Newspaper advertising/reading down - Newspaper Quality? - Patsat's Blog - Tehachapi News

Mar 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM : I am not at...

I am not at all surprised by your revelation, Patrick. I noticed the change immediately after the installation of the new, and current, Editor. The TN only publishes "selective" articles of their choosing and not what is actually happening in this town. They are timid and afraid of reporting anything that could be considered controversial. As a result, I have also stopped advertising and canceled my subscription. I don't know if the new GM, Peter De Armond, will step up to the plate and get this paper back to its roots and report ALL the NEWS, or just sit back and lose even more. If he tries to dodge this bullet, they will bleed even more revenues...till the paper is gone! What a waste. And a loss for all of us.

Calvin

Mar 30, 2008 at 12:03 PM : All...

All newspapers are suffering, but I've gone from looking forward to the Tehachapi News, to hardly noticing it. Really, what's in it, beyond a few notices of upcoming events?

There was a nice little Section 8 Housing controversy that COULD have been covered, but wasn't even mentioned until last week and then with an article stating that it was done deal. Over the last 4 years the town spent $6M funding a fire department tthat was a very intense issue for many Kern County FD employees who live here, but you have to figure that out yourself. The Fire Department's massive display of force in last year's Mountain Festival parade (complete with helicopter fly-by) gave some indication of the stakes, but most News readers wouldn't have even know why it happened. The town is slow-rolling their payouts to local businesses, but you have to talk to an affected businessman to learn that.

The paper DID have a couple of decent articles about the Cummings Valley development threat - one of the few good moments the paper has had lately, but they have been cutting themselves off from controversy for so long that the letters page has been nearly eliminated and have shrunk their paper budget to the point where the paper is barely more than Real Estate ads wrapped around a Walgreens pull-out.

I hope the new guy makes some effort to correct that. He could start by publicizing the development project at Curry & Valley for a theater and City Hall to replace the only anchors of the newly renovated downtown and the predictable effects that will have on the three new eateries near the Hitching Post in particular and on the downtown in general. He could ask Don Maben to explain why he is/was so insistent on enforcing pet ownership limits in the county. The paper could explain the sewage and water system capacity issues the city is having, or re-visit the excerable Tom Sawyer Lake in Golden Hills that continues to stink despite court orders. Why have the people developing the Radio Tehachapi broad-band radio station not been invited to discuss their plans? I'm sure many people would be interested in learning about their efforts. How about some historical features? Many new residents to Tehachapi might appreciate being clued in on the context of their adopted town.

Just a few suggestions off the top of my head, no doubt other readers have their own. None of which would be difficult for the paper to solicit, or to be fair to their staff, are unknown to them now. But the cost-cutting model they seem to have been pursuing is sad to see and almost certain to fail, in my opinion. To work, the paper has to be a reliable way for businesses to reach their potential customers. As alternative media outlets become a more reliable way to get the message out (for example, I no longer need the paper to learn the movies playing in town, which I did only a few years ago), the need for a paper declines. Without content that compels me to pick up the paper, the ads don't get read, and a death spiral of less coverage, fewer readers, lower ad rates, less money, less coverage just continues.

Unlike the LA Times, Monday's issue of the Tehachapi News won't contain a bunch of stories everyone has already linked to through the Drudge Report. As the near-monopoly provider of local stories, it should concentrate on that strength. Some stories might initially aggravate a few advertisers, but their long-term good is linked to the number of readers, the same as the paper's. They will drop their ads from the paper as soon as it is to their benefit, so the paper shouldn't suffer from any delusions of loyalty on their behalf.

Mar 30, 2008 at 07:03 PM : I'm not...

I'm not in the least bit surprised --- but saddened nevertheless. I can't tell you the number of articles, reporting facts and figures, that would not be published because the editor was in disagreement. I was promised updates on facts I was informed were wrong, but no facts on my particular "issue" were ever reported. I can only conclude that "big interests" were pulling strings and specials interests of the editor were at the heart of this nonsense.

The most interesting part of the paper was the editorial section within the Mill Street section. Mill Street is gone and editorials are now only testimonials to what working to get accurate information) when people get riled and involved in an issue. But when you do get involved, you have no real problem getting correct information.

