Sometimes a perfect storm strikes and several weather systems merge into one area to create one bad situation. That has been the case with the Malone Telegram in recent weeks. A series of “storms,” or problems, has resulted in delivery issues and many subscribers not getting a newspaper for several days. It is a problem that is frustrating for loyal readers of the Telegram, and twice as frustrating for the dedicated staff that works at the office of the hometown paper.
The perfect storm began with major problems with the printing press in Massena where the Telegram was being printed. Those issues led to delays in getting the paper shipped out to Malone in time for delivery to the local post office, which is the manner of delivery for the paper. There was a time when the paper could rely on a reliable individual, many times a teenager, who would have a delivery route and make sure papers were delivered in a timely fashion. But those days are long gone.
For a variety of reasons, one partly due to not being able to find a reliable delivery method, a couple of years ago the Telegram began to use the United States Postal Service to deliver the paper on a daily basis.
Although it is indeed a reliable means, there are two main issues: The post office is closed on holidays, so no papers can be delivered and the paper must arrive at the post office by a certain time in the morning for it to be delivered on the same day it arrives. The latter of which has been a key factor in the “perfect storm.”
When the press in Massena began to malfunction last month, the paper was delayed and did not make it to the Malone and surrounding post offices in time for delivery. This happened several days – and then the storm got worse. Word came that the press needed costly major work and the Johnson Newspaper Corp., which owns the Telegram, decided to close that facility. Fortunately, the company has a printing press at its main office where the Watertown Daily Times is produced, so it made sense to have the Telegram printed there.
But then, just last week, that printing press had problems and again the paper was delayed and was not delivered to the post offices in time, and the storm intensified. On Veterans Day there was no mail service and no paper delivered. The press issues were not resolved and the paper did not make it to the Malone area in time. Last weekend, Watertown was hit with a crippling snowstorm, which translated into a devastating addition to the perfect storm – again the Telegram was not delivered. Most recently, the storm has continued with a variety of press-related issues at the Watertown facility.
The good news is that even a perfect storm passes. We do feel the frustration of readers not getting their papers delivered. But readers should recognize we here at the Telegram are even more frustrated. We are a crew of dedicated journalists and staff who care deeply about the local newspaper and recognize how important it is to a vibrant community. The issues we are facing of getting the paper here in a timely fashion are being addressed.
In the meantime, there are ways readers can still check out all the local news in the Telegram. Our e-edition is the same version as our printed copy – it’s like an e-book, only it’s a newspaper.
Also, you can read stories online at mymalonetelegram.com. If you have problems connecting to any of these services – which are free with your paid subscription, contact our tech team at 315-782-1012.
We recognize how important getting the local news is to our readers. There have been rumors and comments about the Telegram shutting down – and that is not true. There have also been posts on social media saying that the paper is not important. Again, that is not true.
A local newspaper such as the Telegram is vital the community – as is the case with local newspapers across the country. We keep the community informed on what local governments are doing, especially when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money. We inform the community on what is happening in schools, businesses and local organizations. We run obituaries that let you know when someone, perhaps that you know of, has passed away. We inform people about the achievements of people in the community and we let readers know what is happening in the region.
In the recent weeks, our staff at the Telegram has fielded many phone calls of subscribers upset that they did not receive a paper – and it has happened on a far too regular basis. We understand the frustration as we feel it too. And we are letting our frustration known at the highest levels of the company. Our voices are being heard. There’s an old adage that you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. At least for this temporary time, perhaps readers realize just how important the Telegram is. It is certainly important to the passionate and dedicated staff we have right here in Malone. We want everyone to know we take the recent issues very seriously and are confident the Telegram will continue to be a successful local source of news.
Until we get the delivery problem rectified, we ask that subscribers, readers and advertisers remain loyal. Our community needs its local paper and the local paper needs its community. We will weather this perfect storm.
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