To the editor:
I have put off writing this ever since Sue Tortello complained about changes in the Pioneer in her Oct. 19 letter to the editor. She covered most of what I might have written and it seemed as if all editors involved would note the content. However, I do have a different perspective, having seen changes in local papers (daily and weekly, different publishers) in the Rochester area.
The first cut resulted from the redesign of a page: lots more white space, less attractive layout, and less content. Since then, the entire page was “lost” when two pages were condensed into one.
I have two points: white space and articles about someplace else (other than Houlton). More white space is pretty, but what happened to the print that I would read otherwise? I subscribe to a paper to read. Is there so much less news, less happening in Houlton, or are people not turning in the news? Is that why readers are expected to be interested in what is happening “up country?” Granted, the articles are usually interesting and informative, but I expect to see Houlton or its environs.
Perhaps in today’s world, readers are very interested in all towns and Aroostook County is one big happy family, not as of yesteryear when PI was our main competitor in sports, as well as a town which got uppity and became a city on the basis of population. We knew that our town, with its many side streets and stores, was superior to that one with its single, long Main Street.
I realize that now Presque Isle is a hub and Houltonians must travel for specialized medical care and other reasons. But, if I wanted general news from there, I would subscribe to their paper. It has just occurred to me that editors might be planning to consolidate into one County paper. I wonder …
No editor has written an article explaining plans, procedure, goals. It may be assumed that you put out a paper, people buy it, read it, and accept your product. I hope this has occurred, but why not involve the readers in your venture? Communication is key. Advertisers are so important to a paper and I do read the Pioneer ads, but if you lose readers, the ad base could dwindle. Involving readers by clueing them in should keep all of them, not just the ones who have overlooked changes.