I want to know what is REALLY happening with the hospital - not what some part time, gone tomorrow, project manager thinks. Where is the news in constantly reporting .... "we are moving along" - I wish I could go out and get some good interviews. It is a part of dumbing down the residents of Tehachapi.

I want to know about the developer who purchased Jack Palance's property. Anyone else interested in this? I want to know about Grimm Way's plan to build 6 or 7 each, 5,000 "green houses" along Banducci - which will look like an industrial park when they are done. Be assured - the area they are consuming will still be zoned agricultural, but I live over here! What an eye sore that NO ONE at the TN wants to report.

I want to know why Tehachapi Boulevard looks like some blighted town from the 30s - except of course the two or three blocks on either side of Robinson. What is the city spending the millions they are receiving in "wind fall" revenue because of the big businesses moving to Tehachapi? A couple benches and the remodeled water tower? Are you kidding me?

I want to know about the housing developments that are currently empty fields in "historic downtown Tehachapi." What is happening? Do the block wall fences deteriorate until the economy turns around? Like about, 2010? My guess is YES, but no reporting from TN on that one either.

With the extreme building that has happened over the past 10 years - why does the City not have their own engineer? This job is out sourced to incompetents - rejected for spelling errors!! ...... you know who you are. There are kick backs so obvious that just talking to some of the builders will tell you what is going on. Why no investigative reporting? This is a huge issue for goodness sake!

And, while I'm on this rant - why is the word "TEHACHAPI" not included in the spell check? Good grief.

Mar 31, 2008 at 09:03 AM : It's pretty sad...

It's pretty sad when the actual news doesn't even touch the issues that are affecting the residents. There are so many current issues that affect the residents of Tehachapi that people would be interested to read about yet those stories are never touched. I find more 'newsworthy' articles and information from the blogs I read than from reading the actual Tehachapi news.

Mar 31, 2008 at 09:03 AM : I used to...

I used to buy the TN every week. I have not bought a TN newspaper in a long time. Why, because it has gotten to where its not worth the 50 cents. The TN should be embarrassed at the paper they put out. I would like to see more community news reported. I want to know what is happening in the Tehachapi area. Isn't that the purpose of a news paper....to inform us....information.

Mar 31, 2008 at 10:03 AM : WOW! It...

WOW! It looks like I'm not the only one who has seen this change(s). Perhaps some of YOU would be interested in starting your own local paper? Or go to one of the better Secondary papers to add to their publication? Thank you so much for all the great input. I do hope the TN Editor takes note.

Mar 31, 2008 at 11:03 AM : I like getting and...

I like getting and reading the Tehachapi News. Sure the amount of content has dropped, but I was told it was do to a lack of reporters working at the paper. You can not find the amount of local coverage in any other paper. Like the new Manager said, its hard to take criticism from one person with many different names on an anonymous blog! I find most of the other local papers nothing more then advertisements and editorial from the same people over and over. I am sorry that Stan Beckham is not getting the coverage he thinks he has coming on the TN. I am sure that will change soon. :) The new guy has been in place for less then a month. I am waiting to see what he does. I am not going to hit him below the belt just yet. Have a great day. I am!!!!

Mar 31, 2008 at 11:03 AM : Well, you...

Well, you apparently touched a raw nerve with many of us, Pat. The "new" GM is the one in charge of the paper and he has been on the job for a couple of weeks so should have his feet "wet" by now. His SILENCE is deafening!!

Calvin

Mar 31, 2008 at 11:03 AM : psst...dream...

psst...dreamkiller....the General Manager KNOWS who you are. He knows the IP of your computer, and he knows who the "one person with many different names on an anonymous blog" is! He's got your name, and mine, and calvintehachapi, and gube's! Your anonomity is from us - not from he whose computer controls the site!

Of course for all I know, YOU may be the person with different names on this anonymous blog! For all I know, you may be the General Manager!

Why you think concerns expressed, quite reasonably and cogently, to a newspaper about its editorial and business direction is "below the belt", I have no idea. Wanna help me with that? What specific comment do you consider to have been "below the belt".

