COLUMN by BRAD ROLLINS
Managing Editor
My grandpa used to say that he eats a bowl of oatmeal and reads his hometown paper every night before he goes to bed. That way, he said, he can sleep with nothing on his stomach and nothing on his mind.
This was back in East Texas, but the same could be said of many small town papers that have been bought up in alarming numbers in recent decades by national companies that don’t give a damn about the communities they purport to serve.
The San Marcos Daily Record, for instance, is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., which is itself a holding of the State of Alabama’s schoolteacher pension fund. By the way CNHI guts venerable old institutions like the Record — and wrings every last advertising dollar it can from the communities — one would think there are a whole bunch of rich teachers in the Yellowhammer State. I worked at the Daily Record for three years alongside dedicated professionals who work hard to run a newspaper with less as the community expects more. It’s not their fault the Daily Record has slid into irrelevance but it has.
The only existing alternative to this is an upstart news Web site owned lock, stock and barrel by Scott Gregson, a real estate developer who it seems clear to me brazenly uses what he touts as an objective news source to pressure elected officials to commit taxpayer dollars and rewrite policy in a way he hopes will make him rich. He made it clear when I worked there briefly that he expected unfavorable articles about certain members of the city council and about the county commissioners who rejected buying property from him in a deal worth tens of millions of dollars. I’ve written negatively about all of the above from time to time but will not do so as a hatchet man for anyone’s financial advancement.
So I’ve joined forces with Bill Peterson of Kyle, former editor of the Hays County Free Press, to start a publication that will take the public interest seriously. I hope you will visit the San Marcos Mercury at www.sanmarcosmercury.com and consider subscribing to our free e-mail list to receive daily updates on the news you care about.
And, as always, I want to hear what you think and your ideas for making the Mercury better.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:37 am
In the age of digital media, I think a new information source for the region is a great opportunity to spread the word about Hays County. I wish you and Bill all the luck in the world on your endeavor!
April 21st, 2008 at 2:15 am
Obviously you don’t know who I am or you would not have sent this to
me. I can’t even begin to express my distain for you.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:57 am
Congratulations Brad. We don’t always see eye to eye but I admire your perseverance.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Way to go, Brad. We look forward to reading more and following your endeavor.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:31 am
Ha! You really sent this to Greg’s brother? Geez. You got as much guts as you have talent.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I’d been wondering why “that other news site” had become so boring. I am excited for this new endevour, my husband & I enjoy not only your writing, but the mission of alternative media outlets in San Marcos. Kudos to you. We’ve redirected our browser.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I am glad to see another choice to see & read what is going on in San Marcos. I have been very displeased with what the town newspaper puts out in paper and on their website. I wish you much luck!
April 24th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
more power to you, but it seems like you might be burning some bridges that might end you up in places you don’t want to be
June 1st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Hope your endeavor thrives and expands to cover more of the county. Hays citizens need to be informed on issues and happenings in our county, school districts, and communities that have an impact on our quality of life and our pocketbooks. The media most of us have in common here in Hays County up to now is the Austin American-Statesman and radio and television in the Austin market. While I’m grateful for the coverage they provide, it is not very frequent and misses a lot. So I wish you the best.