The day started out with
breakfast at Cracker Barrel with friends. After an egg and tomato sandwich
on sourdough bread with a side of hash brown casserole, I headed to
the office, to my Macintosh computer, knowing the task ahead of me
was massive: finishing the inaugural issue of the Gazette.
Most of you probably have no idea what it takes
to put a publication together, especially when you're trying to make
it affordable (read: do-it-yourself). I won't bore you with the details
of that, but I do want you to consider some things you may care about,
where this paper is concerned.
First, if you have no sense of humor, let me
apologize now. I like my news with a bit of flavor, humor, and an attractive
look. The Orlando Sentinel is one of my favorite newspapers,
one I find myself grinning at as I flip through its pages. If you've
never read it, it is that rare sort of news publication (or at least
it used to be when I read it regularly) that gives you the news in
a pleasant-looking (even though the subject matter may not be so pleasant),
easy-to-read format. It's layout has real life in it, and the writers,
especially the columnists, are a pleasure to gain from.
The Sentinel manages to achieve a pleasing
tone while not skimping on the truth: a Bill Cosby TV dad kind of newspaper.
At least, that's my impression of them from a few years back.
I want the Gazette to offer you that pleasing
feel, in its own modest way: To be fun and readable. I want it to be
something you'll turn to, both to tell your stories and to read others'
tales. This part is up to you. I can't promise we'll print everything,
as space is always limited, but we'll endeavor to get everything we
can into every issue of the Gazette.
There's no question in my mind that this paper
is dependent on you, our readers. If you have no use for local news,
I want to find a way for you to discover a use for it. If we don't
grab you, we'll surely perish, as two papers had before us, for their
own reasons.
Some of you are advertisers or potential advertisers.
That's half of the business of this paper: Attaining and keeping advertisers.
All of you are part of a market that our advertisers want to reach.
If they, or we, don't attract you, we will surely perish for lack of
money. We want to keep the paper free to residents, and as lively as
this first issue is. Wouldn't you like to see that? There's many things
we can do to achieve this, but it also depends on our readership.
If you drop our name when shopping at an advertised
store or using an advertiser's services, I, personally, wouldn't mind. "I
read about you in the Gazette," you could say. Or "I
heard about you in the Gazette." There's no need to be
grammatically correct, saying "heard" instead of "read" is
fine. They'll understand you.
Just a suggestion.
If you, as a reader, look through this first
issue and see nothing that compels you to read further, we're in trouble.
Yes, we'll surely perish. But if you have nothing constructive to offer
us for consideration for future issues, we can do nothing about that.
I might as well call this Jon's Gazette. We won't be much of
a community paper if we don't have your support and interest.
We'd lose. You'd lose. Game over.
Is Goodlettsville ready for a community paper?
You need to tell me. I'm a bit of an idealist: I think Goodlettsville
needs and deserves a paper, and one as nice as this one. I've seen
evidence that I'm not alone.
There's a clear desire for a community paper
in this city. But I haven't heard from 12,500 residents yet (not including
everyone in surrounding towns who we hope to reach, ultimately). It's
up to the community to make this their paper. We welcome you to fill
us in, so we may include "all the news that fits," as Rolling
Stone puts it.
I know, ultimately, it's the fate of many a
newspaper, and maybe I'm getting a little too personal, but we want
to avoid becoming a semi-monthly lining for your cat box, bird cage
or trash can, or a target for the oil leak from your 1973 Impala. We
want you to look at us not as just a community paper, but your personal
newspaper.
We want you to see some reflection of yourself
in our pages. If you don't, well, you knowÉ
Before the paper makes it to the trash can or
some other undesirable place, look it over. See who's advertising.
See what we're covering in the different sections, and what we're not.
If you like something, tell your friends and neighbors. Tell your parents.
Tell your kids. Mail one to your Aunt Mabel in Minnesota, who always
rambles about how she misses middle Tennessee.
If you love us, let us know. If we lack something,
tell us. (We have one phone line right now, but we also accept e-mail
and mail. You'll find all that info in the staff box area to the left.)
We're your community paper. That means a lot
when you read between the lines. It means we are a vessel for you to
let the world know what you're up to, interested in, and what opinions
you hold (by name or anonymously). I've filled the editorial page this
week. Our April 29 issue (the issue's deadline is April 22) will be
here faster than you can say, "Oh darn. I meant to write a letter
to the editor." So just write the thing. It doesn't have to be
a masterpiece. It shouldn't be that long -- 250 words at most. And
make it as focused as possible. One subject, one letter. That's a good
rule. If you can't stick to that, write two.
What irks you? What makes you grin? What is one
thing that you've always wondered about?
I wonder how Goodlettsville manages a community
that's in two counties. Don't you? I mean, what happens as far as schooling,
taxes, property zoning? Doesn't it create some unusual problems? I
doubt I'm alone in not knowing. I hope I'm not alone in being a little
curious about it. One thing I've learned as a writer: One question
leads to another. Things tend to get more interesting, not less so,
if you're curious.
What do you want to see in your paper? You may
reply in the form of a question, or an answer.
I've got to get back to finishing the rest of
this newspaper, so I'd better stop here. If you'd like to send news,
a letter, a photo, or inquire about advertising, I look forward to
hearing from you. We all do. Allow me to thank you ahead of time. After
all, if we don't hear from you, we will, most assuredly, become fish
wrap. Welcome to the Gazette. Your personal newspaper. Help
us avoid your using this to merely wrap your perishables.
--JRO