I am ProgressoDasani - I speak for ProgressoDasani, and only as ProgressoDasani!!

Mar 31, 2008 at 11:03 AM : Duh!!&nb...

Duh!! That's why he is not responding to a few people with many different names! Tell Calvin I said hello!!! Well got to go, Xbox360 is calling my name. Log on to Call to duty 4 and look me up.

Mar 31, 2008 at 02:03 PM : I think...

I think dreamkiller's REAL first name is either Carin, or Peter. He/she clearly shows a bias on behalf of the paper. No brain surgery needed to figure this out! But, either way, their arrogance and disdain will cause THEIR loss, not ours.

Calvin (My REAL fist name!)

Apr 1, 2008 at 02:04 PM : I'm...

I'm guessing this blog won't end up in the Featured Blogs or the Editors Picks-haha-LOL-though it would make a better front page story than anything I have read in the Tehachapi News lately ;)

Apr 3, 2008 at 01:04 PM : Let's...

Let's vote ......

Who wants some reporting done on large land purchases and proposed developments in and around Tehachapi?

Who wants some reporting done regarding the fire department training to become paramedics?

Who wants to get some real news regarding the progress of the new hospital?

Pick your hottest issue.

Mine? Land development in Cummings Valley. The news on the street is that the Palance property has been sold to developers and that the sod farm owners are actively looking for a developer to sell to. Other than the rather small Grimm Way acreage, which is going to build industrial sized "green houses" that's pretty much the entire valley going to LA developers. And yes .... those industrail sized green houses will look exactly like it sounds they will look like - an industrial park. Ugh!! Thanks CVPA from saving Stallion Springs from a pre-planned, CC&R controlled with resident input and agreed upon development. That's a smart alert thanks .... geez they were short sighted.

Apr 3, 2008 at 04:04 PM : Suggestion to all...

Suggestion to all those who would like to see better articles in the local newspaper. Each of you sit down once a week and select a hot topic. Write about it with full details and submit it to your favorite local paper. It could be the TN, or the Cub, perhaps the Mountain Signal or the Loop, or one of the other small papers we see around town. But whichever one you choose, make sure the editor approves, consolidate everyone's articles to that one paper, then let them print the articles. It would also help that paper if you support them with your advertising. If you all select the TN, and they approve of the articles, then thats great! If one of the other papers, then that paper will soon become the best choice for local news.

It would seem that those of you who do not like the TN would be able to take your information and build a better local paper. All you need is someone to take charge. Perhaps the editor of the paper you choose would be that person? The discussions could be done here in this blog, or you all could find your own place to communicate and make it happen. Yahoo has free Groups that you could meet as an example.

Sure beats all this rhetoric of the local paper not doing its job. If you think its time that we the locals take the local news back over and put it to print, then let's do it instead of talking about it.

Am I way off base here? Or would something like this work??

Apr 3, 2008 at 04:04 PM : Go for it. I...

Go for it. I myself prefer the Tehachapi News over ALL other local papers. You sound a bit off.

Apr 3, 2008 at 07:04 PM : There are...

There are a lot of hot topics around the Tehachapi area, politically and otherwise. I don't think it would be right to use the TNews blogs to join ranks and discuss posting articles in other newspapers though. Might I recommend Tehachapi's new(er) Blog site www.wherestehachapi.com or if you are looking for commentary on what is happening through the city council I have launched a blog section on my new Web site where you can submit questions, and Pat, I will be trying to answer some of the questions you brought up here. My Web site address is now www.StanBeckham.com Both sites have RSS feeds so that you can be notified when new content is added.

I do agree that we need better coverage than we have had in the last few months, but I have also been told that the new GM is a man of integrity so we need to give him some time to get his feet on the ground.

Apr 4, 2008 at 09:04 AM : ...

How much time does it take one to get their feet on the ground exactly? I've think it's been enough time myself.

I think you have some great ideas Patsat, the only problem that I see is the stories that affect us/concern us as Tehachapi residents, are also stories that have strong emotional issues tied to them, controversial topics, and it already seems clear that the TN is unwilling to print anything that would fall into those categories, that will ruffle any feathers.