Years ago, every tongue-wagger in Humboldt County was talking about the newspaper war between the Times-Standard and the Eureka Reporter. Everyone knew Eureka honcho Robin Arkley, Jr. was out to drive the 150 year-old T-S out of business and sides were quickly taken.
The chatter died down after Arkley’s ER cut back to five days per week. Even Mr. Moneybags seemed to be struggling under the weight of a crappy economy.
But the war rages on, according to Judi Hodgson, publisher of the Arcata’s weekly North Coast Journal, and it’s being fought on the same front as before — the price of advertising.
The Eureka papers are selling “full page, full color ads for as little as $350 or even $250 per page,” Hodgson wrote in the July 3rd edition. Compare that the four-figure price tag of yesteryear.
Unlike either of the Eureka papers, there appears to be a bottom in the pockets of the NCJ owners. Hodgson said the NCJ can’t compete in a “game of limbo” when it comes to ad prices. Did she mean “game of chicken?” Maybe “limbo” is right since she reiterates past predictions that only one of the two warring papers will survive.
The NCJ will be raising rates in September, and will be trimming the height of the dead tree version. But like other papers they’ll put more juice into its internet offerings.
If they’re smart they’ll learn from the website forays of the two warring papers, one of which clearly won that battle while the other twists in the technological wind.
RSS - Posts
July 7, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Huh? I continue to get my ER free every morning.
July 7, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Er, I meant, I continue to get my ER free five days a week, as apparently does everyone in the blocks surrounding my home. I highly doubt any of my neighbors are paying for it, especially not the grow houses. It’s gotta be annoying for them to pick up those papers every few days. If they paid neighborhood kids to do it, maybe there would be less animosity.
July 7, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I found no subscription rates on ER’s website, but there is a blurb that states, “Just because it is priceless doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it on time.” And there’s a phone number to complain about non-delivery.
July 7, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Thanks, I’ll correct it.
July 7, 2008 at 6:10 pm
sure, 5:53, and then when those kids get a little older they can act as lookouts and then maybe start peddling a little at school… i’m sure the all the neighborhood’s parents will be delighted with your modest proposal.
how about if the eureka reporter would just stop tossing their rag everywhere and just stick to those who really want it. oh, but then they couldn’t inflate the subscription numbers that form the basis for advertising rates.
July 7, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Let’s make a paper mache “Goddess of Democracy” like the one in Tienamen Square, surplus Eureka Reporters will work well for that. Let’s make it big.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 7, 2008 at 6:13 pm
You’re on to something there, Bill.
July 7, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Let’s make a paper mache “Goddess of Democracy” like the one in Tienamen Square, surplus Eureka Reporters will work well for that. Let’s make it big.
Perhaps we should consider calling her the Goddess of the Marina center, since Eureka Reporters will be used.
-boy
July 7, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I’m not wasting my time on a paper mache Home Depot ad, thanks.
July 7, 2008 at 6:21 pm
According to the former editor, Rich Somerville (may he rest in peace), the Eureka Reporter started up specifically to put the T-S out of business. That was in retaliation for a T-S editorial in support of the opponent of Arkley’s wife in a mayoral race.
When I moved back here in 2005, I knew immediately that the ER was a hoax as a business because its high-quality newsprint, color photos, and apparent staff of local reporters could not possibly have been paid for by the few ads in the paper. I just never knew WHY until Mr. Somerville told me.
It seems an incredible amount of money to throw away out of revenge though. What kind of person is that mean-spirited? I would love to hear what other people have to say about this: is it true? Are there other theories? What does Arkley say?
And by the way, Judy Hodgson and Rob Arkley are friends, albeit perhaps it is now a strained friendship if Arkley’s revenge is truly affecting her business.
July 7, 2008 at 8:03 pm
“I’m not wasting my time on a paper mache Home Depot”
It’s papier mache.
July 7, 2008 at 8:21 pm
fuck bill, just use it to build a papIer mache freebie homeless condo. NOT.
July 7, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I like the ER. It’s locally-owned and looks sharp. What would the TS look like now if the ER hadn’t forced Singleton to upgrade the presses?
Five days a week is all the Wall Street Journal publishes, and it’s probably the best paper in the US. Sure, the editorial section is loony, but the articles are good.
July 7, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I’m sick and tired of the continuous droning about how the E-R sucks because some rich asshole funds it.
People are quick to talk smack about the E-R, but rarely do people give props like Carson above.
