Dear readers
I spoke to you just one month ago – on the occasion of our one-year anniversary of ownership – regarding the long road of progress The Chronicle had made in better serving you, and our hopes for the future.
Then COVID-19 happened.
We find ourselves in extraordinary circumstances today. Right up front, I’m letting you know this is an appeal for financial support on behalf of The Chronicle and the communities it serves.
As readers, you understand the value of a free press and what community journalism means to rural and small towns. Yes, there is a watchdog role to make sure those in trusted positions fulfill their duties legally and with decency. The added-value of The Chronicle, however, is in the unique-and-differentiating content we provide – coverage of family, friends and neighbors – that all other media has abandoned. And we do it with the credibility and community standards that social media doesn’t deliver.
Today especially, the paper’s utilitarian value in providing life-saving and life-affirming information is essential. Journalists have been deemed “essential” employees, as well. That means we are front-line workers. Indeed, our small but courageous reporters are “in the field” and dedicated to serving these communities.
People have stepped up to help, already. The folks who developed our new website, Oregon natives, have given us favorable financing. It has allowed us to offer the entire site for free at this critical time and super-serve readers. Many advertisers continue to utilize The Chronicle to get their message to clients and potential customers. Government, health and public safety officials are counting on The Chronicle to disseminate and explain vital information.
We just published the Creswell Chamber of Commerce’s Visitors and Newcomers Guide, featuring all of the “gems” of Creswell – the small businesses that support and sustain our communities. We continue to produce, print and distribute the weekly paper, and make sure chronicle1909.com is relevant on a 24/7 basis.
Not all advertisers have stayed with us as their businesses have closed; in many cases, we’ve continued to run advertising to keep their “brands” visible during the hard times. The Chronicle’s revenue has dropped off a cliff.
We’ve asked you to support local businesses since the day we arrived; there is a bit of enlightened self-interest, of course. We are, after all, a small business, too. So, humbly, in the spirit of serving the community with important news, information, features, free obituaries and so much more, we’re asking for your financial support to keep us alive.
Thank you in advance for reading and considering any donation.
Sincerely
Noel and Denise Nash, co-owners
