnesota. When people meet gay individuals push at the capital by legislators to allow same- or when friends or family members come out David Phillips can be contacted at sex marriage after voters last fall defeated an of the closet, heterosexual people find out they [email protected].

10 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors BuildingBuilding bridgesbridges ofof understandingunderstanding By Bill Tubbs by-side with Soviet General Secretary Joseph Interfaith Service Publisher Stalin at the Tehran Conference on Nov. 29, that opened the The North Scott Press 1943, as an example. The picture sent a pow- 2013 Rotary Eldridge, Iowa erful message of hope to the world that even International May 1, 2013 though the U.S. and Great Britain didn’t see Council On eye-to-eye on many things with Soviet Russia, Legislation at the For the second week in a row I’ll be brief, and all three Allies were committed to the destruc- Marriott this week I’ll let a picture be my editorial. tion of Hitler’s evil Nazi empire. Conference Center There is no reason you would know either of on the Magnificent In a visual communications class at Iowa Mile in downtown State some 45 years ago, the late, great pro- the gentlemen in the photo below, but to me, it conveys a similar message of hope. The Chicago. Other Bill Tubbs fessor Rod Fox — a veteran from the trenches speakers included: of World War II — said some pictures are com- man on the left is Gideon Peiper, a director of Rotary International who is from Hasharon, Yusho Yamaji from Kanangawa, Japan, repre- pelling not because of their artistic makeup, senting Buddhism; Ashok Tanted, from but simply because of who the subjects are. Israel. He is a Jew. The man on the right is Ali Akhtar, a Rotary past district governor from Madhya Pradash, India, representing He lifted up the photo of President Franklin Karachi, Pakistan. He is a Muslim. Hinduism; and James Richard Churchman Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sitting side- from Lake Charles, La., USA, representing I took the photo on Sunday, April 21, at an Christianity. As I have written before, a service like this can be done in a meaningful way that respects the traditions of each of the world’s great religions. It is possible because the participants are men and women of goodwill who set aside their parochial differences to look for the common good, the “pearl of great price” that unites and does not divide. I published a similar column in 1998 and stirred a hornet’s nest. The letters from those who insisted theirs was the only true religion went back and forth for 13 weeks. I pray that our acceptance of those who are different has progressed since then, but then I look at the news and see wars — and holy wars — because people are not able to peace- ably settle their differences. And I also see emails seeking to prove one religion better than the others and labeling those who are not of the senders’ particular faith as infidels. The individuals in the photo, I believe, are more representative of the large numbers in every faith who wish to live in peace with their fellow man than those who beat their breasts from the rooftop. In this service of Rotary International, we are able to see that peace is possible. May it be so. Gideon Peiper, a Jew from Israel, and Ali Akhtar, a Muslim from Pakistan, in fellowship with one another at the Rotary International Interfaith Service. Bill Tubbs can be contacted at [email protected].

May/June 2013 11 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors MediaMedia mustmust nourishnourish communitycommunity engagementengagement

By David Gordon of The Civic Commons in Shaker Heights, the notion of a pub- Ohio — a social media environment designed lic utility model for “Community engagement,” for media rang- for civic (and civil) conversation and thought- news, an idea that ing from start-ups to established dailies or ful dialogue. (See www.theciviccommons. failed to gain much weeklies, was a key discussion theme during com.) traction. the early April “Journalism That Matters” Ted Anthony, editor-at-large for the Associated In regard to for- conference at the University of Denver. Press, said he preferred the term “civic profit media, Dan Some 60 people attended the conference, sub- involvement” rather than “engagement.” But Petty, social media titled “Journalism is Dead; Long Live either way, he said, the key question is how to editor of The Denver Journalism.” Many said they were dedicated get started on discussions a community needs Post, said his paper to working with their communities to produce to have but doesn’t want to begin. is developing a social change, using journalism as a tool. One suggested approach to reaching “the major new revenue David Gordon Others are trying to create a community or communities we don’t hear from” was to work stream by provid- hyper-local news outlet in what they called through non-profit agencies to reach the peo- ing strategic marketing and creative services, “media deserts” — places that aren’t served, ple who feel that the local newspaper was especially for social media ad campaigns. He or are under-served, by mainstream media. never interested in their stories. One aspect of noted that half of the Post’s digital audience is this outreach should be making sure that on mobile devices, which so far produce rela- The conference drew people from locations tively little direct ad revenue. ranging from New England to North Carolina “engagement” doesn’t come to mean the and Florida, and west to Colorado, San same thing as “privilege,” according to As for social media use by journalists, Petty Francisco and Washington state…and many Michelle Ferrier of Elon University — a JTM wrote in his pre-conference bio that, while points in between. They came (among others) board member and founder and publisher of important, they are only one tool. “In the from alternative news outlets, niche publica- LocallyGrownNews.com, a hyperlocal online end, good storytelling — whether in word, tions or those devoted to particular causes, community for local food advocates. videos or pictures or graphics — is the most The Denver Post, the NBC station in Cleveland, Rita Andolsen, director of advocacy and com- important, and…social [media] should help Ohio, Media Ethics magazine, groups working munity initiatives for WKYC-TV (the Gannett- us reach that goal,” he said. to influence how journalism evolves, several owned NBC outlet in Cleveland) since last Other gleanings from two days of discussions: foundations and other funding sources, and a August, provided one example of how a “civic • Tom Stites, head of the Haverhill number of universities. engagement” model might work. Andolsen (Massachusetts) Banyan Project, said he has The group included five of the seven board spent the prior six years as the station’s news now completed all the steps required to be members of Journalism That Matters (JTM), director, and said that her new position was certified as a consumer cooperative (in this which describes itself as “an evolving collabo- created to blend journalism and advocacy so case, news consumers) by the National ration of individuals” that aims to convene as to leverage the station’s influence and pro- Cooperative Business Association. He said he and connect “the people who are shaping the duce positive change in the community — but hoped this model could be used elsewhere to news and information ecology so that jour- without giving up the newsroom’s journalistic finance news operations that would serve nalism serves the needs of individuals and integrity. existing “media deserts.” (See http://banyan- communities to be self-governing.” The JTM So far, she said, the station is one for one, project.coop/) website also notes that it views “journalism with the strong support it gave to a school tax • Stites also noted that the head of the that both matters and supports a free democ- levy increase that passed last fall after failing Haverhill public library, who is on his board, racy” as a conversation, which it calls “a a half dozen previous times. The campaign has offered to make the Banyan Project’s groundbreaking shift from journalism as a used school children as the central focus of home page the default site on all of the lecture.” (See http://journalismthatmatters. on-air editorials telling the story of why the library’s computers. Stites added that his proj- org/.) increase was needed, and drew no backlash ect is moving forward step-by-step, unlike The community (or civic) engagement discus- whatever, Andolsen said. some others represented at the conference sions at the conference produced a wide A second major theme at the conference was whose approach, he said, seems to be range of ideas. One was to replace editorial how to fund today’s journalism, both start- “ready…fire…aim” (which also happens to be boards with “engagement boards” that would ups and established operations — with partic- a formula endorsed by JTM in order to include community members as well as edito- ular emphasis on non-profits. One suggestion encourage rapid experimentation and avoid rial staff. This, supporters said, would give the was to embrace “revenue promiscuity” and “analysis paralysis”). community a meaningful role in the decision- seek funding from a wide variety of sources, • Peggy Holman, one of the JTM board mem- making process on editorial stands and, per- including foundations, subscriptions, dona- bers, noted that there is research showing haps more important, on news coverage. tions, advertising, local philanthropists inter- that greater change occurs when stories The suggestion came from Dan Moulthrop, ested in supporting new voices and — at least about a situation focus on what’s working the “curator of conversation” and co-founder indirectly — government entities…including rather than on shortcomings and failures.