For one, the E-R employees, what, at least 30 people, giving them a decent pay that’s not minimum wage. The money to fuel that employment comes from someone who, aside from being an asshole every once in a while, has more roots in this community than the T-S owners ever will.
Also, since Glenn left the paper they’ve been scooping the T-S left and right on stories and competing with them on breaking news. I really liked their big fire story on Sunday, and thought it was a good in-depth story.
Point is, both papers have problems, and both papers have strengths, yet what you hear in the great Humboldt blog world is ideologue ramblings from people who continue to lump Arkley with the quality of reporting in the newspaper.
Strange, how in this supposedly liberal, local business oriented, free press loving place, people would be so quick to talk smack about a local businessman offering the community a free newspaper over a corporation controlled by Dean Singleton, known union buster, newsroom slasher and wire news enthusiast.
July 7, 2008 at 9:30 pm
But the rich guy is a republican. That’s all that matters to us.
July 7, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Both rich guys are republicans, Arkley and Singleton.
July 7, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I’m one of the last people you might expect to proffer bouquets to the Eureka Reporter. But I agree to a large extent with Hypocrites and Haters above. The Reporter has been better in several aspects of local news coverage than the Times-Standard over the past several months. I have been surprised and pleased again and again over what I have read in the supposed Arkley rag.
July 7, 2008 at 9:50 pm
A newspaper that operates at a loss while subsidized by its rich owner for his own business and political agenda which is only able to afford all the fancy extras due to these subsidies while it sells ad space for under market value to destroy its competitor because of a political grudge is not commendable.
July 7, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Local sports (not just college) has been covered well in the ER too, and the TS has followed suit.
I thought that combining the entertainment section with the TV section was a stroke of marketing genius, until I saw a copy of that crappy-excuse-for-a-newspaper from San Francisco, and reckoned that the Chronicle had come up with it first. Still, it’s a good idea.
July 7, 2008 at 10:01 pm
/I wonder if the ER is a Union paper? Any bets? Mr. A. buys distressed properties all over the US of A, un-distresses them, builds a mall and, at least in the past, has made bundles. That is how he pays for the ER. However the many properties he bought in New Orleans, at very reduced prices, after Katrina, has turned from Saint Katrina into the nasty Dominatrix. It’s the price of playing in a very high stakes game. Ultimately that plays out in a five day daily. So sticking to the gambling theme, the ER is pushing in a big bet, (a multi billioniare’s shrinking stack is still much bigger than the
TS’s pile of chips) called low ad rates, to knock the other big player,the TS, out of the game. It would be really too bad if the NCJ has to leave the table, for lack of a big stack of chips, and we are possibly left only with the ER. That would be a sad day indeed. Some game!
July 7, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Arkley wasn’t listed in the last Forbes list of billionaires.
July 7, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Someone posted a while back about the Bay Guardian winning a 15.9 million dollar unfair business practice lawsuit against Village Voice Media and San Francisco Weekly for pricing its ads at below cost to put its competitor out of business.
July 7, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Is there a link to Judi Hodgson’s article?
July 7, 2008 at 10:31 pm
No. Paper copy only.
July 7, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I don’t know what you guys are smoking. Have you actually read the articles? Poor writing (poor editing). And there’s been a vacuum since Wendy Butler “left.” Some of her replacement’s articles are painful to read.
July 7, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I agree with the Ranger.The color & local sports coverage made the TS & channel 3 take note.You can still disagree with the man but enjoy the paper.His touch in Downtown Eureka is pleasing to the eye.
But didn’t a weekly SF rag just win a big lawsuit against a competitor for unfair business practices similar to this?
July 7, 2008 at 10:38 pm
At a glance it appears that case dealt with a large paper undercutting a small competitor.
July 7, 2008 at 10:48 pm
They were selling ad space at below cost. Their size shouldn’t matter.
July 7, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Jane, let’s really not get into that discussion. This is a family blog.
July 8, 2008 at 12:05 am
It was interesting to hear that he is no longer on Forbes billionaire list. His stack is smaller than I thought. The financial Dominatrix must have really done a number on him. It will be interesting to see how he plays his cards with fewer chips. Also interesting is the lawsuit mentioned above. What a tangled web we weave sometimes.
Judging by past performances, Size means a great deal. Carry a big stick and all that republican jargon.
July 8, 2008 at 12:20 am
I almost forgot. Remember the big stick he tried to use on a Eureka city councilman. It’s his MO.
