Small-Town Newspapers

Two weeks ago I wrote in this speace about the importance of being involved, and mentioned how this newspaper can help persons become involved.

I keep thinking about it, and reading other papers that reiterate what I’m saying, and want very much to get my message out. People do still read the newspaper, and much of what you find in the newspaper you will not find anywhere else.

I feel like we do a good job of non-biased reporting on many public entities, including the Monticello City Council, Jasper County Commission, Jasper County Board of Education, and lots more. Lately, we’ve added reporting on the new Board of Elections and Registration.

We routinely report on crime and punishment (the arrest booking and subsequent court dates), and many other entities we cover as best we can when we feel it is in our readers’ interest.

I’ve long said if you pay taxes, you should pay attention to your local newspaper,. Read all the notices, even the legal ones. Some people in Morgan County say they were blind-sided when Rivian decided to come there. But, I suspect there were numerous public notices run in the paper as well as posted at the peoperty before any rezoning went through.

Sometimes it’s too late to get involved, but the sooner the better if you want to be abreast of what’s happening.

We try to give all this information which makes our citizens informed and aware. And, we are funded by your subscriptions, and mostly by advertising revenue. Sometimes we have to struggle to get the advertising revenue, cause, heck…Facebook is free. I suggest you get what you pay for sometimes, too.

I realize the best advertising is word of mouth, but how do you get that person who is going to say good things about you to come in the door. The newspaper can introduce you to the world.

And, I know businesses here sometimes struggle…we all do… but sometimes I wonder how anyone makes it. Having a small business in a small town means everyone asks you for donations. Then, just sometimes, they shop somewhere they perceive to be cheaper. You know how it goes…get the local retailer to support your cause, then go spend your money at Wal-Mart. No wonder we struggle.

But, I digress. It’s hard for little, local newspapers these days, although we may have it better than our larger counterparts. But, we are competing with information overload, and sometimes those who don’t read us don’t know what they’re missing out on.

I’m banking on most of those who do read us being willing to commit a little more money to the cause henceforth. Because of postal increases, tariffs, and inflation, we need to increase the price of the newspaper. It’s still a bargain at $1 per copy, and that’s not changing. But if you subscribe, the cost is going up a little. Starting in May, an in-county subscription will be $40 per year (that’s still a $52 value for $40), and an out-of -county subscription will go up to $45 (still a bargain…home delivery for less than purchase price).

If you don’t want to pay the higher price, renew in April for the current price—$35 in county, and $40 out of county.

We’re sorry we have to do this, but hope it will be enough to be able to keep bringing the news to you. And, please, consider advertising…it really works!