continued on page 13

12 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors CourierCourier earnsearns interstateinterstate honorhonor First-ever joint newspaper convention of the Dakotas held in Black Hills The Freeman Courier won the “Best of the Dakotas Award” in the cate- photos, sidebars. Makes me want to see gory of medium weeklies announced at a joint convention of the some sausage made.” North Dakota Newspaper Association and South Dakota Newspaper • Newspaper Website — Jeremy Waltner nd Association held in Rapid City April 25-27. Tim L. Waltner. Judges’ comments: “Very It was the first time in history that the two newspaper associations well done. This is a good website with a lot held a joint convention. It was also the first time for the “Best of the of thought and effort put in. Good work.” Dakotas Award” — a general excellence award that included newspa- • Photo Series — Dave Eggen, Jeremy pers from both states in five circulation categories. Waltner and Tim L. Waltner for their photos The Courier was judged with weeklies from both states with circulations of the 2012 Schmeckfest. Judges’ comments: of 1,151 to 2,000. The judges noted “This newspaper seems to offer a “An amazing community event well docu- genuine connection with the community as well as reflecting a real mented in photos. Made my mouth water. sense of Freeman city and school issues. Excellent photos and sharp Great job.” Jeremy Waltner reproduction; good sized and well-placed. Locally designed and pro- • Public Service Project — Jeremy Waltner duced ads are very good. Very good product — I didn’t miss the color.” and Tim L. Waltner for their coverage of the The final comment is a reference to the fact that as a black and white 2012 Freeman City Council/Mayor election. publication, the Courier is a minority with a growing number of week- Judges’ comments: “Good entries.” Entry lies that use full color. earned perfect score of 200 for composition, The “Best of the Dakotas Award” was one of 14 awards the Courier coverage and impact. received last week. Thirteen of them came in the 2013 South Dakota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest. The SDNA newspa- Joint convention per contest recognizes the best writing, photography and design in the weekly and daily newspapers in the state, divided into five circulation During the three-day convention members categories — three weekly and two daily. of both associations joined in discussions about a variety of newspaper issues includ- The Courier was judged in the middle category of weeklies with circula- ing newspapers’ online presence, postal Tim L. Waltner tions between 1,151 and 2,000. In addition to specific areas, the issues and public notices. The Friday eve- Courier earned a third-place General Excellence Award in the SDNA ning awards banquet was held at Mount Rushmore. contest; the Courier has earned general excellence awards 16 out of the past 19 years. The newspaper association honored longtime South Dakota newspaper journalist Parker Knox with the SDNA Distinguished Service Award. Knox worked with both weekly and daily papers in South First-place awards Dakota during his 35-year career at Custer, Onida, Pierre and • Feature Series — Jeremy Waltner for his three-part series in July 2012 Vermillion. The award is given to someone who has demonstrated out- on life and death. Judges’ comments: “A fresh take on a sometimes standing service to the newspaper profession in South Dakota. predictable subject. Excellent writing. Very well done.” The South Dakota Newspaper Association, founded in 1882 and based • News Series — Timothy Garrison, Erik Kaufman, Jeremy Waltner and in Brookings, represents 130 weekly and daily newspapers with a total Tim L. Waltner for their pre- and post-coverage of the 2012 readership of more than 600,000. Schmeckfest. Judges’ comments: “Complete package; good stories,

Media must nourish community engagement from page 12

• One conclusion from a session on how to connect to underserved/ to a healthy 21st century news/information ecosystem. The two state- underinformed communities: journalists need to show how news ments which drew the greatest agreement both dealt with civic impacts these communities in a real way — something that the non- engagement: “Nourishing community engagement is journalism’s profit news outlet OaklandLocal.com does well. bedrock purpose,” and a commitment “to putting engagement at the • The Poynter Institute and CQ Press will publish a book this summer center of our work.” on journalism ethics for the digital age, including a new ethics code designed to replace the SPJ Code of Ethics. One key focus of the new ISWNE board member David Gordon is a retired University of Wisconsin-Eau code will be on transparency. Claire professor who taught mass media law and ethics for many years. He As the conference was wrapping up, participants were asked to sum- can be contacted at [email protected]. marize what they thought the discussions had pinpointed as essential

May/June 2013 13 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors CelebrationCelebration showsshows importanceimportance ofof sportssports toto ruralrural communitiescommunities By Whitney Leggett get to where they are. But, despite any per- greater than one News editor sonal struggles, these athletes rallied together person and the Citizen Voice & Times for a victory that will not be soon forgotten by ability to escape Irvine, Kentucky their classmates, parents and neighbors. reality for a couple Feb. 28, 2013 More than that, this team and this victory of hours and ride finally made me realize why high school the roller coaster of The crowd was roaring from behind me as I sports mean so much to rural communities. emotion that is a stood gripping my camera. sporting event with I read an article on Bleacher Report written people also fully I was ready. I was about to snap the photo of by Correspondent Johnathan Cace, in which entrenched in the my life. he perfectly sums up what sports mean to game...these are He was ready to take the shot and I was ready individuals and communities as a whole. the things that all to capture it. He explains in his column the way that sports come with sports.” Whitney Leggett So, with sweaty palms I watched as the time unite communities, schools, classmates, etc. in Several of the ath- on the game clock changed quickly — too the midst of tragedy, success and the common letes said the win quickly. love for the game. was the happiest moment of their life and I I kept telling myself we just didn’t have the He writes, “In the grand scheme of life and overheard another, say, with his hands at his time. There was no coming back from here. history, sports are insignificant: the world will face in disbelief, “It’s just too much to take in.” For some reason, though, I remained pre- continue to spin without the NFL, despite pop- A week later people are still posting about the pared. ular opinion. But at its very essence sports are victory, about the celebration that was surely a celebration of everything it means to be a heard across the county. With less than two seconds to spare, the ball human being, pure optimism.” hit his hands and without thought, he tossed I have a friend who works for a newspaper in it up. These words were never so true as I watched a bigger city in Kentucky. He messaged me as the people who have become my neigh- the night of the game because he could sense I stepped up on the bleacher in front of me bors rallied around our high school’s student- and silence fell around the gymnasium for my excitement. My conversation with him athletes last week. The community didn’t just solidified my feelings towards rural sports. just a split second. show up to support the boys’ team. They It all happened so fast, my mind nor my cam- weren’t even there to only support the basket- He kept telling me how cool it was that the era could keep up. ball teams. team he reports about had won. I couldn’t It was all net and the crowd erupted. help tell him that I thought the Estill County The crowds of people that I found myself sur- victory was even cooler. They had done it. Down two points, with two rounded by were cheering for the cheerlead- seconds on the clock, the boys’ basketball ers, the dance team, the boys’ basketball For many rural student-athletes, the impact team had won the district tournament despite team and the girls’ basketball team — there they had on the court, on the field or cheer- a grueling and anxiety-filled match. was no bias. ing the crowds on will be a huge part of their legacy. The last-second three-pointer had just pushed And, watching the crowd flood the court and the team to a one-point lead and they were practically tackle the boys’ team in excite- It’s no secret that a lot of the students who headed to the regional tournament. ment, I couldn’t help but stand back and feel graduate from Estill County High School will at peace. go to college close to home and move back to I didn’t get to capture the shot I wanted. start their families locally. When I made it back to the office last week, All the anxiety and excitement that built up there was no photo of Brandon Morris mak- watching the boys battle back and forth and They will become the next generation of busi- ing the winning shot. back and forth for the lead in the game had ness-owners, political candidates, educators been released. The sweat had dried from my and coaches. Years from they will be remem- That doesn’t mean I left without capturing bered for their victories on their court, which the shot of my life. It was a little blurry, palms and the pressure of catching the right shots for work was gone. for some may be greater than their successes maybe a little dark for a front-page shot, but off the court. the sheer emotion is what makes the photo so New emotions had filled the air: hope, opti- special. mism and community. The reason school sports are so important in communities like ours, is because they create In the midst of the celebration I was able to I couldn’t believe how happy I felt for a group a common ground — a cohesion of families catch Morris and his teammate Colby Baber of kids I have never even met or had conver- from different socioeconomic statuses, differ- embracing each other with tears of joy, per- sation with. Watching their celebration and ent races, different religions and different haps even of disbelief, running down their witnessing the overflowing of emotion was political parties. faces. almost more than I could handle. If the people of our community can’t agree on The community knows better than I the strug- Cace wrote, “The basic need for camaraderie, anything else or get along under any other gles that these athletes have gone through to to believe and be able to take pride an entity circumstances, they can come together, united

continued on page 16

14 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors StopStop playingplaying thethe partpart ofof WileWile E.E. CoyoteCoyote