July 8, 2008 at 12:35 am
The core battleground is classified ads. It’s an easy and sizable source of revenue.
The TS took a big hit a few years ago when the Journal, Eye and Press qualified to carry legal ads and did so at discount rates.
Two bellwethers are job ads and garage sales. TS trounces ER in both, but for the metropolitan areas, Craigslist trounces the TS for garage sales. The ER’s open house and garage sale maps are nicely done, but ineffective when few people are paying to be placed upon them.
Craigslist is becoming popular for selling a range of other items, but many of the goods sold represent things these people would not normally advertise in a newspaper. They are sales of convenience (no cost to the seller).
July 8, 2008 at 1:08 am
Yeah, I totally agree with anon 10:32. Ever since Wendy Butler “left” the ER, I haven’t been able to get my fix of anti-psychotic-drug-induced rambling. Although Sharon Letts is pretty close.
July 8, 2008 at 1:36 am
Nope, Wendy just had command on the English language. Dunno what personal beef you had with her, maybe criticized your art or something. She was a good writer.
July 8, 2008 at 6:14 am
I don’t remember anything coming of the big stick incident. Other than once unproven accusations. I don’t see the incident showing anything but that Glass lacks testicular fortitute.
ER is delivered 5 days a week without fail. I find I enjoy almost all the papers here. Read the TS, ER, NCJ, Beacon, Lumberjack, Mck. Press, and once in a while Tri-city. Each has it strong points and weakness. One of the things about the ER is they print letters from all the wingnuts, similiar to this blog.
The only proof offered as to why RA started paper is that editor of comp paper said so, is kind of weak.
I wonder if bill would pay living wage to workers to build these paper houses.
July 8, 2008 at 6:32 am
Larry Glass has the courage to use his real name here HumRed. How bout you?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 6:39 am
Confusing ‘command’ … that is.
July 8, 2008 at 8:15 am
Big A and his Alter ego “Humred” are still stinging about how Councilman Glass used the Muhammad Ali technique called “rope a dope” so effectively on him and his puppet Glazer.
July 8, 2008 at 8:20 am
I hate it that TS continues to allow trolls to write and leave
horrible comments about deceased people for unsuspecting
family members to read. They’ve hurt 100s. The “report
abuse” doesn’t work. The other day I read that a childhood
friend died in a car wreck. Someone commented that they
were LOL that she bashed her brains out on the dashboard.
This is common.
July 8, 2008 at 8:21 am
Hello Bill,
Why the fixation with people’s names? For one, I could never reveal who I am due to the severe right wing nature of the place I work; I would be subject to condemnation for just reading Heraldo’s insightful blog. Do you really want Heraldo to reveal who he might be as well?
People can make valid points whether they are anonymous or not. Attaching a name to a comment does not automatically give validity to it either.
July 8, 2008 at 8:27 am
HumRob you raise a fair question when you ask if I would pay people $10.00 an hour to build the Goddess of Democracy.
I faced a similar problem a couple of months ago when I launched the petition drive to raise the minimum wage here. It was suggested to me by a couple of people more experienced than I at local politics that I should pay people 50 cents a signature to collect signatures, in other words that I should employ professional gatherers. I am well aware that almost ALL successful initiative drives employ these gatherers, and that drives that don’t often fail.
However I chose not to use paid gatherers. I have been watching Paul Pitino (though I have not met him yet) and I admire his style of politics. Let’s try to keep the money out of politics as much as possible.
I did a calculation, based on my experience a petition gatherer may gather 10 sigs an hour in a very busy space. At 50 cents a sig (the going price) that is only $5.00 an hour, and you are right I think it would be hypocritical for me to go that route. Even if I doubled the amount it would still be piecework pay, and I don’t like that concept.
So yes, I could afford the extra $1,000 or so to use professionals and ensure it’s presence on the ballot though my finances are limited, or I can pursue the purer route and rely on volunteers and word of mouth, at a much higher risk of failure.
I choose to use volunteers. We will see the process through, it is educative for everyone.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 8:32 am
I haven’t asked anyone for their names unless they start lying about me or my motivations. If they do that they will have to come up with their name.
For instance if it is a city employee posting here about the bathroom situation in Old Town well it would be instructive to know it, as their position may be biased.
Some anon like you just raising a point is ok with me. As i have stated before, I am not opposed to anonymity. I post anon myself sometimes.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 8:40 am
No one lied about your motivations, Bill. You’re making that up.
