Union Newspaper, our local gem!

Way back when I first became known in the community for politics I was really a novice about the importance of a newspaper.  I was a busy building contractor and did not pay much attention to the Union.  But when Measure A and B were put on the ballot by newcomers from the big city, all my perceptions changed.  I saw the value of information back in 1978 of a place where the people of the community could voice their opinions.  That became a epiphany of great value to me.

When I got elected in 1984,  I became the target of the Union editor who seemed to have a personal problem with me.  Even though I never new that person.  It was troubling for me and my family and I saw what a determined foe with barrels of ink can do.  But they did not shut me up in their attempts to embarrass this country boy.  I still said my piece and in reality, I knew the paper was important as I never ever thought of shutting it down as some liberals are espousing these days.  So I learned to take my lumps and I knew what the truth was.  I have certainly outlasted the critics.

I have had a subscription for most of my adult life.  I do this even though the paper may be chastising me or the things I believe in (like the hoax of "global warming").  It is important to have the newspaper in the community.  Currently I think they are doing a fine job and remind me of the fine years Jeff Ackerman ran the paper.  Freedom of the press!  Freedom of speech!  I will always be there to do what I can to protect these important freedoms.  The left in our community is always on the ragged edge of negativity.  They have tried to get publishers fired and editors fired.  I never did that and I opposed others attempts to do so.  Hell , Editor John Seelmeyer did his best to wreck my life and I never asked for his dismissal.

I remember when a publisher shed her clothes and jumped into the lake at a early Starry Nights!  She was attractive so all of us guys kept our mouths shut.  She was a important part of the community and we never asked for her removal.

Now the paper has asked many community members to be part of the editorial board.  I think it is great.  We have seen though that when a liberal does not get their way on the Board they do a "take my ball home" and complain and quit.  Poof!  So they have this great venue to get their message out and like little kids they give it up.  Their poor little egos are tainted.  Oh my!

When Jeff Pelline became the Editor of our newspaper there seemed to be a uptick in stories trashing the local community.  I was saddened that the paper seemed to be headed backwards.  How could Jeff Ackerman have hired this person?  Well it did not take to long and Ackerman apparently booted this man from the position.  And the paper was restored to its importance.  Whew!  The community dodged a negative bullet!

Now with the advent of the Internet and other media outlets, we see a concerted effort to disparage and mock the paper.  The mocking is so petty.  A misspelled word or some phrase not meeting the "scrutiny of experts" leads to a apoplectic "former Union editor"!  As well as his loony [posters.  Well at least to the three people that comment consistently on his blog.  He just can't get over being booted and has a real grudge against the paper.  Heck, I was trashed for almost eight years running by a rogue set of editors and never tried what this FUE attempts all the time.

So the lesson to me is this.  Sure we may all be subject to attacks and negatives in print but do we really want to get rid of the medium?  Nope.  We need t protect the valuable things of the community and our Union Newspaper is at the top of that list!