By Ben Kleppinger nowhere to be seen, and, right on cue, the ter, most notably Editor sequester contraption launched its painful last week, when The Interior Journal payload directly at the American people. legislators passed Stanford, Kentucky The elusive, financial roadrunner is still out bipartisan legisla- May 2, 2013 there, somewhere, meep-meeping its head off tion restoring previ- at our stupidity. ously cut air-traffic- controller positions. It’s a television scene familiar to most of us And just like Wile E. never learns from his mis- over 20 years old: Wile E. Coyote buys himself takes, we haven’t changed our tunes. We’re Our own congress- an ACME catapult and assembles it, aiming a no closer to finding common ground and man, Hal Rogers, huge, red rock to land on a black “X” where solving our real problems, even as national has pushed for he anticipates the elusive Roadrunner will headlines continue to detail the ever-growing changes to the pass by. number of ways our lives are being impacted sequester that Ben Kleppinger As Coyote lies in wait, licking his chops, negatively by the sequester on a daily basis. would help the Pentagon deal with cuts (too bad he’s not Roadrunner blazes down the road toward the Congress has allowed a handful of depart- “X.” Right on cue, Coyote pulls his trigger pushing for changes that would help Lincoln ments some grace in making their cuts and County and his district instead). rope, but nothing happens. made some exceptions when public pressure After a few more unproductive yanks on the became too great. But one of the less fortu- Congress has demonstrated it can turn off or rope, Coyote begins to examine his contrap- nate departments — education — is still being redirect the sequester as it wishes. It could tion. As he stands on the X, staring up at the forced to make substantial, painful cuts that eliminate the entire malformed abomination rock, the trigger snaps and Coyote is crushed hit home here in Lincoln County. in a single night if enough senators and representatives would come to their senses. by his own trap. Federal funding for Lincoln’s school district Our federal government could learn quite a has been on the decline for many years, but Our legislators need to hear from us about few lessons from Wile E. Coyote — namely, this coming year, the sequester cuts are dog- the negative effects their sequester contrap- that it should stop behaving so much like piling on top of other cuts to make things tion is having here in Lincoln County. They him. really awful for Lincoln County. may not be fighting for us like they should be, but they could be persuaded to fight if Back in 2011, our Wile E. Congress set up its Sequester cuts of 9 percent to HeadStart (pre- enough of us make noise. own booby trap — the “Budget Control Act.” It school) and special education are helping cre- was a complex gadget also known as the ate the need to slash more than 22 positions News analyst Cokie Roberts may have “sequester,” and it was designed to help catch from those budgets next school year. explained it best a few days ago, when she the roadrunner of deficit reduction. listed off the various groups who have success- And even though school budgets are already fully lobbied Congress to fix their own little Nearly everyone in Congress agreed spending bottoming out, the sequester doesn’t stop corners of the sequester. had to be brought under control, but no one after one year — school funding will be cut was willing to compromise on a solution, so year after year for the next four years if noth- “The loudest voices will be heard and will get they set up the Budget Control Act as a way to ing is done. their funding,” she said. force themselves to take action. The weight of fixing our nation’s federal bud- As parents, educators and the many others If Congress could not come to an agreement get problems should not be falling on the who care about the future of our county, we on reasonable budget controls, the act was set shoulders of Lincoln County’s 4- and 5-year- need to make our voices among the loudest in up to trigger a huge ACME bomb of indis- olds. But that’s what is happening. protesting what’s being done to our educational funding. criminate cuts to things no reasonable person In other states, HeadStart programs have had would cut, including airport flight safety; to be cut entirely thanks to the sequester, and Call up Rogers and senators Mitch McConnell making sure meat is safe to eat; and educa- now tens of thousands of children are going and Rand Paul. Tell them to get rid of their tion for preschoolers and special-needs kids. to be preschool-less. ACME equipment and quit playing the part of Wile E. Coyote or else they’ll be out of a job. The plan was for all sides to unite against If sequester cuts persist long-term, it’s possible these cuts and join forces to actually catch the Lincoln County could meet the same fate. roadrunner of deficit reduction. The worst thing about this is that it is a very Ben Kleppinger can be contacted at But we all know what actually happened — fixable problem. Congress has already fixed [email protected]. the deadline approached, reasonability was some budget cut issues created by the seques-

May/June 2013 15 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors LandLand SurveySurvey

By Bradley A. Martin it will. Neither thinks it is Editor Tom Isbell, the recent president of the indus- worth much for Hickman County Times trial board, said he thought the land was industrial possibili- Centerville, Tennessee “worthless,” though he said a complete study ties. April 1, 2013 of the property has yet to be completed. In such case, should Not quite, says Becki Bates, the current indus- it be in the board’s This was going to be an April Fool’s Day col- trial board president, who is an environmen- assets? umn, and it might turn out to be just that. tal scientist. She said that while the property The happy part of It’s about the fact that the Hickman County has not been discussed during her time on the this story is that the Industrial Development Board’s financial board, she has seen three former landfills 48.30 acres are statements show that it owns 71.05 acres of elsewhere developed into usable property. appraised at Bradley Martin undeveloped land, valued at $187,200. “If an industrial or commercial manufacturer $80,500, and the It’s also about the fact that, in reality, the wanted to buy and develop that property, 8.70 acres are val- actual, saleable acreage is a whole lot closer there would be rounds of soil/groundwater ued at $43,500. That’s $124,000; Assessor of to 13.05 acres, that being at East Hickman testing and they could submit for grants to aid Property Delton Mayberry will tell you that Industrial Park. in the redevelopment,” she says in an e-mail, the state figured the values. No joke. The other 57 of the acres are either answering my query. “They would be required Looks good on paper. And, of course, it’s good inaccessible or filled with landfill trash. to ‘cap’ the soil, which they would most likely money if you can get it. do anyway as part of the development by lay- That’s right, 48.30 acres of this property But paper and money are not really the point ing down a concrete or asphalt pad for their — suitable land with infrastructure access is bonanza are actually home to several years of building/parking lot areas. Hickman County’s finest household trash, the early key to industrial development. piled up under ownership of the town and “So personally, I do not consider that property And that’s where the jokes turn to tears, when then the county. At least part of it is pock- to be dead-weight.” you remember that the Legislative Body fell marked by vents that allow methane gas to OK, how about “Heavier than usual?” (April one vote shy last year of providing 130 acres blow off, lessening the risk that decomposi- Fool’s!) of flat, trashless land for industrial develop- tion will produce an explosive moment. Just down the road from the county’s largest ment in the growing part of the county, at In fact, some of the 48.30 acres are still in use. piece of industrial property is an 8.70-acre East Hickman. Folks travel there daily to dump demolition parcel. It’s behind the Tennessee Department Good thing, commissioners, that we have and other non-household waste into the Class of Transportation’s Hickman County garage, 13.05 acres in Lyles, and those two market- III/IV landfill operated by Hickman County on Rivers Road near the airport. able parcels in Centerville. Solid Waste. The map of the site shows that there is no There’s no good explanation for why the road leading to it. Steve Turner, who preceded Bradley A. Martin can be contacted at industrial board owns land-filled acreage; or Isbell as board president, said his recollection [email protected]. why it hasn’t deeded the parcel over to the is that there is a ditch through this particular board that actually is making use of it. Maybe acreage. Isbell said the same thing last week.

Importance of sports to rural communities from page 14 as a community, under the gleam of the If I were a better sports writer, I might just Winchester, I’d be cheering on the Engineers Friday Night Lights or as they’re crammed make a career out of relishing in the sense of someday. But, I found myself doing just that, like sardines in the gymnasium. Maybe the community that inhabits the arenas of local and gladly. only time you will see your former classmates sports. I’ve never felt so excited about sports in my or distant relatives will be under the scorching Thanks for letting me be a part of the legacy life and I’m looking forward to more sun at a baseball game or perhaps you’ll find these students will leave on their community. moments like the big shot last week as I’m a new friend while seeking shade a soccer It’s my job to capture these special moments. working in Estill County. game. As I report about crime, government and I feel blessed to have been part of the anxiety, meetings, it’s nice to get a break from all the Whitney Leggett can be contacted at the celebration and the rush of the victories negativity. [email protected]. during last week’s tournament. I really never dreamed as I was growing up in