July 8, 2008 at 8:45 am
Questioning your motivations isn’t lying about them Bill. You and your fellow homeless advocates are the most biased people commenting on the problem and your refusal to seriously consider concerns is what raises the suspicions. The weight you give to anonymous opinions is up to you, everyone can decide for themselves; but whether or not people have to give their names is not.
July 8, 2008 at 8:55 am
Heraldo, you commented the other day yourself on the anon attacks against me.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 8:57 am
They weren’t attacking your motives. Jane questioned someone’s motives (Kate’s, I think), but she didn’t “lie” about your motives.
July 8, 2008 at 9:03 am
Well Jane Doe,
You perpertrated the lie about the shitting in the doorway. When I called you on it you said that “Old Town merchants are complaining”. To me that indicates that you are a city employee.
Do you not think that the fact you are a city employee is relevant to the debate? Is this debate not about how the city government treats its most vulnerable people? You try to marginalize me as a “homeless advocate” I really have much broader interests than that. The homeless do need our help though, not just words.
Your solution seems to be like a leafblower, just blow the homeless to some other county and let them deal with the problem.
Maybe you got upset when I asked if you were a “liberal?” Don’t get excited I don’t use the words “liberal” or “conservative” as pejoratives, I have friends of both persuasions.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:05 am
Now who’s making accusations about other people’s motives?
July 8, 2008 at 9:07 am
I think that Jane Doe is a city employee. Don’t you Heraldo? Don’t you think that is relevant to the debate?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:08 am
I’ve never gotten that impression from Jane.
July 8, 2008 at 9:10 am
That is fine Heraldo, that is why we have discussions, to elicit the truth.
I never claim to have the Truth.
If Jane Doe doesn’t work for the city, let her say so. She can do that without revealing her identity.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:11 am
I do not now nor have I ever worked for the city. Do you really think people only talk about problems to city employees or is that just a dishonest way to discount opposing opinions? My “motives” are that I think we need a realistic solution to the homeless problem not a “plan” that will likely make them worse. NEVER have I even implied that the homeless should be driven out of Humboldt County to other places. That is a complete mischaracterization of everything I have said. Again, I have to question your motives when you sink to such despicable accusations rather than address the real concerns.
July 8, 2008 at 9:16 am
For the record, I am self-employed. I am not an elected official and don’t work for any government agences. I do have some clients who are decidedly conservative which is why I choose to use a pseudonym rather than my real name.
July 8, 2008 at 9:17 am
Jane Doe,
Both myself and several others have answered this question over and over again.
No we don’t believe that a homeless camp will draw homeless people from other areas.
You may believe otherwise but there is no evidence to support your view. Since you have no evidence you keep repeating the same lame question over and over again. It is a well know propaganda technique.
I will point out that in EVERY CITY where there is a HOMELESS population, there are always people who claim that the homeless “came here from someplace else” and all we have to do is “send them back where they came from.”
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:19 am
Again, the thread is diverted to the homeless issue bringing false accusations from other threads. It’s pointless to try to have an honest dialogue with these people.
July 8, 2008 at 9:30 am
FYI – The ER was designed by a firm in Virginia
July 8, 2008 at 9:33 am
Yes, exactly.
July 8, 2008 at 9:33 am
I am not the one who “diverted” this thread. scroll ^
Any person can have a peaceful open dialogue with me. You can walk up to me on the street and agree or disagree, no problem. Anonymous blog posters are not “persons.”
Here’s my suggestion Jane Doe. Log off and log back in with your real name. The “liberal” stuff that your “conservative” clients would object to will be buried with the Jane Doe ID. Then you can post your real ideas on how to solve the homeless situation with your real name and we can discuss it on an equal basis.
I am not making light of your real world problem with your conservative clients, it is just that people are dying and we need solutions now. If you have solutions that are better than a homeless camp lets hear them- but from a real person.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:35 am
I just won’t bother to respond to you at all in the future Bill. You have demonstrated an inability to discuss on a rational and honest basis and I can spend my time discussing with reasonable, honest people.
July 8, 2008 at 9:37 am
So the person who is using his real name is “dishonest” and the person using a pseudonym is “honest.” Wow.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:41 am
Using your real name doesn’t automatically make your arguments honest, Bill. That’s a bottom-of-the-barrel argument.
July 8, 2008 at 9:43 am
Did Jane imply at 935 that I am dishonest or not? Or am I just being oversensitive?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 9:47 am
Stop it.
