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Written by Ron Swift / Fast Talk
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Friday, 19 September 2008 |
Imagine if this paper didn’t exist
What would it be like for a community the size of Patterson to not have its own newspaper?
Think about it.
 Ron Swift / Fast Talk
Some people in Novato, a city approaching 50,000 in population, were shocked at the recent announcement. Many were saddened, as if losing a good friend.
From a number of perspectives, the Advance was an outstanding community newspaper. It covered that city’s news thoroughly and without bias. It received state awards from its peers in the industry. And yet, with declining advertising revenues and only modest circulation gains, it was losing money and finally folded.
Think about what is lost.
No local election coverage, detailing the positions of candidates running for city council or school board positions. In fact, no info about whose names are even on the ballot.
No features about the lifestyles of local people — those who undertake activities of interest to others. And nothing in print about those who make the community a better place to live.
No coverage of local sports teams, from high school athletics to adult teams to youth teams, such as our Patterson Redskins.
No free obituaries, chronicling the lives of people we have known. And likewise, no free birth announcements. And no wedding stories and pictures, also without charge.
No local club, school, senior citizen and youth activity reporting. No news of local police, fire or accident happenings.
No local columns such as the one you are reading (I hope). No editorial page with local opinions, including the voice of the newspaper itself and letters from others.
Newspapers, as with other businesses, must be profitable or cease to exist. And like other businesses, they must change with the times as they serve their public.
The Patterson Irrigator is no exception. Its staff has instituted changes aimed at keeping pace with the public’s changing habits of absorbing news and advertising.
Local community newspapers certainly play an important role in our lives and must keep pace with the times. We would be at a loss without them.
After all, where else would you read about such local characters as “Spokie” Bob Kimball, our ace cyclist, than in the Irrigator?
CORRECTING THE WRONGS
Once in a great while, it is necessary to pause and straighten out a few things — again!
For instance, when speaking of the area on the western side of Stanislaus County, it is West Side (two words, each capitalized). Sure, some businesses use it one word, and that is their prerogative. But the geographical area of the county west of the San Joaquin River is West Side.
But don’t get confused. Our city’s development to the west is called Patterson’s west side. No capitals. Got it?
Then there’s El Circulo, which is neither an avenue nor a street. It’s El Circulo. Thus, some addresses in the phone book have it wrong. Got that?
Let me proceed.
Crows Landing is not one word, as you see it spelled on some signs at road intersections. Maybe the one-word signs are just short on space.
And despite the fact that Crows Landing was once a landing at the San Joaquin River operated by the Crow family, it does not use an apostrophe. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t.
On to Northmead. One word, not two. Northmead is three things — a school, a small residential neighborhood on Patterson’s north side and the name of a two-block street, Northmead Way.
So why does the street sign at the Highway 33 intersection read North Mead? Wrong!
I feel better now; how about you?
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Our quotable words of advice to the Persons of Maturity ended in a three-way tie this week. So here goes.
1. “By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he’s too old to go anywhere.” — Billy Crystal
2. “Don’t worry about avoiding temptation as you grow older. It will avoid you.” — Winston Churchill
3. “The cardiologist’s diet: If it tastes good, spit it out.” — Unknown
By the way, Fast Talk now requires that all quotes and stories about ol’ folks be submitted in writing. No more verbalizing on the street, in the coffee shop or on the phone.
The ol’ memory isn’t what it used to be. But what is?
KEEP THOSE QUESTIONS COMING
Here are questions that have one reader stumped.
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Did some not make it?
And, is there ever a day when mattresses are not on sale?
OK, so our reader has very little to do.
FOR THE SPORTS FAN
When the Tigers thumped McClatchy 63-7 a week ago in the season-opening football game, it disappointed those local fans who get especially excited about watching the punting game.
Well, you can’t satisfy them all.
AND FINALLY …
I like someone’s definition of a committee — a body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.
And the description of a yawn — an honest opinion openly expressed.
No yawning allowed at the end of this column.
- Ron Swift is editor/publisher emeritus of the Patterson Irrigator. His column appears weekly in this space.
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