16 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors BeBe cautiouscautious ofof usingusing aa synonymsynonym forfor saidsaid By Douglas Perret Starr or nearly the same meaning in one or more es between syn- Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Journalism senses as another in the same language.” onyms. A person Texas A&M University–College Station What that means is that one of the mean- who wants to write ings of the synonym you chose most proba- and speak clearly Verbs of attribution don’t always mean what bly will change the sentence. and precisely must you think they mean. Here is how to make understand these The main victim of the use of synonyms is differences.” certain that your verbs of attribution are said. In almost every news or feature story, used accurately and without unintended people are cited as having said something. Webster’s explains bias on your part. It’s said, said, said, and who wants to read all of this by add- Accuracy in reporting demands objectivity, all those saids? ing, after defining facts stated without the reporter’s opinion, some words: “− Douglas Perret Starr Be careful; before you type in a different SYN.” and cites a even through inadvertent use of words. It’s a verb, consider this: Said, a four-letter word given; almost everyone in the City Room synonym for the defined word. So, you have that has no hidden meanings, is so innocu- the definition of the word wanted; now you knows the definition of words in general use. ous that readers hardly notice it and do not But chances are that few understand the need its usage. You look up the cited syn- object to it. Moreover, said allows your sen- onym. usage of words, the nuances of difference in tence to focus on what was said rather than usage that cast a different light on the sen- on the way it was said. After the definition of the synonym is tence. “SYN.−,” which begins the Synonymy, a list Reporters and copyeditors should heed this of bold-faced synonyms together with expla- The inadvertent incorrect use of verbs of caution about Synonomy on page xxii of attribution results mainly from reporters nations for the usage of each and the differ- Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th ences among them. changing words, and copyeditors allowing ed., the official dictionary of The Associated that change, to, as some teachers have Press: “It is unwise to substitute one syn- For example: You think that it is fine to use taught, prevent boredom among readers. onym for another automatically or unthink- both answer and respond in a story. After all, What’s wrong with using a synonym? Look ingly. There are small, often subtle differenc- they are synonyms. So, you look up respond. at the first deinition: “a word have the same The first definition is “to say in answer, reply.” That’s kind of confusing, but the definition ends with “−SYN. ANSWER.” ISWNE new member You look up answer. The first definition is “said or written in return to a question, Reed Anfinson is the publisher and editor of the Swift argument, letter, etc.” And the definitions County Monitor-News in Benson, Minnesota. He served as end with “SYN.−” and a list of bold-faced president of the 2,300-member National Newspaper synonyms and explanations for the usage of Association from September 2011 to October 2012. He each. currently is serving his 10th year on the NNA board as Here they are: “answer implies a saying, its immediate past president. writing, acting in return as required by the He served six years as the NNA Region 6 director repre- situation or by courtesy; respond implies an senting newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South appropriate reaction made voluntartily or Dakota and Wisconsin. spontaneously to that which serves as a Anfinson is a partner in Quinco Press, Inc., a central stimulus; reply in its strictest appliction printing plant in Lowry, Minnesota, that prints nearly 30 publications. He is a gradu- refers to an answer that satisfies in detail the ate of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communications. question asked; retort suggests a reply, especially one that is shart or witty provoked by In 1999, Anfinson served as president of the Minnesota Newspaper Association. He a charge or criticism; rejoin implies an currently serves as the chair of the MNA Legislative Committee. He served six years on answer, originally to a reply, now often to an the Minnesota News Council hearing panel and later served as its vice president. objection.” In 2003, he was awarded the MNA Al McIntosh Distinguished Service to Journalism The rule for writing news is simple: Before Award, the highest honor given by the state association. In March 2010, the Minnesota using a synonym for said, look up that verb’s Coalition on Government Information named Anfinson the winner of the 2010 John R. definition and usage, and be prepared to Finnegan Freedom of Information Award. In April 2013, he was named the 23nd recip- support your choice. ient of the Defense of the First Amendment Award by the faculty of the Department of Mass Communications at St. Cloud State University. Douglas Perret Starr may be contacted at [email protected].

May/June 2013 17 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors The lasting legacy of baseball and a mother’s influence By Tim L. Waltner 19 of the 20 years between 1947 and 1966. For Dad, it wasn’t Publisher And because they met each other seven times baseball; it was self Freeman Courier in the fall classic during that period, includ- awareness and edu- Freeman, Suth Dakota ing six times in the first half of that stretch, cation. Even though May 8, 2013 many of us declared our loyalty for either the he never attended Dodgers or the Yankees. It was usually a pas- college — he felt he The release of the movie “42” last month sionate long-term commitment. I still cringe was needed on the immediately transported me to a distinct at the number of Mickey Mantle and Roger farm — he had a memory of my mother, Betty Jane Preheim Maris baseball cards I either traded away or, thirst for knowl- Waltner. worse yet, clipped to my bicycle frame to flap edge. I didn’t fully and chatter against the spokes as a statement appreciate the “42” tells the life story of Jackie Robinson of my loyalty to the Dodgers (and dislike of depth of that aspect Tim L. Waltner who, under the guidance of team executive the Yankees). of his life until I was Branch Rickey, became the first African- I was six when I became a Dodgers fan. It was going through boxes American player to break the baseball color of his papers after his death in late 1992. barrier. Robinson wore number 42 on his blue the 1956 World Series, the sixth time they were playing the Yankees for the title in eight There I discovered literature from the early and white Dodgers uniform during his major 1960s he had ordered from the Fellowship of league career from 1947 to 1956. years. My mom was listening to the game on the radio. I asked her who she was for and Reconciliation, a worldwide, ecumenical orga- It was my mother who introduced me to the she said, “the Dodgers.” nization that seeks to replace violence, war, story of Jackie Robinson — and to baseball. racism and economic injustice with nonvio- That’s all it took. If mom was a Dodger fan, I lence, peace and justice. That was something Oh, I played my share of catch with my decided I’d be one too. father, Dell, but it was Mom who managed to that mattered to him and it helped shape his make time to hit balls into the South Dakota But I was curious and so I asked her why she values and the values he passed on to me. sky so I could improve my outfield skills. She liked the Dodgers. My parents’ influence was much stronger in tossed balls to me so I could improve my hit- I’ve never forgotten her response. shaping my views on peace and justice than ting. Mom grew up with six brothers, which “Because they were the first team to allow a nurturing my athletic abilities. I played likely helped make her the first “tomboy” I Negro to play baseball,” she explained. church league fast pitch softball in my grade ever knew. It wasn’t until I was a bit older “That’s why I’m for the Dodgers.” school and high school years, but I was not that I fully realized just how remarkable her Of course, at the age of six, I didn’t fully particularly good. While I was adequate (at athletic abilities were in that male-dominated best) in the field and on the bases, I never did sports era. understand all the implications of Mom’s answer. But clearly, I knew it was important learn how to hit a high-velocity pitch. But Mom’s influence was more than an ath- because of the way she said it. It was obvious And I never became a huge baseball fan, letic mother encouraging her young son to that it mattered to her. And she then took although I do follow the playoffs and World catch and throw and hit — and participate in that opportunity to explain to me that Series as the season shifts from summer to the family games we played with cousins on because of a man with a funny name, Branch fall. The arrival of the Twins in our region the sprawling grassy area on our rural Rickey, the Dodgers had allowed Jackie when I was 11 made them my American Freeman farm. It also included expanding my Robinson to play baseball when nearly every- League team. And when we lived in awareness of, and interest in, major league one else didn’t want him to because of the Cincinnati in the 1970s, it was pretty difficult baseball. color of his skin. That mattered to her, she not to cheer for the Big Red Machine. But In the 1950s, my exposure to professional said, and it should matter to me. through it all, the Dodgers have continued to baseball was pretty much limited to the World Mom made that conversation about baseball hold a special place in my heart. And it’s all Series on the radio and box scores in the with her six-year-old son a teaching moment because of my mother. Argus Leader; television had not yet entered about so much more. My folks are both gone, but I have no doubt the Waltner household. It is my first recollection of any discussion of that both of them would want to see “42” and For many of us living out on the South prejudice and racism with my parents. It cer- I’m sure they’d enjoy it as much as anyone. Dakota prairie in the pre-Minnesota Twins era tainly was not the last. I wouldn’t call my par- And have no doubt that Mom would still be (they didn’t start playing in Metropolitan ents, registered Republicans at the time, activ- cheering for the Dodgers. Stadium until 1961) that meant being a fan ists, radicals or crusaders. But they were peo- of either the Brooklyn (later the Los Angeles) ple of faith, conviction, principle and integrity. Tim L. Waltner’s mother, Betty Preheim Waltner, Dodgers or the New York Yankees. That helped form their world view. died in 1988 following a courageous 12-year bat- That’s because those two teams dominated For Mom, that influenced her choice of which tle with cancer, one day after her 61st birthday. the World Series when I was growing up; at professional team she would back … and He can be contacted at [email protected]. least one of them played in the World Series explaining that to her young son.

18 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors AA marathonmarathon notnot aa sprintsprint