July 8, 2008 at 9:50 am
OK Mike.
For you I will. You are a real person.
For you Mike I will shut up today.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 8, 2008 at 11:36 am
“Arkley wasn’t listed in the last Forbes list of billionaires.”
Lots of billionaires aren’t.
Most billionaires TRY to get on the list. Rob doesn’t. Others have no choice because their holdings are publicly disclosed (stock in corporations traded on NASDAQ or NYSE).
SN is privately owned by two people (Rob and Cherie). The company’s actual value (it fluctuates) is known to very few people. Forbes isn’t one of them.
Back in the early-to-mid 2000s SN peaked around $3b. Not sure how they’re faring the housing slump… the recent layoffs paint a bleak picture, and the slump ain’t over yet.
July 8, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I can’t believe that Rose Welsh hasn’t logged on today to attack Heraldo for being insufficiently subservient to Rob Arkley, Junior’s inherited fortune. All you need to know about the North Coast Journal is that Rose Welsh was one of the original founders of the NCJ, and the NCJ is printed at a discount rate by Arkley’s press. ‘Nuff said.
July 8, 2008 at 12:49 pm
The day is not over yet…..
July 8, 2008 at 1:23 pm
To Sarah,
The report abuse function in the Times-Standard comment section works after several people are offended by a given post, and click to report it. The problem results on a three-day weekend, when people aren’t in the office to catch the messages. When we get back in, we immediately review and remove truly offensive posts. My apologies if the lag time led to discomfort on the part of family members. But the system works, and we’ll continue to use it.
July 8, 2008 at 2:34 pm
only reason the TS is any better today than in 2000 is due to competition. This entire county could use a dose of competition. Wasnt till Brio opened on the plaza in Arcata that Los Bagels actually understood people werent standing in line for the fun of it, and some wanted to get in and out efficiently, now I can go into old town and be out with a bagel in 5 instead of 15 minutes. Competition is good. Communism is bad.
July 8, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Nothing wrong with competition,, it’s the motive behind the competition that is suspect. I doubt that Brio started up with the idea of driving Los Bagels out of business.
July 8, 2008 at 8:48 pm
In response to someone above who said ER printed letters from crackpots: that doesn’t mean they print all letters indiscriminately. There is some sort of filtering system going on. I wrote a letter in complaint about the behavior of EPD officers — it wasn’t a crackpot letter; I think it was well-reasoned and articulate — but the ER chose not to print it. Makes one wonder what IS their criteria for printing letters…
I have been reading the T-S forum comments, and the great number of trolls is truly alarming. Wacky people on both sides of issues (and the prevalent notion that there are only two sides to all issues). I agree with the person who noted incredibly insensitive comments left on stories about tragic deaths, etc. I have reduced my reading time there because of that.
July 8, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Predatory pricing (selling below cost) is a tactic to eliminate competition, not to compete, and it is rightly illegal.
July 8, 2008 at 9:14 pm
“…NCJ is printed at a discount rate by Arkley’s press…”
Western Web is efficient, high-quality and local. Would Anonymous 12:17 have the NCJ and the Eye go elsewhere?
July 8, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Nope, the Journal was founded by Tom and Mia Abate. It was a broadsheet, printed, I think, by their own Pioneer Press.
We turned it into a magazine style format – a monthly. Our competition then was the TS and the Northcoast View, and one other little alternative magazine that did stories on piercing. They folded. The View folded. The Journal went weekly. All long before the Er, and long before anyone knew who Rob Arkley was.
July 8, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Rose is attempting to confuse Anonymous 12:17 with the facts.
July 8, 2008 at 9:53 pm
One place where competition has blossomed to our good is in the insurance industry. Before the web, getting car insurance was a drag, you were at the mercy of the local agents.
Ok, there, I have finally found something positive to say. Moviedad
July 8, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Rose is just attempting.
July 8, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Honestly, if Eureka were not so powerfully politically divided, there would be no niche for TWO newspapers to fill. The area, and the advertising base, are too small to support two newspapers plus all the other publications. A smart businessperson would expand coverage to appeal to both sides, perhaps by relying on facts and giving equal time to all candidates for office.
If the ER can stay in business purely by appealing to the disgruntled and threatened long-time residents, then that just indicates how many disgruntled and threatened people there are around here. That is significant and needs to be taken into consideration in how this community develops. WHY is it appealing to some people? WHY are people not suspicious of Arkley’s motivations?
