So, the question is, why is the Jefferson paper finally moving? Is Rick admitting that the paper was an inconvenient size? Is he admitting that the photos previously published were of poor quality? Is this the first step in the local paper's demise?
The presses at the Bee and Herald were obsolete 30 years ago. Nobody was going to pay for upgrades. In many ways, this was a long time coming. Perhaps we can now look forward to a Jefferson Bee and Herald web site??
Not surprising. Looking for ways to have a "local" paper without investing major cash.
ReplyDeleteIf there's still a local office for publisher's office, subscription renewals and ad placements, etc, it doesn't bother me.
How many local jobs are lost by this move? That bothers me more than the actual printing operations being moved to another county.
I just picked up a copy of their new colorful Bee, printed 100 miles away in Iowa Falls. Color on the first issue, August 17, is limited to the first & last of the eight page edition. The Fareway insert was in color as usual. The Heading used a colorful "Horn of Plenty" and a yellow/black BEE. There were five color photos on page one, an ad for TORO in color on the back, but B&W on all other pages. Will have to wait until the Herald edition to see if they make the same change. It was not announced they would do so. While a Bee-Herald internet site would be a step into the 21st century, I doubt that we will see that anytime soon. They could easily advertise an e-mail address where stories could be submitted, which would be an improvement.
ReplyDeleteThe Jefferson newspaper moves to the same sullen beat as the community, as always. This turn of events should surprise no one. Official and funeral notices, ad copy and other newsworthy items will be forwarded to Iowa Falls via telegraph and Greyhound Bus service.
ReplyDeleteRick Morain will play "As Time Goes By" insanely in the attic. Other tunes by request only.
Instead of worrying about the A&W, someone should suck it up and start a local tabloid with an actual reporter or two. This could be surprisingly popular.
Used presses may be available.
Never assume anything. The Jefferson Bee announced full-color capability and page size will be narrower therefore easier to handle for the readers. However, the Jefferson Herald did not announce that they would change and print their newspaper in Iowa Falls. The issue dated Thursday August 19, 2010 is the same as always with fuzzy photos and wide format they have always used. At this time the ancient Goss press continues to print.
ReplyDeleteSo, a brief recap...
ReplyDeleteThe good news is Rick Morain is a Harvard graduate with many skills and talents. Jefferson's newspaper has a heartbeat, its' press has a pulse, and the Bee looks better than it ever has.
"Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." Plato
Now for the bad news. Rick Morain is a Harvard grad. The high quality photo imagery in the Herald that Greene County residents have become so hardened to will continue as long as the B&H presses remain operational.
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on far too long." Ogden Nash
Braxton - Better the Goss than the Heidelberg.
ReplyDeleteThe inbreeding that has occurred during vacations at Table Rock and Lake of the Ozarks has led to shorter and more arthritic forearms. This has been documented by my research that began at Spring Lake, Lake Panorama, and Saylorville Reservoir before studies in Missouri and ongoing examinations of boaters and tractor owners in Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteThe new size will indeed be easier to handle for these "readers".
I'd have to agree with Braxton, having email addresses would be great. (However, someone at the Bee would be required to put down the stone and chisel and upgrade to a pc.) Local citizen reporters could certainly submit articles and photos. Other than the local token check handovers, and a photo of who got a new job, the B&H has no real news articles or photography. Too bad they didnt switch the printing to Carroll, for those folks have a town double in size and ten times the news reported, in color to boot. Online? I don't forsee that happening for at least another 30 years. Lets not expect too much all at once, color is a start.
ReplyDeleteI won't quote Plato or Ogden Nash, but this was bound to happen. Probably good business on Morain's part. Gotta good deal on print and ad $. Sit at home. Can't blame him for that.
ReplyDeleteThe new colors are nice. The masthead has changed, too. I think everyone (Rick Morain included) knows that these are improvements he is unwilling or unable to make. Rick is probably ready to retire, and if he can farm the operation out to some one else, we just might be able to have a local paper for a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteSort of a related note...why not have Paton area, Rippey area, etc reporters on JIN?
ReplyDelete@Rich - What, exactly, would you like them to report?
ReplyDeleteI would not agree that progress, no matter how slow, is good. If you are in a stock car going 70 mph, and everybody else is going 120 mph, speeding up to 80 mph only ensures that you will continue to fall farther behind. When you are as far behind as the Bee and Herald (as is Jefferson, in general), only bold moves will work. Unfortunately, there are no longer bold or innovative people in Jefferson, and certainly there are no risk-takers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure some one will find an exception to that last statement. Keep in mind that it will be the exception, not the rule. The Jefferson Bee is partially owned by the Ames Tribune; the Herald is not. Look for the Bee to be moved out of Jefferson completely. At that point, Jefferson will lose control of its content - it may be used to publish anything - possibly nothing of interest to locals at all.
The Herald continues to plug along, and progress there is hard to find. I continue to predict it will collapse when Mr. Morain retires. Everyone in Jefferson wants a paper, but no one wants to do it. Typical.