By David Giffey tion, and I didn’t mention it to a soul, until insisting, in spite of FightingBob.com now. There’s no justification I can name for atrocities, that “we” April 21, 2013 linking the British colonists of 1773 with April don’t allow domes- 15, 2013, tax day. My next reactive thought tic security agencies Lacking the ability to unwind history, peace- was something about a culture of violence to view everyone as ful people in the U.S. faced a chronic moral and militarism fostered by decades of a security risk, to dilemma after bombs killed three and griev- American foreign and domestic policy. That heighten invasive ously injured dozens April 15 during the thought remains. surveillance, to Boston marathon. A day later came reports There’s a risk in discussing the relativity of commit crimes saying, “Officials say two car bombings in violent acts, much less suggesting their against humanity Iraq have killed nine people and wounded source. The suffering and loss of life is tragic, — torture — as was 27…The bombings came a day after a string heart-rending. We risk being insensitive and used after 9/11. David Giffey of deadly attacks across Iraq killed 55 peo- ignorant, displaying our prejudices if we talk “Homeland securi- ple.” too much. But the risk is no excuse for avoid- ty” tactics sound appealing in the shadow of the marathon The violence in Boston is tagged “Marathon ing a difficult issue. Avoidance is the historic problem. bombs, but reining in the motives behind Bombing” in headlines above news stories abusive power at home and around the world which reveal how helpless are the powers of a After the 9/11 atrocities, we heard, “Why do is the only hope for peace. super power, its security agencies, and an they hate us?” asked ad nauseam. They hate elaborate homeland security machine. Not us because we subverted their democracy or To take action against violence, we need to even the costly and ruthless U.S. domestic occupied their country or supported their ene- enter the marathon for the long run. Each of security strategy works 100 percent of the mies or took advantage of their resources. us can become an activist to resist any more time if a zealot or an unbalanced person “We” is the wrong pronoun, some say. “We” misguided Patriot Act suppression of human chooses to follow a violent missionary course. didn’t subvert anyone’s democracy or occupy rights, while we work personally and close to home to dig out the roots of a culture of mili- When an irrationally violent and horrific their country or support their enemies or take advantage of their resources. Maybe you tarism. Refuse to buy para-military camou- event occurs, friends and family members flage clothing and war toys for our children. look to each other for comfort. That might didn’t. But I did. I’m a veteran of the American war in Vietnam. As such, I’m an Don’t let them play war with toy guns. displace some of the new fear and suspicion. Eliminate video “games” symbolizing massa- So might vigorous exercise, meditation, a invader and occupier and former participant in the militaristic culture which allows things cres. In other words, let’s teach our children, walk in the country, taking some action. But grandchildren, friends and neighbors not to fear lingers. To keep balance, to maintain like the following to seem commonplace and acceptable. participate in the U.S. culture of violence and peace of mind, we could surrender to utter militarism overtaking civilian life. cynicism, a force much like the various mad On April 8, in my home county, I attended bombers must have experienced as they the annual Wisconsin Conservation Congress worked to create mayhem. Cynicism is a meeting. I listened to well-intentioned, courte- David Giffey is a freelance journalist and repulsive condition for most people. It’s a ous people say things like, “I was lucky FightingBob.com contributing editor who lives in symptom, not a solution. enough to harvest a wolf this year.” Parse Arena, Wisconsin. He is the author of Long Shadows: Veterans’ Paths to Peace (Atwood Or we jump to conclusions about the perpe- that, and it becomes extreme. At best it’s a thoughtless choice of euphemisms. At worst Publishing), Struggle for Justice: The Migrant trators of acts of violence. The first illogical Farm Worker Labor Movement in Wisconsin, leap in my thoughts after learning about the it’s the arrogant challenge of a true believer using weapons for expression. and The People’s Stories of South Madison. He bombs in Boston was “The Boston Tea Party.” can be contacted at [email protected]. My biases and personal psychology and read- We aren’t able to re-do history, but we are ing of history are written all over that reac- responsible for fixing what’s left. That means

May/June 2013 19 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors IneptInept criminalscriminals areare stillstill atat itit

By Bryan E. Jones paired with a modest amount of looting of for stealing (a lot) of Managing editor language and embezzlement of expression. chicken wings, Versailles Leader-Statesman A South Carolina truck driver took off with $65,000 worth of Versailles, Missouri $19,000 worth of “Thin Mints” Girl Scout them. They each March 21, 2013 cookies. Now, I like Thin Mints well enough, thought the other but this just adds intriguing dimension to the was their wing I delightfully enjoy tales of not-so-bright, saying, “hand in the cookie jar.” man, but the cops were ever vigilant of would-be crooks caught red-handed because In another incident, four men swiped 16,000 they neglected to think the whole thing the thieves’ “fowl” barrels of maple syrup in Quebec, Canada in plot. The poultry through, or who left a forwarding address at 2012. How one hides 16,000 barrels of any- the scene of the crime. Their less-than-intelli- pirates are now thing from the prying eyes of the Mounties is yard birds, cooped gent approach to logistics invariably lands a mystery. The lifted liquid was worth $18 Bryan Jones them in the clink. up for a very long million. This one sure puts a new spin on the time. We have reports of thieves and burglars listed phrase, “sticky fingers.” on the pages of this newspaper in a weekly, In a most brassiere, I mean bizarre, case, Florida thieves stole a truck full of raw beef police busted two Florida men who stole local reminder that criminals are still at it, earlier this month. The meat was worth even in small-town America. $3,000 worth of bras. The bra brigands were $250,000. After a well done “steak-out,” the arrested, most likely, after mounds of evi- There are times, however, when what is even police filleted the bad guys in the interroga- dence were collected. It seems to me the theft more interesting than the inept method tion room and locked ‘em in the cooler. gives an entirely new meaning to the term employed in a particular heist, is the pilfered Canadian — again — crooks took thousands “hold-up.” items themselves. It makes one wonder if, of bees (not sure what goes through the Anyway, before any reader considers a side after the thief gets to his hideout with the minds of these geniuses at the hatching of loot, he asks himself, “Now what?” job as a malefactor, I urge them to, please, their pilfering plans) from a beekeeper. They think it through. I have chosen to remark below about several were worth $100,000. The police, after comb- incidents of misappropriation of goods reporting the area, undoubtedly arrested them in a ed in a recent TIME magazine. The crimes are sting operation. Bryan Jones can be contacted at [email protected]. real. My own observations, however, derive Two Georgia men were arrested in January from the wellspring of an imaginative mind Future Conferences Save the dates...upcoming ISWNE conferences 2013: July 10-14 Green Bay, Wisconsin 2014: June 25-29 Durango, Colorado 2015: June 24-28 Columbia, Missouri

20 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors WeWe believebelieve inin protectingprotecting allall IslandIsland residentsresidents By Missy Layfield that serves to protect them pretty well. If dis- zone in the northern Editor turbing a turtle or shorebird nest resulted in a Gulf from all the fer- Island Sand Paper painful welt, we wouldn’t be talking nearly as tilizer run-off in the Fort Myers Beach, Florida much about how important it is to protect the agricultural heart of May 4, 2013 nests. the country? Not One of the unique charms of our Island is our our best work as While the calendar says we have several more intimate connection with the natural world humans tasked with weeks of spring, Islanders know that summer that surrounds us. The rules to protect that taking care of the has arrived. The turtles and stingrays know environment are the price we pay to live in planet we’ve inherit- it’s summer. We’re hearing cautions about such close proximity to it. Those who don’t ed. how to peacefully co-exist with these sea crea- want to bother with the rules or who think While we can’t take tures. The beach on the south end has been that turtles are given undue deference would care of the entire Missy Layfield marked to protect nesting shorebirds. It must probably be happier living in a sterile subur- planet, we can be be summer. ban or concrete jungle environment far mindful of our own backyard. We are an While some Islanders grow weary of the removed from the natural wonders that sur- Island surrounded by water, water that is warnings and reminders, it’s the cost of living round us here. teeming with life of all shapes and sizes. on a barrier island. These creatures were here We are long past the days when we thought While we don’t understand everything about long before any of us trod these sands. It may that we could do anything to the planet and how human activity impacts wildlife and not seem all that horrible for just one home or it would bounce back as good as new. We water quality, we do know plenty. That knowl- condo to ignore the turtle lighting and beach know better now. There are consequences to edge has led to the turtle rules and the pro- rules, but there’s evidence that turtle nesting human activity. Leaving the global climate tected shorebird nesting areas. in populated areas has decreased over time change question out of the equation, there Here on the Island, we believe in protecting and all those homes and condos with lights are abundant examples of negative lasting all Island residents, including nesting turtles left on do add up. It matters if even one light effects of human activity that we once and shorebirds. is left on or even one nest is disturbed. thought nothing of. Ever been to Los Angeles There’s less reason to worry about the sting- during an air quality alert? And how about Missy Layfield can be contacted at rays. They have their own defensive behavior those Superfund clean-up sites? Or the dead [email protected]. BeasleyBeasley bookbook winswins FrankFrank LutherLuther MottMott AwardAward ISWNE member Maurine H. Beasley has ing into greater historical context.” honor society for won the Frank Luther Mott/Kappa Tau Beasley is professor emerita of journalism at journalism and Alpha Research Award for the best book on the University of Maryland. The book is pub- mass communica- journalism and mass communication based lished by Northwestern University Press. tion. The competi- on original research published in 2012. tion has been held Other finalists included Brooke Kroeger for annually since Women of the Washington Press: Politics, Undercover Reporting: The Truth About Prejudice, and Persistence recounts the jour- 1944. The $1,000 Deception (Northwestern University Press); prize will be pre- nalists’ contributions to journalism and poli- Jonathan M. Ladd for Why Americans Hate tics “but more important, their determina- sented Aug. 9 in the Media: and How It Matters (Princeton Washington, D.C. tion, struggle, craftiness and indefatigable University Press) and Tom Mascaro for Into spirit,” writes Peter J. Gade, University of during the annual the Fray: How NBC’s Washington Documentary convention of the Oklahoma and a finalist judge. Andrew Unit Reinvented the News (Potomac Books). Maurine Beasley Mendelson, Temple University, notes that the Association for book demonstrates “the institutionalized dis- The award is in honor of Mott, Pulitzer Prize Education in crimination against which women reporters winner, educator and long-time leader of Journalism and Mass Communication. had to fight, putting journalism’s glass ceil- Kappa Tau Alpha, the national college