I think it is because people have seen Eureka deteriorate as some of the local industries died out. They strike out blindly at anything they think might be causing it: environmentalists, pot growers, crackheads, gangs, teenagers, homeless, liberals, etc. Arkley comes in with ideas that appear to clean the place up: a colorful newspaper printed on high-quality paper, a gorgeous performing arts venue, plans to develop the dilapidated waterfront. Pretty, shiny things like promises for a better town again.
July 9, 2008 at 6:13 am
Indie,
The Eureka Reporter doesn’t “stay in business” because it makes enough money to stay afloat. It is heavily subsidized by the Arkleys. With emphasis on “heavily.”
There are things to like about the ER, for sure. But those praising the ER should consider how unequal it is for publications such as the Times-Standard and the Journal to have to compete with a newspaper that has a sugar daddy, that doesn’t have to pay its own bills.
The Times-Standard is also burdened with having to send its profits to the corporate monster in Denver to cover huge losses at other newspapers, much larger dailies in the Bay area, the parent company recently purchased. Thanks to the hard work of some local residents and long-time employees of the T-S, the newspaper has made a financial success of its website.
This comes at a time when the Times-Standard’s parent company, Media News Group, is in near dire straights financially. MNG’s debt rating has been downgraded by Standard & Poor’s to almost junk bond level. The outlook for the company is pretty negative at the moment.
The Times-Standard truly is a local newspaper. It has gone through a number of ownership changes over its long and storied history. Right now it just happens to be owned by Media News Group.
What would be ideal, in my opinion, is for a group of local investors, who care about this community, to buy the Times-Standard from MNG and return it to its status as a locally owned and operated daily newspaper. This is wishful thinking on my part. But it would be a great gift to Humboldt County.
July 9, 2008 at 8:30 am
To James Faulk,
Thank you for responding. I feel that’s like closing the gate
after the horse is out. I’ve not been related to any of the
people that have been abused in the paper but I feel
terrible for the close relatives. Marianne’s children read that
piece about her brains being bashed out. I realize you like
the comment section the way it is but I would bet one day
it will be done away with when the right person is slandered.
I think there would be more intelligent comments if people
were made to register like the Eureka Reporter. I know
their comment section is pretty nonexistent since they
required that you register but I think if both papers did
it the cream would rise to the top. Thank you
July 9, 2008 at 9:06 am
Andrew Bird: That is a great idea; bring the TS home again!
July 9, 2008 at 9:21 am
Honestly, if Eureka were not so powerfully politically divided, there would be no niche for TWO newspapers to fill.
Not true. Every newspaper that ever started up here had dreams of knocking the TS out, in part because it was once SO bad. They don’t call it the sub-standard for nothing.
And the TS today is not that TS of old, it is better today on every level. Gone are the days when stories would cut off in mid-stream, not to be completed anywhere else in the paper. Typos are more rare. The quality of reporting is up.
Competition is good. And for the commenter above who thinks the ER only appeals to disgruntled oldtimers, the vast majority of people, new and old alike, are not into this political game at all, and they like the ER for what it is, a fine paper. They don’t buy into the anti-Arkley crap. And Andrew – you want ANOTHER gift to the community? You have one, and you spit on it. Good luck.
July 9, 2008 at 9:26 am
There is a third option — the T-S could assign 1-2 people to keep an eye on the comments and remove obviously inappropriate/offensive ones without relying on readers to repeatedly alert you.
The really nasty ones are obvious and can be caught with a quick scan.
July 9, 2008 at 9:33 am
It’s a one-person job and quite easy, though I’m sure if they have the power to do it. Is their use of topix.net a paid relationship or taking advantage of a preexisting free service?
July 9, 2008 at 9:33 am
Dang. I’m NOT sure if they have the power to do it.
July 9, 2008 at 9:38 am
Jane Doe….As a homeless advocate I must respond to your blanket statement about all homeless advocates being biased and unwilling to seriously consider the concerns of those opposed to a campground; the same could be said for you and others opposed, you do not acknowledge when we have answered your concerns to the best of our ability. It is a situation where we will not know what will really happen until it happens. I think that is the main concern; that there is a risk involved. My stand is on fair treatment to all human beings, if that is a bias then I’m guilty, but when there are human beings forced to live out in the open (because there is nowhere else for them to go) who are plagued day and night with abuse and scorn by passing motorists, police and “concerned citizens” I say enough! The only humane answer is a campground that solves many problems if only those opposed will take the time to look at the positives in a reasonable way, just as you ask us to do with your concerns.
