OutTakes
by Edd Merritt

I read the news today, oh boy

Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.
–The Beatles – A Day in the Life

Are we a “news” paper?
That’s a question the staff and board of The Charlotte News have been wrestling with recently. We’re not alone in the process. Between halves at the CVU soccer game the other day, I was chatting with Mike Donoghue from the Free Press and member of the journalism faculty at St. Michaels College. Rather than talking corner kicks, we were discussing the deteriorating role of newspapers. Those papers that can’t afford or adapt to changing times are dropping like flies, being replaced by the immediate voice of social media which, to me, is often a cacophony of sound, tunes and opinions – full of sound and fury and signifying nothing. Some of it does result in good journalism, but who knows and who can identify it before it has disappeared? Only Father Time will tell.
Speaking about his months as a captive in Afghanistan and Pakistan, New York Times reporter David Rohde said his interaction with Taliban abductors was like talking to someone from an “alternate universe.” That’s sometimes where I feel our print media is headed – into space, toward an alternate universe inhabited by blogs and twitters.
Then again, I’m older than the average bear and caught with my head in the honey jar of books and papers. I don’t tweet well. I am finally coming around to believing I should join Facebook or Linkedin or some such aspect of new society. Well, maybe next week after I trade in my push lawn mower.
But, the issue around continuing The Charlotte News in its present format has helped me look more closely at what we produce. I ask myself if we should try to save it, and if so, why?

Here’s what I have come up with.
We call it “The Voice of Charlotte.” It is and it isn’t. In fact, the “voices” of Charlotte may be more accurate. For me that’s an important distinction. Some say we need to do more true reportage of town happenings. Yet, after perusing past issues, I think that providing a forum for many of the best and the brightest in our town to express themselves, as we do, is a valuable asset to the community.
None of the competitors can say that.
The News began as an organ for the Charlotte Congregational Church as a way of expanding the flow of information to parishioners beyond what was contained in the church bulletin.
Mimeographed sheets stapled together soon turned into newsprint requiring manual layout in the Vestry basement. Computer-generated copy followed, but it still ended in print. At the threat of becoming a for-profit enterprise that many felt would inhibit the ability to present information in a readable manner, content buried among ads, a not-for-profit board was established that continues to the present day. New members such as VPR head Robin Turnau, former editor Nancy Wood, and journalist Barrie Dunsmore add experienced voices to the discussion.
Most contributors write and submit photos voluntarily. Charlotte is blessed with many, and often the job of the editor is to find these folks and convince them that their contributions are both enjoyable and worth doing, and that the community thanks them for sharing their knowledge. How else would you get a retired Ivy League professor such as Larry Hamilton to sign on regularly; a published authority on the beauties of hiking New England and the Adirondacks like Elizabeth Bassett to write a monthly column specifically for the News; Kathryn Arthaud’s good counsel from “Across the Field;” Kay Teeter’s historical reminiscences about long-time Thompson Pointers; Alice Outwater combining the insight of a clinical psychologist with personal experience; and Josie Leavitt’s regular chuckler entitled appropriately “Leavitt-y.”
These provide not simply the voice but the many voices of Charlotte, distinct in their outlooks, yet focused on familiar people and places, and often presented in light of broader issues.
We may be dangerously close to losing these neighbors who have chosen to express themselves through the local printed word – not because they are leaving us, but because the paper may be forced to leave them.
We all face critical financial pressures, the News being no exception. There is competition from a number of sources – print as well as electronic – and the paper needs to rethink its content and format in order to compete successfully.
I happen to think it can. I believe there is still an important place for words on paper that appear as regularly as springtime in Vermont. But we cannot hope to compete with daily or even weekly papers if all we do is report news. Moreover, we shouldn’t care how many holes there are in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Don’t get me wrong. Residents should receive good information about critical town questions – school bonds, land use, village limits, community growth and its concurrent development – the maintenance of Charlotte’s quality of life (I’d call it town character, but I’m afraid some would ask, “Who’s he referring to?”).
The News should provide it. And we will likely have to develop our electronic side to be a more effective resource for readers. In fact, that format may become the place for more traditional reporting and the paper itself the spot for lengthier features and commentary.
Whatever measures we take, whatever changes we make will require the help and input of the community.
We want your opinion. What do people think of The Charlotte News? What is its future? Please don’t be shy. Give it your best shot.
Forty years ago the Rolling Stones asked, “Who wants yesterday’s papers? Who wants yesterday’s girl?” They answered, “Nobody in the world.” I hope that isn’t true today. I hope you trip on your lips, Mick.