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Peak Perspectives: Continued partnership with the county

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GILPIN COUNTY - At the January 14 meeting of the Gilpin County Commissioners, The Mountain-Ear (TME) and the Weekly Register-Call (WRC) performed their annual dance/duel in competition to be the newspaper of record for Gilpin County.

As you will read in the account of the meeting (on page 25), The Mountain-Ear once again finished with the perfect pirouette and bow. 

Time constraints—the BoCC had other business at hand, after all—made it impossible for Managing Editor Barbara Hardt to express ALL of the excellent reasons TME is the right newspaper for the entire Peak to Peak area, not just for Gilpin County, which was the WRC’s main and really only point.

For one, TME won a number of Colorado Press Association awards for 2024. 21 members of our superb staff won awards—and our publisher as well, who was awarded the prize for Innovation.

Challenged by the WRC as to our validity in representing Gilpin County, we could have responded with exactly how many of our staff (including the Managing Editor) actually live in Gilpin. 

Hardt could have added information about the many exciting modifications TME has  made to its suite of products: a new website; a new strong emphasis on podcasts highlighting local and regional issues and events; a string of supportive publications spotlighting health and wellness, food and drink, artists and artisans.

She could have mentioned TME’s effort to engage high school and university students as interns, to help build a new generation of writers for the paper.

And in terms simply of pluck and determination, Hardt dealt with the alarming closure of our long-term printer and found a new one, having to address the new printer’s major change of format as well.

At the end of the Commissioners’ meeting, TME Senior Journalist Mindy Leary said, on the record:

“On behalf of The Mountain-Ear newspaper, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to this board for entrusting us with the honor of serving as the newspaper of record for Gilpin County.

“We are profoundly aware of the responsibility that comes with this role and are committed to upholding the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and integrity in reporting the matters that impact our community.

“The appointment is not only a testament to the work we have done but also a reflection of the trust you place in us to serve as a link between our county government and its citizens. We take this trust seriously and will continue to ensure that our publication serves as a reliable and accessible resource for all.

“Thank you again for this opportunity. We are eager to continue our partnership with the County.”