Village Squire, 1976-06, Page 20CELEBRATE
newspapers for quite a while.
The potential for bitterness between the
opposing newspapers is strong because in
most cases, the young newspapers are staffed
by rebellious former staffers from the senior
papers.
The Kincardine Independent, the oldest of
the new newspapers was founded by former
Kincardine News editor Eric Howald. The
first issue of the Independent hit the streets
in April 1975 and after a year it seems solidly
entrenched. Since the new year the paper has
been averaging 24-28 tabloid pages (small
pages about 12 inches by 18 inches) per week.
That's not as fat as the older News, but then
the Independent also has a lower overhead.
Eric and sister Nancy, who also formerly
worked at The News set up shop in Eric's
home at first and the office remained there for
four months. Now the paper operates out of
modern, if somewhat cramped quarters in a
shopping mall in downtown Kincardine.
While fhey started with rudimentary
typesetting equipment they've moved up
recently to the computerized photo -electronic
typesetting equipment that has become so
popular with weekly newspapers. The paper
was distributed to about 4000 homes in
Kincardine, Ripley, and Tiverton during the
early months on a free basis. This February it
moved to the paid circulation.
Feelings between the two opposition
newspapers seem to be especially intense in
Kincardine. There seems to be a reluctance to
say anything that will add fuel to the fire but
at the same time a reluctance to give out any
free information that might help the other
side in what many seem to think is a battle to
the finish between the two newspapers.
Up the lakeshore in Port Elgin, it's no
battle to the finish, at least as far as Jim
Donnelly, editor of the young Reporter is
concerned. The effervescent native of
Northern Ireland who came to Canada last
year believes there is room for both his paper
and the Beacon Times, an amalgamated
paper taking in the old Southampton Beacon
and the Port Elgin Times. The two papers,
both owned by Harold Wyonch of Wiarton
were combined after several members of the
Times quit to start the Reporter last October.
"We don't believe in opposition," Mr.
Donnelly says. "Like the French Canadians,
the Reporter will always be there. I'm not
aware of any battle."
Indeed, his optomism for the ability of the
rapidly growing north Bruce area to support
two newspapers seems well founded. The
Beacon Times remains strong, but the
Reporter is averaging 32 to 44 tabloid pages
per week. Starting with a free circulation of
2100 copies, it now prints 4800. It began
switching to paid subscribers in January and,
Mr. Donnelly says, signed up 1200 in the first
week. Since then it has averaged 30-40 new
subscribers a week.
The talkative Irishman left Ireland after
being wiped out by the sectarian welfare
there. He came to Canada in October last year
after a career in newspapers and magazines
in Ireland and was set to take a job at the
Kitchener -Waterloo Record when he heard of
the opening in Port Elgin. He chose the
lakeside job instead. In -November, Jay
Causley, a local real estate man who had been
one of the founders of the paper along with
18, VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1976
PIONEER SPECIAL OFFER
Now At Prices Never Before Offered In Canada!
is
[LIMITED TIME ONLY]
(1,1) PioNecn
AM/FM STEREO RECEIVERS
The World's Largest Seller In Stereo Equipment
Model SX -434
(15 Watts & 15 Watts)
Model SX -535
(20 Watts & 20 Watts)
Model SX -636
(25 Watts & 25 Watts)
Model SX -737
(35 Watts & 35 Watts)
11 Ontario
Street,
Reg. 299.95 Sale $239.
379.95
439.95
519.95
X1111511:
$299.
$349.
$399.
Stratford
271.29611
READY
We Have
Very Special
Gifts For
That Very
Special Guy
Corner Montreal St.
and The Square
GODERICH