Courtesy graphic/The Observer. The Observer front page devoted its lead story to asking readers to buy subscriptions to keep the weekly newspaper going, especially in this tough economy with its reserves used up. In the spirit of journalism cooperation, and as a fellow member of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, NSBNEWS.net is posting the Observer's story here, written by its editor, Robert Burns:
Help Us Help You
By Robert Burns
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The country’s newspapers are in crisis. If they are to continue serving communities all over the country, they need support. The Observer is one of those newspapers that need to have community support to thrive.
There is a Web site called simply “Newspaper Death Watch.” Each week, it documents the nation’s newspapers leaving existence. This week, the 174-year-old Ann Arbor News announced it is shutting down, joining the Rocky Mountain News, the Tucson Citizen, the Cincinnati Post, the Albuquerque Tribune, and the Kentucky Post.
Unless the community steps forward, expressing belief in The Observer, we regret to report our community’s longest running news source faces a similar fate.
“We bought this paper because we believe Southeast Volusia needs a voice,” said Observer publisher and president Michele Lott, Tuesday. “Last summer, we bought this paper and turned it around, bringing this community a dynamic mode of communication on all levels.
“But, without the support of the community we cannot expand into the markets necessary for long term survival. And, as with any business, if you do not grow you are doomed to failure.”
In recent months, advertising revenues have been down and receivables tend to stretch out, which is typical for this time of year. These twin dynamics – plus the costs of completely reconfiguring the 95-year-old institution – has tapped the reserves.
“We need to expand our market base to provide the volume necessary to carry us through the slow seasons. We have recently opened up opportunities for equity investors to provide the funding for this necessary growth.
“Until now, The Observer has been funded primarily through debt. This is a great opportunity for local citizens to invest in their community”, said Mrs. Lott.
Since the years leading up to the first World War, The Observer has documented life and activities in Southeast Volusia. In recent years, the paper has played an active role in informing this community of ongoing concerns and events, recently helping the people of Samsula to retain their elementary school, actively looking into concerns over a proposed I-95 interchange at Pioneer Trail, and covering a host of local issues which would otherwise go unnoticed.
Local causes and charities would certainly loose a great means of communicating.
“I’m not sure if I can get down to analysis of The Observer’s importance to daily existence,” said Relay for Life Chair Buddy Hughes. “But, I believe the paper (The Observer) is important to our community, especially since ‘The Other Paper’ has slipped (to put it nicely). This paper delivers important local information to its subscribers.”
In recent months, The Observer has revamped and restructured its Web site as well.
“We recognize the growing importance of the Internet, and the immediacy it brings,” said Mrs. Lott. “We believe the world is shifting into that general direction, but we also believe there is still a role for a printed version. — something real to hold on to.”
One local issue The Observer has provided extensive coverage on, has been the development of a Marine Research Center at the site of the old New Smyrna Beach High School.
“A small local newspaper’s role in a community is becoming more relevant at a time when the larger city papers are losing their way, readership, and raison d’etre,” said Marine Science Center project director Brett Boston.
“It is the sole source for recognizing a job well done in a small town. Reporting on local folks who excel and make a difference, and all around good news is the role of a local paper. No one else can do that. Who else will recognize the top students, top athletes, volunteers, and good folks of your town?”
The reality of the situation is Southeast Volusia might once again lose its newspaper.
“We don’t want that to happen,” said Mrs. Lott. “This is why we’re running this story in the paper. We need the community to show that they can support a local paper.”
That is a reality, Council on Aging staffer Carol Thomas hopes this community will reject. “How important is The Observer?” Very!!!”
“While we can instantly get ‘breaking news’ via the internet and television,” said Ms. Thomas. “It is the local community newspaper that provides the reporting of the fabric of our lives; presenting important information that is specific to ‘just us.’”
“It’s frustrating to know,” said Michele Lott’s husband, and Chamber of Commerce President Bob Lott, “that if each subscriber got one or two other people to subscribe, The Observer would thrive. Just a relative, a next door neighbor, this paper could continue. It breaks my heart to watch a community loose such an important part of their local culture through sheer apathy.”
So, The Observer needs a few investors willing to show support for your local paper, a handful of concerned locals who recognize the fact that the Freedom of Speech is only as free as a market economy will allow. The Observer needs subscriptions from households and businesses.
The Observer needs people to realize that advertising in your local paper is an effective means of communicating and it too leads to business health.
“We have a great product here at The Observer. Our staff has worked round the clock to bring this region the best, most comprehensive news coverage this community has truly ever seen,” said Mrs. Lott. “But, if this community can’t support its own newspaper, we’ll be forced into doing what other communities have already done. That would be too sad for words.”