I’m tired of hearing how homeless advocates “take over” threads….the subject comes up more often from those that are opposed to homeless people, we just answer the call.
July 9, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Speak of the devil. The TS’s garage sale listings are down. They host them on their other domain, northcoast101.com, which is now displaying a generic page for Doteasy web hosting.
July 9, 2008 at 8:23 pm
There is nothing wrong with being an advocate for those in need. It just becomes tiresome finding the thread in almost every topic. Over stating the point, no matter what the occasion, no matter what the topic of discussion is inappropriate and not in the best interests of your chosen cause. You run the risk of alienating those that might become helpful to that cause. The thread falls apart and readers say “What a bore”. It’s not your topic that is a bore, but your chiming in every ten minuets on a completely different forum.
July 9, 2008 at 8:29 pm
It’s those minuets that get ya.
July 9, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Nahhh, its the Chemtrails that’ll get ya every time…arrgh!!!
July 9, 2008 at 8:32 pm
But, kate you didn’t answer my questions – who’s going to cook? Where’s the food going to come from? If you are given a campground, are you to be given food? Firewood? Electricity? Gas? Cabins? Tents? Sleeping bags? Utensils? Or are you responsible for anything?
What about disputes? Who’s going to ‘police’ the campground? Regular cops? Or are you going to have your own homeless cops? If the people there hate cops the way you all seem to, then why would anyone want to come in and help you? Who’s going to pay for the ‘homeless police?’
It’s a whole lot more involved than just a campground…
July 9, 2008 at 8:48 pm
The Arcata Eye pwns you all! Kevin Hoover is da man!
July 10, 2008 at 7:05 am
I agree with the Moniter. Maybe start your own Homeless
Blog.
July 10, 2008 at 7:56 am
Sarah, I agree with you that some comments, especially anonymous comments can be very hurtful and downright cruel. I appreciate James Faulk’s response, and wonder if the T-S could have someone monitor the comments on the weekends as well as during the weekdays?
July 10, 2008 at 11:48 am
For Heraldo Matthews to cite the Sadvocate as a reference is truly sad and indicative of a complete lack of sense.
July 10, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Rose Welsh is defending Rob Arkley again. Why am I not surprised? Hey Rose, can you answer this question? How much $ did the billionaire bully give to Bush/Cheney for their election stealing campaigns? Answer that question, and then even someone as dense as you, Rose, will understand why the people of Humboldt County do not want any piece of Arkley’s right-wing extremism. Except for you, of course, Mrs.Welsh, and your favorite pro-GOP publications (Eureka Reporter, North Coast Journal, etc.).
July 10, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I’m defending Arkley again? Why? Because I said the Eureka Reporter is a fine paper? Sheee-it, is that all it takes?
The Journal is a PRO-GOP publication?!!?!? YOu have got to be kidding – KIDDING! – me!
You’ve lost your mind entirely. Beyond entirely.
July 10, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Wake up sheeple. The times-standard endorsed bush, endorsed schwarzenegger, endorsed wheetley and stillman, pretty much every insider control freak you could list in office. Journal backed cherie arkley too. These aren’t your heroes liberals, get a clue and stop supporting corporate media.
July 10, 2008 at 2:47 pm
It’s bewildering isn’t it? That we aren’t able to get along even in cyberspace. The notions of freedom and tolerance get lost somewhere in an exchange of alternate views. No wonder we’re stuck in an oil guzzling addiction (that we had a chance to treat in the 70’s), the thought of actually giving an alternative belief respect is spoken of but gets put on the denial that comes with all addictions.
My passion is to heal this horrible disease of hatred and disgust towards other human beings and when I get carried away then I hope that you will think seriously about what I say because if you decide that you will pay more attention to the fact that although you think you would never be homeless because you are better than they are then at least you will consider how you would feel laying there exhausted by the side of the road. Feel as a human exhausted laying by the same road that you are traveling. What is your duty to him?
July 10, 2008 at 2:49 pm
sorry…..put on the shelf of denial
July 10, 2008 at 2:56 pm
There was a young man killed in Hoopa last night. The
Times Standard isn’t allowing comments on that article.
Normally it would have many insults to Native Americans. I
sure hope it stays this way. It makes me so happy to know
there will be many unhappy trolls! It must be frustrating
for them to try and leave a comment.
July 10, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Sarah, don’t get it….
