Opinion

PAGE A4

www.thermopir.com

Our view
Sticking around

October 27, 2016

Blast from the Past

The Internet is not the latest, greatest thing to

come along and threaten to upend the newspaper industry.
In 1927, Charles Lindberghs historic flight across
the Atlantic Ocean was covered by Fox Movietone
News. It sparked rumors and fears of the end of the
newspaper industry.
The advent of radio news and later, television broadcasts, led to the more rumors that newspapers were
done as an industry.
But ink and pulp have persevered.
Not every newspaper from 100 years ago is still
around, but many of the ones that are left are stalwarts of what good journalism should be.
Journalism should be about researching deeply,
presenting information accurately, and holding our
elected officials accountable. It should not focus on
getting views or clicks or traffic to a website.
The Internet is an awesome and powerful tool but
online journalism is not working as a business model. And newspapers present more than simple rumor
and arguments, as have become commonplace on the
Internet.
A recent study of 51 major newspapers showed their
average online readership to be about a third of their
print readership.
Though circulation of print newspapers may be
dropping, print still reaches more than twice as many
readers as its digital counterpart.
For more than a year, and after decades of growth,
that number has remained steady, causing the industry
experts to wonder if their digital audience has peaked.
Print revenues still account for 82 percent of total
newspaper revenue.
Online readers flock to aggregator or non-newspaper sites instead of spending time with giants such
as the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times.
But 66 percent of online users prefer the print version of their newspaper.
From a business standpoint, it was a mistake for
newspapers to run headlong towards the web a
mistake that cost the industry millions of dollars and
worse, inferior journalism.
The tangible, accountable journalism that readers
expect from their news sources still comes from print.
This paper has been a fixture in Hot Springs County for over a century.
And we plan to stick around for another century.

We appreciate receiving letters to the

editor and regard them as our readers opportunity to improve our community, express
their beliefs and communicate through the
Thermopolis Independent Record.
All letters must be signed, with a telephone number and address listed for
verification of the source and to assist with
clarifications. Unsigned or libelous letters
are discarded.
All letters to the editor are edited for
clarity, style, brevity and accuracy.
The number of letters which one author
may write per month is limited.
Advertising products and services or
thanking specific businesses or people is
not allowed, and that portion is removed.
Criticism of specific individuals or businesses are also not allowed.
Because of space limitations and for fairness to political candidates, the Independent
Record does not accept letters of endorsement or opposition of political candidates
nor do we allow support of or opposition to
election ballot issues.
Letters may be delivered to 431 Broadway, mailed to P.O. Box 31, faxed to 8645711 or e-mailed to news@thermopir.com.

From the Oct. 26, 1989 Thermopolis Independent Record.

Letter to the editor

Forever grateful for help finding rings

To the good people of Thermopolis, We want

to thank you for the treasure that you have in
Hot Springs State Park and the good people who
work there. At the end of August we stopped
in Thermopolis to enjoy the hot springs on our
way home from visiting family and friends in
the Southwest.
I removed my wedding rings before enjoying the mineral springs and, somehow, lost

Mark's Musings
By Mark Dykes
Its almost here. The day when
everyone hits the polls unless
they chose to fill out an absentee
or early ballot. Its almost time for
the big top to come down on the
political circus for a couple more
years. I make this reference only
in regard to the presidential election, much like I have since frontrunners Clinton and Trump were
announced. It almost seemed like
a bad joke just a few months ago,

them between the locker room and my car. We

reported the loss to the police and received excellent help there.
When we returned to the pool, the people
on duty that day diligently helped us search,
even checking the laundry. The young man at
the desk found my wedding band before we had
to leave town. That gave us hope. And, sure
enough, someone visiting the springs later that

and now in a couple weeks one or

the other will be leading our country for the next four years.
Considering the options for President, my mind started considering if there have been other points
in United States history when our
options seemed a bit outlandish or
against the norm. Certainly there
were those who didnt think actor
Ronald Reagan was suited for the
job, nor did they think Jess Ventura
or Arnold Schwarzenegger would

who have stepped up to that plate, I

applaud you. The race is nearly run
now and Im sure some, if not all, of
you are ready for a break from the
campaigning.
To those considering public office,
though this years run is up, I encourage you to keep those thoughts
to the forefront. Im looking forward
to seeing what the results across the
town, county, state and country are,
and what the change if any of
political leadership will bring us.

Mail this form with your check to Box 31 or bring it to our office
at 431 Broadway, Thermopolis, WY 82443.
Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________

Lara Love
Publisher/Editor

Mark Dykes
Assistant Editor

Cindy Glasson
Reporter/Photographer

Town_______________________________________________
State___________________________________
Zip__________

A MEMBER OF THE WYOMING PRESS ASSOCIATION

An independent weekly newspaper dedicated to the best interests
of the people of Hot Springs County for more than a century.
Postmaster: Send any address changes to P.O. Box 31,
Thermopolis, WY 82443.

make good governors. But, the fact

remains, these people went on to
hold political office.
The point Im trying to make here
is that anyone can run for political office, and if they happen to be
driven or charismatic enough they
certainly stand a chance at winning. The same can be said here on
a local level. It takes a lot of guts to
put oneself out there and run for political office, or rally behind a cause
they are passionate about. To those

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Official Newspaper of Hot Springs County

and the Town of Thermopolis, Wyoming
Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri.
Deadlines: Legal advertising: Monday, 5 p.m.; display advertising
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noon; Regular display advertising: Tuesday noon

Scott and Holly Moseley, Camp Crook, SD

An election reflection

MEET OUR STAFF

Thermopolis
Independent Record

day or the next found my engagement ring and

turned it in.
Both rings are unique and sentimental to us
and we were overjoyed to have them returned.
Many, many thanks to the crew at the state
park and pool for their good work. We will be
back to enjoy your lovely town.

Amber Geis
Advertising

Dennis Nierzwicki
Graphic Design

Donna Pennoyer
Graphic Design

Subscription rates:
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Outside Wyoming ... $54

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