City Council needs to stop listening to Councillor Dawn Luhning when it comes to communications. She’s lost in her small world and doesn’t seem to realize there are many people who still like to read newspapers and paper books. She should take a walk through the library located in Crescent Park, in case she doesn’t know where it is. It’s a good place to find many newspapers and people reading them.
Luhning told the January 25th Council Meeting that since newspapers are “ancient and outdated,” the City of Moose Jaw should conduct its advertising on social media since that’s where everyone congregates.
Obviously, Luhning once again shows her lack of knowledge about advertising and communications. You need to advertise where people go, and not everyone is on social media! She should get off her high horse and look at a copy of the Moose Jaw Express. She’ll find some great stories about local business; read about our local sports teams; what’s happening in the arts community and at our local high schools; and of course, coverage of local news and community events with pictures. Oh, and she’ll be surprised how many local businesses effectively advertise in the paper to reach residents in our community.
I find it interesting that Craig Hemingway, City Communications Manager and former local radio announcer, confirmed to council that City Hall spends money regularly advertising with the radio station. What about print media, Mr. Hemingway?
The City has a responsibility to communicate with all citizens of Moose Jaw and that includes using all media — from social media to print.
Many of us had hoped for better communication from our elected councillors and City Hall after the last election, but it appears Luhning’s famous quote from last year, ‘who gives a rat’s ass about print media’ could spread like a virus through City Hall if she has her way. I’m sure the City is happy to collect property taxes from the print media in town. Perhaps I’m wrong and City Council could, to quote Luhning, ‘give a rat’s ass’ about these newspaper and print businesses in our city, the people they employ, and the businesses that use their services.
Let’s hope Council doesn’t take its cue from Luhning when it looks at where most people go for their information and where the city could reach a wider array of people. I suppose an effort could be made to learn what we citizens think, provided it’s done using more than social media.
Fellow print media readers I encourage you to contact City Councillors and the Mayor by phone or email and let them know you read and rely on the local paper for information. Let’s refute Luhning’s assumption that newspapers are outdated and everybody is on social media. FYI: I’m not.
-- A.W. Allan,
Moose Jaw
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
