whitewaternews.ca is now in its second year of publication.
While I know there is a lot of news, community and sporting events, I know not all of them have been covered or published in this newspaper.
Writing and publishing a weekly newspaper is almost like a seven-day-a-week operation, although many people don’t see that. There are interviews and meetings to attend; then it’s writing the stories and checking the photos taken; uploading onto the website and laying out the four pages that are printed each week.
To do this, I am paid 45 hours a month with a small travel stipend, since I do deliver the papers to various stores in the township.
However, it takes almost double that time most months, which I see as my volunteer time to the community. I enjoy writing and taking pictures and keeping the community informed of what’s happening. But, to be honest, I’m still not covering the municipality like I use to do when I was paid for 40 hours each week. I have to remember that while volunteering is great, I need to have a life outside of the paper.
To be successful, this venture needs financial backing. It was Joe Kowalski, a local businessman most people know, who decided Whitewater Region had been without a newspaper long enough. It was 19 months between the last issue of the Cobden Sun and the first issue of whitewaternews.ca
It took quite a chunk of change to get this paper going so people interested in what is happening in this area can be kept informed. It also takes money to keep it operational.
A year ago, Joe asked me if I would be the editor, which also meant the reporter, photographer and website operator (although I only upload stories and photos, I don’t work on the site).
I’ve recently taken on the job of preparing the advertising sliders for the website. It’s taking me a bit longer to catch on to that job.
To Joe I say THANK YOU for ensuring the residents of Whitewater Region and those interested in what’s happening here, have a way of getting some of the news.
To the readers, I say thank you for your moral support over the past year. There have been times when it’s been difficult for me to attend events and you have been able to take photos or send in write-ups. Thank you. There are also those who send in press releases regarding issues outside of this township, such as what our MPP and MP are up to, our county and area hospitals, etc. To those people, I also extend a thank you.
I want you all to remember — this is your newspaper. It’s a newspaper to keep people informed of what’s happening within the confines of the Township of Whitewater Region and various institutions within the County of Renfrew. It’s a large area and without a way of keeping connected, we would not be able to support each other.
There is one thing I want you all to remember. This paper, the hard copy of which there aren’t many printed (I admit), and the online edition, are available for free. If you want to financially help to ensure this paper continues to keep you all informed, make a donation or advertise — we won’t say no.
So, let’s continue to work together in Year Two so we are all informed of what’s happening in our wonderful municipality.
— editor Connie Tabbert
