Frankly speaking

I know there are those who believe that the death of the newspaper would have no impact on their town. And they would be wrong.

Those who believe that do not realize that the newspaper is the compass, thermometer and thermostat of the community. The importance of a newspaper to a town is more than what meets the eye. Next to the school, the newspaper is a major cog in the wheel of the region.

Do newspapers play a part in the region’s development? You bet they do. When people think of their newspaper, they generally just think about what is in it on a daily or weekly basis. What many do not realize is that a town without a newspaper, especially one that loses their paper, is sure to decline.

Ed Mabry, project/program specialist and vice chancellor for economic development for the University of Arkansas, has traveled the world helping companies and towns improve economic development. He said on a visit to Corning that when industry and businesses look into a town they look to see if they have a newspaper. They check out a community as well as the tax base, educational opportunities, churches etc.

The newspaper is the window into a community. A quick read of the front page of a paper tells of any progress or issues. Listservs across the state pick up on certain words that place articles into the groups of people that have power to impact a community. If a town doesn’t have a newspaper, it’s viewed as a weakness in the eyes of those industries looking for cities to form or move a business.

And then there is what a community newspaper does for its region. It illuminates and clarifies community values to its readers. Newspapers do more than impart information. They create ties to the town, participation and involvement in it and a sense of identification for its regular readers. In other words, it’s the heartbeat of a community.

Take a look at the front page of your paper this week and check out those ties to the city or town. In the Clay County Courier there’s an article about the Chamber and the guest speaker discussed a historical book about Clay County. This piece creates ties to our town and county. It reminds people of who they are, their identification.

There’s an article about the city council and a zoning issue. This article encourages participation in local government and encourages citizens to get involved through a public meeting on Oct. 20. The same goes for an article about the upcoming candidate forum hosted by the newspaper that is trying to bring residents face-to-face with the candidates.

There’s another article about how our city through the community center cares about our senior citizen population by offering free use of amenities there and an article about a local organization and a Shop with a Hero event for families in need so their children will have presents at Christmas while shopping with law enforcement officers. Those articles speak volumes about what our people believe is important. It’s a crystal-clear look into what Corning values to any business investor. It draws a picture of a place new residents might want to live.

There are many things to consider like what would happen to the transparency of local government if the local paper no longer existed? Where would residents read the legals? Or the public notices and information about zoning, taxes and education?

The inception of Cherry-Road Media began because CEO Jeremy Gulban felt compelled to save local journalism. It’s a noble cause. By Christmas the company is expected to have purchased somewhere around 85 newspapers. It’s been a fast and furious ride for the company. In every town that Gulban has visited after purchasing a newspaper he has been greeted by readers, local government officials and citizens who have thanked him for his efforts. They have told him they appreciated what he has done for their communities, our town included. It’s no small thing to have a company invest in your town, because that’s exactly what purchasing a newspaper is, an investment in a town.

I’m going to speak frankly now, as I feel I’m among friends. A newspaper is many things to many people. It’s the power of the local journalism that matters to me. Newspapers need subscribers and advertisers to support it. Those are what pay the bills and keep it afloat.

My dear friends, if you value the newspaper, please support it. Every newspaper usually has a few loyal businesses that answer the call when it comes. If you’re a business, please consider advertising in your town’s newspaper. If you don’t subscribe to your local newspaper, please do. Newspapers are long and faithful friends serving your community, some throughout many generations. I think that merits some loyalty, frankly speaking.

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Pam Lowe is the editor of the Clay County Courier. She may be contacted at pamlowe@claycountycourier. com.