I notice that occasionally when someone comes to me to talk about a story I’ve written or with a tip related to a story I may begin researching, I’ll hear them apologize for not subscribing to the paper. Now, of course, I would like for more people to buy the paper. The newspaper, I feel, is a public service and without it keeping local government accountable and the populace informed, things would be much more difficult. Without readers and subscribers, we don’t have circulation and without circulation, we don’t have advertisers. Without advertisers and readers, we can’t afford the rising cost of ink and newsprint. And without a free press, well, with Independence Day upon us in a few days, why not defer to the authors of the Declaration of Independence and an original signer of the Constitution, Thomas Jefferson?

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter,” Founding Father Thomas Jefferson once mused.  

I’ve been told if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain. With all that said, I am reminded of times I’ve ever written any public official at any level of government. I simply share my thoughts or concerns and any corroborating information or background and sign off as “your constituent.” And you know what, if you’re reading this newspaper or in our coverage area, you are my constituent. Not only my constituent but a patron of the free press and part of the thin black-and-white line between the free press and breakdown of accountability. And without accountability, any chance for “redress of grievances” kind of flies out the window.  

Maybe you’re not that “civically engaged,” and I can’t say I blame you. We are dealing with a crisis in governance at all levels since the pandemic brought us an odd mix of inflation and recession conditions. A friend asked me earlier this year how it was I got so interested in local history and politics. I wasn’t always interested myself and must admit that though I’ve never voted in a presidential election, I have proudly cast my ballot in local elections a few times and will continue to.  

It’s odd to consider how people can carry a dual meaning of certain words. “Politics,” for instance, can refer to a system of government, but it’s also got a second, more pejorative meaning. “That’s just politics,” people will say of a situation where egos and ideologies make any positive change unlikely. But maybe if we would take the time to get a little more engaged, and keep up with what is going on in our neck of the wood, maybe we could enact some occasional positive change. 

So don’t just get demotivated over disenfranchisement. Do something about it. Attend public meetings, bring public comment to City Hall and write letters to the editor of your local newspaper when you have thoughts to share with local officials and your fellow citizens.

Standard reporter Philip Fairbanks can be reached at (931) 473-2191.