PEAK TO PEAK - We’re back on the roller coaster.
Earlier this week, the National Newspaper Association notified us that we should be lobbying for the termination of Postmaster Louis DeJoy as a result of the devastation into which he has thrust the Postal Service during his tenure. The most emergent issue was a proposed rate increase as high as 11.6% scheduled for July, planned to be voted on in April.
Then yesterday, March 24, it was announced that DeJoy had resigned! Hallelujah!
There was hope that the increase would be eliminated by the USPS Board of Governors, or at least postponed until a new Postmaster General has time to evaluate the negative impact rate hikes have had on mail volume, and to chart a new positive course to rebuild mail volume and customer confidence.
But by yesterday evening we heard that President Trump had fired the current Board, almost certainly with the intention of replacing it with new members willing to continue DeJoy’s campaign of attrition. (Remember: it was Trump, during his first term, who appointed DeJoy with the aim of degrading the USPS so far that the “only” solution is for it to be privatized.)
Why is this such a vital issue for us at The Mountain-Ear? We count on our subscribers to support our paper. And every time postage goes up, so does our cost in sending the paper to you. We’ve been absorbing that cost so far without passing it on to you, our subscribers.
This is now the second threat to our survival in the last few weeks, after learning about the proposed tariff on Canadian newsprint.
And we ALL know what a disappointment that would be for all of us who count on The Mountain-Ear to be there for us.
Especially now that we have released our GORGEOUS new publication, Body Mind Spirit! Have you seen a copy yet? It’s on stands in the region from Estes Park to Idaho Springs, with all the communities and canyons in between.
In its second year, Body Mind Spirit has over a dozen stories by Omayra Acevedo, Mindy Leary, Christopher Kelley, Wes Isenhart, Deb D’Andrea and Moriah Day. There are multiple lists of advertisers and ads from health related businesses across the region. And an awesome list of hot springs in Colorado.
I want to say a special thanks to all of our contributors, all of our advertisers and to David Sockrider for the beautiful painting that is our front cover, as well as the layout and design. And to Jessica LaFone for last minute edits to our design and for getting the publication off to press.
We also couldn’t do any of this without our amazing editors, Sara Sandstrom and Lynn Hirshman.
As well, to Bethany Haas and Amanda MacDonald. Amanda took over ad sales in the middle of this publication and both were integral to making the guide a success.
And, as always, thank you to Christian Vanek for his continued support of the newspaper and the guides we work on. We literally couldn’t do it, without the continued support.
The Mountain-Ear is YOUR community source for news, covering what you want to read, and what you need to know, since 1977. Reach us anytime by phone at 303-810-5409 or email at info@themountainear.com. For advertising call 720-960-2900 or email adsales@themountainear.com.
