EDITORIAL: And the blog goes on...

EDITORIAL: And the blog goes on…

(with a new feature -- BY THE PEOPLE -- that allows posts on any subject)

What an outpouring of support and condolences we received after our last printed issue hit the streets. We knew we were appreciated, but it sure felt good to hear from so many readers.

Check out “Rant & Rave” where we’ve printed a few of the literally hundreds of comments we’ve received. Just click on “Rant & Rave” over in the right hand column.

We have had some offers of money from our current investors and some potential new ones. Unfortunately, it would take $100,000 to reopen the doors and give us a good full year’s cushion against the economy.

So unless your richer than I am, that option is a limited one. But there is another option we’re working on – an existing newspaper that is considering entering the Rim Country market. I can’t tell you who it is yet, but I can tell you it is an established paper with values very similar to ours.

If we can work out the details, Matt and Mitzi Brabb and myself will do all we can to assist this new venture and make it happen. The current choice, between bad journalism and manipulative journalism, is not an acceptable option.

In the meantime, the blog (at www.rimcountrygazette.blogspot.com) has gotten great reviews, although some are disappointed that it is not interactive on every subject like that of a certain newspaper we all love to hate.

What you can do on our blog is post instant comments at the end of each article – comments that can be read by anybody who visits the blog. You do this by signing up as a blog follower. You have the option of following publicly (and even posting a photo of yourself), or of following anonymously). It’s really pretty easy. You may be asked to open a Google account, but that is easy and it is free.

If you prefer not to comment and just want to read the blog, simply go to www.rimcountrygazette.blogspot.com and enjoy. Remember we also accept letters, rants and other contributions for posting on the blog via peoplesgazette@gmail.com.

And we’re adding a new feature that allows more interactivity. It’s called “By the People,” and it’s a place you can go and comment on anything – or respond to someone else’s comment on anything. Just click “BY THE PEOPLE” on the right and have at it.

We’re going to continue expanding the blog and we want your input. Recently added is a poetry section, thus far featuring contributions by Dee Strickland Johnson/Buckshot Dot, Bruce Wales and Noble Collins. Your poems are welcome.

We have also given “Rant & Rave” its own section separate from “Opinion.” It’s one of our most popular features and we wanted to make it easier for you to find. And we’ve given the Citizens Awareness Committee (CAC) its own tab so you can keep track of their meetings. We believe they are an important watchdog group that deserves all the support we can give them.

Most of our regular columnists will continue to write for the Gazette’s blog, including myself (“Off the Rim”), Noble (“Rimshots”), Leilah Breitler (“Staying Healthy the Natural Way”) and more. Matt Brabb will continue to cover the Payson Town Council, Paty Henderson the Star Valley Town Council, and Mitzi Brabb whatever strikes her fancy.

And Bill Huddleston, far and away the best newspaper photographer in the Rim Country, will continue to share his very special work in PHOTO GALLERY.

What we are hearing from many readers is that we are soon going to become a paperless society, and that we are therefore going in the right direction – the only direction that leads to the future.

If, as Noble and I fervently hope, we attract a wider audience – dare we hope a worldwide audience – all the better. Many blogs have started small and grown into international phenomenons.

We think we have the writers. We think we have the contributing readers. Let’s think big and embark on this journey together.

Jim Keyworth
Editor