Despite changes, it's still my paper

Oh boy. Never dull around here.

The Chronicle’s announcement Thursday that starting April 1 it will cease publication of Sunday/Monday print editions and, at the same time, stop home delivery through carriers, was certainly met with plenty of opinions on the Just Wright Citrus Facebook page.

Before I get into it, let’s just breathe a little, OK?

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This is a business decision and not a reflection on what Chronicle folks think of Citrus County and their readers. Try not to take it personal. Knowing some of the longtime journalists there, I can’t imagine the agony of telling readers they won’t be able to sit with coffee and newspaper on Sunday mornings as they have for decades.

Some observations:

— My first job out of college was at the Pioneer in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was a six-day morning daily, no Sunday paper, and delivered by mail. Ugh. No one but the bean counters liked it.

Many Just Wright Citrus readers on Thursday called out the Chronicle for suggesting mail delivery was more efficient than newspapers delivered early morning by carriers. Editor Jim Gouvellis said the newspaper will be “delivered reliably” by the U.S. Postal Service, causing some to jokingly wonder whether Jim has any experience with the mail.

While we certainly appreciate the difficulty of getting reliable carriers, it’s a stretch to say newspaper customers are better off with mail delivery.

For one, as many noted, few people get their mail in the morning. Mine comes mid-afternoon. Fine for mail, not so fine for a morning newspaper.

Plus, while we have a mailbox at the new Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson, the corporate mailing address is a P.O. box. Many other people get their mail at the post office as well. Not sure how newspaper delivery works for a post office box.

And it’s just plain annoying when a federal holiday falls on a weekday. President’s Day? No paper delivered. The Fourth of July is on Thursday this year. No mail delivery that day. We'll receive our July 4 newspaper on July 5.

(The Chronicle folks say print subscribers have access to the online edition, which is available daily regardless of the calendar. That's true, but it ignores the reality that some people are used to a print newspaper at their doorsteps every morning at 6. Online is quite the curve for those folks.)

From my standpoint, mail delivery is the biggest drawback of this plan.

— Not thrilled that the Sunday and Monday newspapers will be online exclusively, but the concept of a “weekend” paper coming out on Saturday is not new. Lots of metro newspapers have done the same thing.

Sunday newspapers rarely contain breaking news. And deadlines for Sunday’s newspaper are usually much earlier than weekday editions.

Still…I want my Sunday paper on Sunday. This will take some getting used to.

— I read the newspaper every day. Not an online version. I sit on my porch with a cold Gatorade Zero, Buddy resting nearby, and take my time going from page to page. It’s relaxing, and enjoyable.

I realize there are many people like me. I started my morning newspaper habit at age 10 and haven’t let up. It’s a way of life, and now it's being messed with.

Scrolling the Chronicle each morning on my phone or laptop — where’s the fun in that? 

That said, these Chronicle people are correct. Online is the today and tomorrow. Who knows better than me? I retired from a 34-year print career, and a week later had shifted completely to online news. I see both sides of this coin. 

— Some Chronicle readers are angry and say they’re quitting their subscription. OK, fair enough. Now what? While there are a few decent Citrus County-based online chat groups (and one really cool blog), nowhere has the breadth of community news like the Chronicle. That’s just reality. To stay plugged in with general Citrus County life it’s best to read the Chronicle.

— Let’s not forget the Chronicle employees who will have to endure this transition. It won’t be fun. These men and women are our friends, and this whole thing wasn’t their idea either. Keep that in mind, OK?

I was going to hold off a few days saying anything about this. Your reaction to Thursday morning’s post suggested it needed more immediate attention.

I’ll miss the Sunday and Monday print editions; eventually I won’t. The Chronicle’s challenge is to stay relevant during these turbulent times. Readers help by demanding excellence of their hometown newspaper.

Reader criticism at least shows people care. Judging by their reaction Thursday, they care a lot.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

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