July 10, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Yes, squelching any dissent against the pro-cop coverage typical of the republican-owned times-standard, what an admirable tactic…
July 11, 2008 at 9:04 am
Wake up sheeple. The times-standard endorsed bush, endorsed schwarzenegger, endorsed wheetley and stillman, pretty much every insider control freak you could list in office. Journal backed cherie arkley too. These aren’t your heroes liberals, get a clue and stop supporting corporate media.
Thank you, this really can’t be stated often enough. KHUM is an out of town corporation owned by a stock trader too. None of these puppet media can be counted on when the chips are down and kids are getting shot in our city!
July 11, 2008 at 10:12 am
But we need an either/or dichotomy to make things simple for the stupid brainwashed public. You’re making things too complex by exposing the fake liberal establishment.
July 11, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Right-wing Rose Welsh helped found the North Coast Journal.
July 11, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Still smarting over Dave’s stunning defeat? Tee hee. Listen to the people next time.
July 11, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Dave Meserve can kiss my ass, I could care less about him. It’s got nothing to do with the so-called liberal media backing yuppie scum.
July 11, 2008 at 1:10 pm
KHUM and KSLG are local stations owned by Lost Coast Communications of Ferndale.
July 11, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Yeah, right, and that LCC is an LLC owned by Pat Cleary, yet another Wall Street exploiter looking to sell his fake liberal yuppie control trip on us. You don’t impress me, KHUM/SLG/WPT, with all your money you don’t have a single daily local news show, just pathetic that we’re left to rely on those hippies in Redway to give us a semblance of the nightly radio news we used to get on KHSU and on quality commercial stations since bought out by other stockbroker scum like you.
July 11, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Then you are terribly, terribly confused. Wheetley and Stillman are council members, not journalists. They don’t own any news media. Nor do they remotely qualify as yuppies.
July 11, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Anon 2:23 seems angry and confused, almost rabid.
July 12, 2008 at 2:49 pm
For Jane to call anyone confused is, well, confusing, since she just gets so many facts out of order. The fact is there’s no local news radio shows in northern humboldt, and yes, this is a problem these so-called local stations dont seem to care about.
July 13, 2008 at 1:44 am
Well, I must admit I’ve ALWAYS wondered why KMUD has the only half-hour radio news. Did anyone in Northern Humboldt (sorry, I’m in Northern Mendocino, and I don’t know these things) EVER have a regular evening newscast?
July 13, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Good to see there’s at least one local journalist willing to ask some real questions, Cristina, it’s a great credit to you (as well as a great embarrassment for the so-called award wining publications around here who can’t be bothered).
KHSU had a great half hour nightly news wrap-up much like KMUD. Dave Silverbrand originally moved here from his nightly TV news job in Maine to be the news director for KHSU. Of course incompetent HSU administrators letting advancement funds getting robbed blind by embezzling employees led to the axe for many “auxiliary programs” like the radio station, which ripped out most of what made KHSU useful to the community, with the news director spot first on the chopping block. Supposedly they’re hiring for a new one all these years later, but there’s still no evidence that they’ll actually bring the news show back.
July 13, 2008 at 1:40 pm
KHSU and KMUD don’t have to make a profit as both are subsidized with tax dollars. Expecting privately owned stations to offer the same services is unfair.
July 14, 2008 at 8:38 am
Right, so let’s all just lower our expectations and expect mediocrity from the fake local stations like KHUM.
July 14, 2008 at 8:50 am
You could change to another station that offers what you like. It’s not like they are the only options.
July 14, 2008 at 9:11 am
KHUM is great. Lots of talk about local happenings by local people.
Tomorrow morning at 8 Cliff will talk to Harbor Commissioner Mike Wilson about the coming (plague) of Goldman Sachs.
July 14, 2008 at 9:20 am
Yeah, lots of talk, so long as you don’t mind excluding about 30% of the electorate who don’t care for your two party monopoly. KHUM is part of the problem, which is why they’re going downhill ad revenue wise just like the rest of the mainstream media. Burn baby, burn!
July 15, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Jane Doe, KMUD is not subsidized by tax dollars. KHSU is, obviously an extension of HSU and gets money from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Big difference, KMUD has relied on community donations.
I always heard the NC Journal went weekly as a concession to a non-local media company that was planning to buy the NC Journal back in the late 90’s. The deal fell through and the Journal managed to survive.
I think Hank Simms is a real old-school journalist. Not a fan of some of the Journal’s past staff, just glad they gave up writing.