“I didn’t get my paper.”
Those were words that made Mrs. Dobie’s already thin lips get even thinner.
In a flash she would be dialing the old rotary phone on her desk. Calling some mom who would then either run out herself to make sure the Hope Standard was delivered to a reader’s doorstep, or her son got it there pronto. And, yes, it was a son. Only boys seemed to get the prized carrier jobs close to 40 years ago.
That was when readers didn’t question that they should pay for the local news. They knew the folks who put together the paper. They knew the advertisers who put ads in the paper. They knew it cost something to get something.
The first “non-subscription” paper I saw enter the news scene was nearly a decade later. A free-delivery paper started up in opposition to the Haney Gazette. The Gazette was a thick three-section broadsheet with a fully-staffed paid subscription department. “I didn’t get my paper” still set fires under the folks in the circulation room. But now the new upstart paper also landed on their doorstep. And while it didn’t have the loyal readership or news coverage the Gazettehad, it was free.
It nibbled away at our paid subscription paper until we were toast.
Was the community better served? No. Was there better coverage? No. Did it always land on their doorstep? No. But free, well, free was hard to fight. And free became the new business model, with advertisers footing the bill.
Fast forward close to four decades later, and New Westminster readers tell me that they value the Recordin their lives. In fact, if there’s one complaint I hear too often, it’s that they want more coverage – not less. We agree. This city is unique in so many ways in the Lower Mainland. Residents seem to feel true ownership of this city and its past, present and future.
I believe many feel the same way about the Record.
A community newspaper is intertwined with a city’s democracy, a city’s culture and a city’s character.
When someone calls us to complain, or praise, city hall or the local police – we’re all ears. When someone is asking for help to build their community group. To help expand its services. To welcome new members – we’re here to lend a hand and share their story. When citizens decide to dive into local politics. We’re here to tell it like it is.
When the community honours its volunteers, builders and citizens, we’re here to share those good news stories in our pages and on our website.
I believe the time has come once again when folks who value a community newspaper will subscribe.
Free is nice, but it does come with a price.
Pat Tracy is the editor of the Record.
