Idle Ramblings

Some good news

I've heard from a number of friends down in the southern part of Mississippi and they all say they are doing fine. Have heard a few stories, but nothing compared to what will come once they have time to sit back and breath. My friends at The Scott County Times have said they are doing fine. Steven Watson, the editor and publisher, a great journalist and French horn player said in his e-mail earlier today...

"A little worse for wear, but we made it AND GOT A PAPER OUT DAMNIT!!! :)"

And I know how he feels. I'm sure putting out a paper in such a condition was no small feat. People don't realized just how important their efforts, and the efforts of small town newspaper personnel will be in the coming weeks. They will in large part be the only sources of necessary information for the individual communities. Radio stations that have remained on the air, especially Mississippi Public Radio, have been doing an incredible job. But for a long time to come, the individual community newspapers will play a critical role in keeping the people of the small towns across southern Mississippi informed. That is why I originally went into the newspaper business and that is about the only thing I miss. That sense of knowing what you are doing is important and vital to your community. That's something the moneygrubbers that run most of the companies now forget or, more likely, never understood in the first place.

I'm glad to hear folks are doing well. And Steven and Baker did a great job and showed a lot of professionalis and amazing dedication to their community and their jobs.

posted by Joseph @ 8/31/2005 06:24:00 PM