May/June 2013 21 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors TransparencyTransparency neededneeded inin SauconSaucon busbus serviceservice debatedebate Such moves take ‘public’ out of public notice By Paul Bealer The union that represents Saucon Valley limited to industry The Valley Voice school bus drivers indicated it was unaware publications. Such Hellertown, Pennsylvania Saucon had taken this step. Saucon school publications as May 3, 2013 board Solicitor Mark Fitzgerald said last [Pennsylvania month that union representatives were Association of If Saucon Valley School Board moves forward informed of the board action at the start of School Business on its threat — in the name of “cost savings” collective bargaining over a new contract, Officials] is a pre- as a few board members’ reasoning contends three days after the vote to seek proposals. ferred clearing — to shop for bus service, it needs to practice Saucon Valley School District Business Office house for such transparency. took no steps to advertise the proposal request advertisements as all of the outside Human nature says we — bus drivers and dis- in any of the three newspapers of record in the district. transportation pro- Paul Bealer trict taxpayers — want openness and the abil- viders in the state ity to comment on qualified bids for services. According to Saucon Secretary to Business would see the When Saucon Valley School Board in January Manager Judith Riegel, “We advertised for the advertisement.” transportation RFP on our district website, decided to use a threat to outsource busing as Melewsky argues, “Website postings are not part of its negotiating strategy, there was no through a link on the [Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials] web- sufficient. The website posting may be accept- public comment from the board on the issue able but the general public relies on newspa- before a unanimous vote to seek requests for site to PASchoolBids and I e-mailed or mailed the RFP to 10 vendors.” per for such notices, not specialized and rarely proposals. visited websites run by non-local entities. The few audience members that attended the She added, “The way it was explained to me There are many citizens who don’t have the Jan. 7 vote were given no details other than a that it is totally different than a bid so it does means or ability to access online ads. It’s also resolution had been prepared to seek requests not need to be advertised the same way. worth noting that any ads placed by school for proposals on outsourcing bus service. When you send out for bids you are basically districts — online, in newspapers, as well as committing to choose one of the vendors’ bids Little background on such a costly issue made the e-mail to the vendors — are public records — typically the lowest bid — unless they do and must be provided if requested.” it difficult for district residents to question the not meet your specifications. With an RFP it issue. does not necessarily mean any action will be The NewsMedia Association, of which The The school district’s limited bus service taken. It is just a request for information.” Valley Voice is a member newspaper, has lob- request-seeking method kept bus drivers in bied state lawmakers to keep public notices in “Because this is a service, the bid require- newspapers. Public notices are required legal the dark, their union has argued. ments of the school code are not required. Saucon Valley School District has a May 3 advertisements placed in papers by govern- Therefore, a board is not bound to the lowest ment, business and individuals so community deadline to receive bus service proposals. At responsible bidder standard,” Fitzgerald said. the school board’s last meeting, district members know what is going on and have a “Instead, with the RFP process the school chance to participate in a decision. Business Manager David Bonenberger insist- board may select a responding entity based ed they are “not bid openings.” on many factors, not just price.” Calling it costly to meet state requirements on notifying the public through legal advertise- The terms “invitation to bid” and “request for The Valley Voice consulted Pennsylvania proposals” are often used interchangeably. ments, Pennsylvania school districts and other NewsMedia Association attorney Melissa government officials want to remove all pub- But there is a slight difference, according to Melewsky, who said she does not see a distinc- attorneys citing state School Code. lic notices from newspapers. They want to put tion between bids and RFPs in practical terms. the required notices on a government-run Sealed bids are all about pricing. Requests for “There are at least two provisions of the state website only. proposals, which Saucon Valley School Board School Code that require schools to advertise voted to seek on bus service, allows bidders to Such moves takes “public” out of public for bids in a newspaper of general circulation: notice. Saucon Valley School Board owes bus highlight their experience, work method, past when purchasing supplies and for construc- performance and prices through the propos- drivers and taxpayers opportunities to discuss tion contracts. School bus services doesn’t fit bus service outsourcing in public meetings. al. School boards then take the RFP responses either provision squarely as it is not supplies and determine whether a potential bidder or construction,” Melewsky said. will be invited to submit to the potential cus- Paul Bealer can be contacted at As to how the notification process played out, [email protected]. tomer a sealed bid with pricing. Fitzgerald added, “I am not surprised it was

22 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors RuralRural editoreditor recallsrecalls changes,changes, corecore valuesvalues By Al Cross who was horrified that his weekly newspaper leader of the The Rural Blog would print a story with the awful details of Kentucky Press April 25, 2013 the sex-abuse charges against a leading local Association presi- citizen: dent on the state’s Rural editor John Nelson reflected on the “I am going to call them right now and can- first open-records changes in journalism and the unchanging cel my subscription … tell them off and do audit and efforts to mission of community newspapers as he was everything I can to put them out of business. open juvenile inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of But, first I read it all. Oh, please Lord, I don’t courts. Fame at the University of Kentucky this week. know about this. What do I feel? … Suddenly, Others joining the “A community and its newspaper are each it was like a great burden lifted, I was able to Hall of Fame were both plagued and blessed by the human con- really face the truth for the first time. ... Akron Beacon Journal dition, by the shortcomings and successes of Nothing is ever exactly what it seems. Life is sportswriter Marla Al Cross their members. Only when those are revealed not black and white. It has many colors. I Ridenour, Bill can they be overcome or celebrated. That’s already had learned at great cost that having Goodman of part of the newspaper’s mission, and that too much faith and trust in someone can be a Kentucky may be the only way today’s product resem- great mistake… So, with all that said … I Educational bles the one at which I began in the early knew today would not be a good day at your Television, retired ‘70s,” Nelson said. newspaper … I appreciate your intentions … I news director Dan feel so much better about myself and I can Modlin of Western “For the most part, however, we still use the handle the answers that I must give to my Kentucky same words and write about the same topics. family, my children and grandchildren, University’s WKYU- There is just more work and fewer people to friends and political allies … Keep up the FM, and the late do it. One day consumers of news will again good work. You are what newspapers should Ralph W. Gabbard accept that you get what you pay for, but that be about. Facts, with a heart.” of Lexington’s will first require those who hire journalists to Nelson is executive editor of Advocate WKYT-TV and John Nelson accept the same thing. Good journalism is founder of Hazard’s costly in a variety of ways. It often will offend Communications, which owns dailies in Danville and Winchester and weeklies in WYMT-TV, which might not be thought of as friends, alienate acquaintances and anger a community-journalism outlet, but in fact customers. But when it works, you hope it Nicholasville and Stanford, and is a subsid- iary of Schurz Communications. He was edi- has created a greater sense of regional com- makes a difference. Sometimes, you get a hint munity among the topographically isolated that it has, like I did in a letter I received tor and co-owner of a weekly in Somerset after working at a weekly in Irvine, all in and politically fractious communities of many years ago after a particularly costly southeastern Kentucky. stor y.” Kentucky. His induction citation called him “a leader for openness in government and quali- Nelson then read from a letter from a reader ty in journalism” and noted his work as a Al Cross can be contacted at [email protected]. “Like” ISWNE Facebook page • Receive the latest updates about the annual conference • Get a preview of items coming out in the newsletter • Engage in discussions with your colleagues • Post and view photos Here’s how to join: 1. Become a member of Facebook (www.facebook.com) 2. In the search box in the upper right-hand corner, type 2. International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors 3. Click on the “Like” button.

