By G. Michael Dobbs
Manager Editor, Reminder Publishing
[email protected].
So folks, I’m sure you’ve noticed some slight changes in this newspaper and I’d like to tell you about some more coming up.
Westfield needs and deserves a source for local news. If you think a moment about other news outlets that are in your life, can you honestly say they are covering Westfield, Southwick and the hill towns as well as they should be?
I think you know the answer to that question.
The importance of a ‘paper such as this one grows in significance because it is the last of the actual sources of news for this population. All of us take the responsibility very seriously. We want the ‘paper to grow in readership and advertising support.
What changes could you expect to see in the next few weeks? I’m glad I asked that question for you!
First, the ‘paper is going to a standard size of 12 pages. What will be inside is the local news you need. What won’t be inside are certain features that aren’t local.
The manta is here “local, local, local.”
The staff here wants to know what’s happening so send in your press releases and notices if you are not already. Send them to [email protected].
If you run a non-profit, we want your news. If you are an elected official we want your press releases as well. If you are a business owner and if you have an expansion, an increase in product or hiring more people, we want to know.
If you know someone is doing something different, something helpful and should get some attention, let us know. The beginning of August is still considered a “slow” time for news. This would be a great time to pitch us your story.
There will be a redesign that will change the way we present our stories. We want the ‘paper to be more reader friendly and have a clean look to it.
We also want your opinion. Please consider sending us a letter to the editor to [email protected].
In the meantime, we are working diligently to give us news that you need to know from your hometown.
Where is the worst congestion?
MassDot issued a report last week that spells out that traffic congestion in the Bay State has reached a new historic high and there is fear it will hamper additional economic development.
Most of the gridlock is located in the greater Boston area, but it does exist in other parts of the Commonwealth.
Where is traffic the worst for you? What could be done to improve travel around the area? Is additional bus service a solution?
I want to hear from you. Drop me a line at [email protected].