May/June 2013 23 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors DevelopmentDevelopment byby traintrain oror tankerstankers fullfull ofof ‘it’‘it’ By Jessica Giard Chamberlain, economic development looks the “Oacoma Editor like a 875-mile buried crude oil pipeline from aroma” if the wind Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun Alberta, Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma. It is just right from the Chamberlain, South Dakota brings construction jobs and a few dozen per- southeast), which March 20, 2013 manent jobs along the line. could easily be over- The TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline has whelmed by a Economic development can come in many not been approved yet by President Obama, weekly unloading. forms. though certain Congressional representatives, With 300 people at It can come by train, like we’ve seen with the particularly Republicans, are pushing for camp using a con- rehabilitation on the railroad between quick action. The pipeline requires presiden- servative 80-plus Chamberlain and Mitchell. tial approval since it crosses the border. gallons per day, Maybe sometime this summer. that’s 25,000 gal- Jessica Giard The investment into the track spurred further lons per day and investment in the form of the Liberty Grain If approved, the pipeline will employ construction workers and crews who will need a 750,000 gallons per month for seven months shuttle facility, which ships grain to the west in the first year. In that first year, the city of coast and on to the growing populations of place to sleep. One such camp is planned near Colome, South Dakota. Chamberlain could handle 5,250,000 gallons the Pacific Rim. of TransCanada’s camp wastewater. In the That intersection five miles east of Kimball, Chamberlain’s piece of the TransCanada pie second and final year, the numbers would tucked between the railroad, Interstate 90 could look and smell like, um, well, excre- drop by half. ment. and Highway 45, will see more development That’s a lot of, um, stuff. through the Iron Horse Development group, It was hard to miss the potential for toilet including Wheat Growers later this year. humor at the Chamberlain city commission And, this is how our city could benefit from meeting on Monday night when City the building of an international pipeline to Or, maybe economic development looks like haul Canadian tar sands crude oil to the Gulf milk and cheese? Engineer Greg Powell told commissioners that TransCanada has asked Chamberlain if the of Mexico. All along, there’s been talk of thou- Toby Morris of Richland Financial and a part- city wastewater treatment facility could han- sands and thousands of jobs, yet here’s how ner with Chuck Jepson, the collaborator dle the sewage from the planned crew camp. Chamberlain’s coffers could benefit. behind the Liberty Grain project, believes the TransCanada would have to haul the waste- South Dakota rancher and writer Linda area around Kimball is a prime location for water to Chamberlain for the two years the Hasselstroms writes an entire chapter on the dairy operations. camp would operate, and the city would get a topic of sewage in her book No Place Like In a Kimball chamber of commerce meeting little pocket change in the process. The exact Home. She writes about how South Dakota on Wednesday, March 13, he spoke of a amount would depend, of course, on how full once struck a deal for incinerated sewage to “golden triangle,” so to speak, in central of “it” the tankers are. be trucked from Minnesota and disposed in South Dakota with access to transportation, The camp near Colome would accommodate South Dakota. In her estimation, it was a ter- wide open spaces, accommodating govern- about 300 people, doubling the size of the rible deal. But, the lesson we learn here is: ment officials and cheese-making factories in nearby town. everyone poops and someone has to deal eastern South Dakota, like Bel Brands who with it. recently opened in Brookings. Commissioners noted that no other area communities operate mechanical wastewater The cheese makers need more milk produced treatment plants like Chamberlain. Our town Jessica Giard can be contacted at in South Dakota, and he thinks we can do is the closest community with facilities able to [email protected]. that here. handle their, um, stuff. Many communities But, a bit further west of us here in use lagoon ponds, including Oacoma (hence

24 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors LookLook beyondbeyond thethe immediateimmediate news,news, andand staystay relevantrelevant By Jim Pumarlo News: We’re all pretty adept at reporting the at your newsroom second element – “news” – by covering the 5 meetings to both Many newspapers do a great job of looking in Ws and one H: Who is it about? What hap- review coverage the rearview mirror, and that used to be ade- pened? When did it take place? Where did it from the previous quate for inviting readers into their pages. take place? Why did it happen? How did it couple of weeks and The old formula doesn’t work anymore if happen? stories on the hori- community newspapers are to remain rele- Impact: We report that a city council raises zon to brainstorm vant. The changing media landscape, cou- sewer rates by 5 percent, but do we clearly ideas for broaden- pled with the demands on readers’ time, explain the impact? What will be the dollar ing coverage. Do so require that newsrooms pay just as much increase in monthly utility bills for homeown- regularly, and the attention looking ahead and around as to ers, Main Street businesses and small and practice will become looking back. large manufacturers? second nature for Jim Pumarlo reporters. Let me explain. Context: The basketball team, looking to The strongest coverage is two-pronged, espe- Newsrooms pride themselves as providing a repeat as conference champions, loses a heartbreaker midway through the season cially in public affairs reporting — solid living history of their communities, and the advances to inform readers and ensure robust examples are numerous. Meeting reports of that drops it out of first place. Does the story paint the complete picture? What opponents community discussion and participation, and government bodies cover almost every agen- follow-up reports that provide meaningful da item from the first to last. Sports stories are left on the schedule and what are their records? Are the games home or away? A sim- interpretation of what happened. Rest provide play-by-play chronology from start to assured, this approach requires hard work — finish. A national manufacturer announces it ple graphic accompanying the story provides an immediate glimpse. but remember, everyone benefits. Citizens will will locate a major facility in your community; be more aware of the importance of upcom- the CEO’s comments at a press conference are Human dimension: News of a manufactur- ing events, and newspapers will increase their published almost verbatim. ing facility, and a couple of hundred jobs, is a relevancy in readers’ everyday lives. Don’t misunderstand. These stories are impor- shot in the arm for a community with high tant and necessary, but they should be con- unemployment. The announcement provides opportunities for several stories from detailing Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training sidered only one element of the overall cover- on community newsroom success strategies. He is age. Bottom line, it’s important to examine all the types of jobs that will be available to inter- viewing a family that has struggled in recent author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to news from a variety of perspectives if you Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: want to deliver substantive reports. years. The announcement could have negative impact, too, if landing the facility requires A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and Quiz your peers and you’re likely to come relocating homes and/or businesses to make “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to across a variety of formulas for reporting the room for the facility. Reporting on Sensitive Issues in Small-Town news. Here’s one promoted by Gannett news- Newspapers.” He can be reached at www.pumar- papers: Each story should pass the INCH test It’s relatively easy to identify the “INCH” in lo.com and welcomes comments and questions at – Impact, news, context, human dimension. many stories. Other stories may prove a chal- [email protected]. lenge. In that regard, why not set aside time For example: ISWNE Foundation Contributors since Dec. 1, 2012 Stringer ($10 to $99) Copy editor ($200 to $299) Don Corrigan Sandy and Robert Horowitz Albert Scardino Jane Steinmetz Phoebe Baker Sue and David Gordon Ross Connelly Ellen Albanese Editorial page editor ($300 to $399) Mo Mehlsak Sandra George Gary and Helen Sosniecki Johnny O’Hanlon Carter and Sarah Newton Managing editor ($400 to $499) Cub reporter ($100 to $199) Donald and Deborah Brod Clyde Wills Bill and Jan Haupt Mary and Tim Waltner Editor in chief ($500 to $999) Marcia Martinek Robert E. Trapp Publisher ($1,000) Robert B. Trapp Vickie Canfield Peters Burt and Ursula Freireich Jeanne Pease Steve and Barbara Andrist Al Cross Guy and Marcia Wood Larry Atkinson Total raised: $4,160

May/June 2013 25 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors TheThe fallacyfallacy ofof fearfear

By Ross Connelly of the Israeli team were killed, to the feel- take over the Editor and publisher ings generated in Oklahoma City in 1995 resolve of the city’s The Hardwick Gazette when the deranged but intent Timothy residents nor the Hardwick, Vermont McVeigh bombed the Alfred P. Murrah resolve of so many April 17, 2013 Federal Building, to the feelings felt when citizens of the the bomb went off in the park in Atlanta, country, just as the The young woman climbed up the ladder, to Ga., during the 1996 Olympics. The feelings resolve of people in a top shelf lined with books, a good 10 feet of fear were certainly felt by people in New other countries above the floor. She was crying quietly to York and around the country on Sept. 11, who have been vic- herself as she worked, having just heard the 2001, by citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan in timized though the loud blasts of several bombs going off. The the years since, and by people in Boston years by other scene was in a bookstore in Belfast, Monday when two bombs tore through the bombs was not Ross Connelly Northern Ireland, in the early 1970s. Close crowd of spectators and runners racing destroyed. to a dozen bombs were detonated in the toward the finish line of the Boston The young woman in Belfast had the resolve downtown area of the city that long-ago Marathon. to continue working, even when crying in day, part of the on-going battle between Fear can grip a person, a group of people, a fear while the violence raged outside the British troops and Irish resisters to the quasi- city and a nation. Fear can become a master bookstore. Athletes from Israel and so many English rule in the province. As the blasts that requires allegiance. Fear can become a other countries around the world, continued echoed through the streets and off build- taskmaster, that forces people to turn away to compete in the Olympics and in other ings, a chill crept over a man who had from each other, to hide, to look over their venues, refusing to let the horror of Munich stopped into the store to look for some shoulders. Fear can breed mistrust, in oth- or Atlanta stop them. The horror of books. He was struck by the young woman’s ers, and in oneself. Fear can subvert a life, Oklahoma City and New York City slowed resolve to continue working but was also lives and a way of life far beyond the imme- but did not stop and lock away this coun- very conscious of her reaction to the vio- diacy of a bomb’s blast. Such is probably the try’s people’s belief in who we are. Nor will lence taking place not too far beyond where hope of the person or group that sets off a the shock of what happened this week in he stood and she worked. The chill he felt bomb. What they underestimate, however, Boston. turned to fear as another bomb was heard. is the resolve of people and the strength of Humans are social creatures who find He realized, if for no other reason than com- people, individually and collectively. Many strength in each other as they come togeth- mon sense, he needed to stay in the book- people succumb to fear but many more con- er to confront the fear engendered by tragic store for several hours or find a bus to take front fear and move through, beyond and events. The tragedy of Monday’s bombings him back to his friend’s house, a house that over it. That is a lesson found throughout cannot be undervalued. The strength of offered a safe harbor from the violence and history. community released by the perpetrators of rising feelings of fear. Reading news reports and listening to the that tragedy, and all such tragedies, is The feelings were probably similar to those voices of people from Boston and elsewhere always underestimated. felt by many when the 16th Street Baptist since Monday afternoon gives indication the Church was bombed in Birmingham, Ala., horror of the Marathon bombs is reason to Ross Connelly can be contacted at in 1963, by those who attended the mourn. But those reports also give strength [email protected]. Olympics in Munich in 1972 when members to the truth that the bombs’ horror will not

26 May/June 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors DropoutDropout billbill signedsigned intointo lawlaw isis oneone wewe shouldshould allall agreeagree isis progressiveprogressive By Whitney Leggett sister liked math and science and now she’s But, I wasn’t New editor going into the medical field. I was interested allowed. And, I’m Citizen Voice & Times in writing and, well, you know where I am glad. Irvine, Kentucky now. High school taught March 21, 2013 I’m sure my mom was excited to find out that me that hard work Gov. Steve Beshear signed into law House Bill yields results and I remember thinking it would never come, but 97. This bill give individual school districts the now that I’ve been when I finally graduated high school, it was right to raise the legal dropout age from 16 to out for five years, I one of the proudest moments of my life. 18. wish a lot of times I I guess at 17, it was THE proudest moment of The bill also states that once 55 percent of the could go back. my life. These days I have my college gradua- state’s school districts have changed the drop- The kids who are tion and other accomplishments to add to the out age to 18, the law will become mandatory allowed to drop out Whitney Leggett list. statewide. when they’re just 16 Each of these accomplishments, though, First Lady Jane Beshear had a lot to do with aren’t learning these lesssons. They aren’t would have been impossible without that pushing the bill to become law. The bill has made to finish what they started and they’re high school diploma. Now that I look back, I actually been brought up in the last five ses- essentially being told it’s OK to quit when couldn’t have been accepted to Eastern sions of the general assembly. Business things get hard. Or, they’re being told, Kentucky University without that diploma (or Lexington reported that the bill passed each “school just isn’t for them.” at least a GED). I couldn’t have been selected time through the House of Representatives I don’t believe that’s the case for anyone. for my internship without it and I certainly but failed in the Senate. Completing high school is something that is wouldn’t have graduated college and landed Business Lexington also reported “by 2018, not only personally rewarding but also fiscally my dream job without a high school educa- fewer than 10 percent of Kentucky employers rewarding. Like the First Lady remarked, tion. will accept job applicants who lack a high eventually it will be almost impossible for a I was lucky to have parents who really school diploma.” person without a high school diploma to find stressed the value of an education to my sib- employment. Then, these individuals will Mrs. Beshear hit the nail right on the head in drain our resources, like welfare, even more. lings and me. My mother didn’t get to finish her comments about the bill. high school but she later went on and earned There are a generation of men and women her GED. She always told us she wished her “In today’s world, you can’t get a job without who were able to find good, well-paying jobs parents had never let her drop out of school at least a high school diploma,” she said. without a high school education. These indi- when she was 16. “The military will not accept you without a viduals were not forced to live off the system. high school diploma. Kids who don’t gradu- So to make sure her own children would never But, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for ate from high school are the people that we this to happen anymore. have those same feelings, she never even let find many times homeless. They absorb most us entertain the idea of dropping out of of the social services. They’re most often less By raising the dropout age to 18, most stu- school. healthy and often they end up in our prisons dents will be in their senior year before they She understood that each of her children had and jails.” will be able to dropout. I hope that most will a different struggle. For my brother, school see that light at the end of the tunnel and I don’t think this is the case simply because push through the last year of high school. just wasn’t his strong point. He certainly these kids are missing out on an education. I wasn’t unintelligent, he just didn’t thrive in think it’s because they are missing out on This bill also makes it legal for only adults to the structured school setting the way that my other valuable lessons learned while in high decide whether they will finish school or not. little sister and I did. He was better with his school. In my opinion, a 16-year-old shouldn’t be hands and in real-world learning arenas. But, allowed to make such a huge decision and he still wasn’t allowed to drop out. If he had High school is a time to learn about social any parent that signs is setting their child up been, he most likely wouldn’t have the spec- graces and the value of friendship. It’s a time for failure. tacular and high-paying job he does today. to learn about respect for authority and about teamwork. It’s also a time when you learn Beshear said signing this bill into law was one You see, my parents made sure that while we that you don’t just give up when things get of the most satisfying things he’s done as gov- were in school, we were gathering life skills, hard. ernor. that we were trying new things and that we I know there were plenty of times I wished I I hope our school district will decide to were learning about the person we wanted to increase the dropout age locally. become as much as we were learning how to could just throw my math book out the win- do calculus and write a research paper. My dow and drop the class. I also wished I could brother became interested in welding and is give up on my English essays and just stop Whitney Leggett can be contacted at now a foreman for a company in Phoenix. My having to go to the miserable P.E. class where [email protected]. all we learned was how to play badminton.

May/June 2013 27

Road

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64801-1595 @mssu.edu Al Cross Paul MacNeill Paul c Newman MO 625-9736 659-4445 E. - FIRST CLASS Dr. Chad Stebbins Dr. Director & ISWNE Executive Editor Studies of International Institute Director, the Institute ofProduced by International Studies Missouri Southern State University 3950 Joplin, (417) (417) stebbins-

International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Institute of International Studies Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO 64801-1595 2:15-3:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13: Building on community 13: Building on Sept. Friday, 2:15-3:15 p.m. community with connect your to strengths newspaper • Rural “TheRedefined:Conference, Georgetown of Community Power the Collective Leveraging Atlantic — Paul Canada” Rural Rethink to Newspapers Prince Montague, Limited, Island Press publisher, MacNeill, MacLauchlan, president and H. Wade Island, Edward Island. of Prince Edward University emeritus, • “Job Satisfaction at Community Newspapers: Perceptions State Lucht, Iowa — Tracy Among Women” and Attitudes University. gen a new into 13: Tapping Sept. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, community connect with of journalists your to eration • Journalism Collaborative “Pop-Up with Newsroom: the State California — Melissa Wall, Millennial Generation” Northridge. University, • Students “Extensionthe Journalism: Real Teaching World − a Small Town” to of Journalism Type and Bringing a New and Journalism Rural for Institute director, Al Cross, of Kentucky. Issues, University Community ISWNE - - - the

, the society’s quarterly journal, countries., the more in still society’s quarterly . ISWNE headquarters were at Northern Illinois University at Dekalb from from at Dekalb . ISWNE at Northern were headquarters University Illinois . Independent bout Grassroots Editor Grassroots Al Cross (Colo.) and A Littleton Littleton

Paul MacNeill MacNeill Paul

ISWNE members in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Zealand, and New Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Canada, the United States, ISWNE membersthe in United subscribers are There to 417-625-9736. Chad Stebbins to upon request formats in alternative This publication will be made available in Joplin became the in 1999. headquarters in Joplin and news writing of editorial standards improve to press in the weekly ISWNE’s help those purpose involved is to purpose holding seeks by fulfill The society its to voices. independent editorial strong, encourage reporting and to are exchanges. There international and encouraging issuing publications, awards, presenting annual conferences, The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) was founded in 1955 at Southern Illinois University in 1955 at Southern (ISWNE) founded Illinois University Editors was Newspaper of Weekly Society The International then R. Waring, and Houstoun Department Long, then at Carbondale, of Journalism chair of SIU’s Howard (SIU) by of the editor University 1999. Missouri Southern 1992 to from State in Brookings University State 1992, at South Dakota 1976 to Two ISWNE members to present members ISWNE Phoenix in papers Two • “Shared Views: • Social “Shared Community Ties Views: Capital, and Arizona Thornton, State — Leslie-Jean Instagram” University. • “The EMT of Your Multimedia: to Revive How of University Finneman, — Teri Future” Newspaper’s Missouri. bers 13: Using social Sept. Friday, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. community connect with your media to media and new “It’s interesting to see the variety of research and case stud and case of research see the variety to “It’s interesting at the annual event.” ies presented including ISWNE of presenters, is a list mem The following “The symposium is a good opportunity for newspaper edi newspaper “The for is a good opportunity symposium share and publishersto and journalismtors educators newspapers,” community to relevant ideas and research said. Center, of the Huck Boyd director Gloria Freeland, Foundation and the NNA, have been selected. They will be They been selected. and theFoundation NNA, have in Phoenix 127th convention annual at NNA’s presented 12-15. Sept. Papers for the 19th for annual “NewspapersPapers and Community- the by Huck co-sponsored Boyd Building Symposium,” State Media at Kansas Community for Center National Association the Newspaper National University, Two ISWNE members to present members ISWNE Phoenix in papers Two