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Comments:
Michael McC. - 2004-02-08 19:57:46 Dumb question, Michael: what is ROI? Rental-owned income? Would zoning laws control the amount of out-of-town landlord ownership?* * * * * * * * * * * * Jim Manheim - 2004-02-08 21:02:29 The ROI (return on investment) angle was certainly played up in the Snooze story today. We and many others are united in disappointment with the Ann Arbor News ... and there's something I've always wondered about. Why is it so hard to start competing papers in metropolitan areas? Consider, say, the Petoskey News-Review. Last time I checked, it had a circulation of about 10,000. They cover a huge territory, sending trucks to little towns all over the northwestern LP, which must be quite an expense. If you pick one up you find some ads and maybe a supermarket or hardware store circular, but it's not like there are enormous numbers of ads. Yet the paper keeps on going. A similar description could be applied to, say, the Monroe Evening News. So why can't this be replicated in Ann Arbor (or elsewhere in a larger city)? Surely there are 10,000 people who would rather read something other than the Ann Arbor News! Part of the answer may be that the Petoskey News-Review probably pays its staff writers about $7.00 an hour, but nobody ever got rich working for the News either. There must be some reason it wouldn't work. Any idea? * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-02-08 21:57:32 I think the Ann Arbor Paper is taking a stab at it, at least on the arts-entertainment side. Pro: they do some hip stuff, such as the recent interview with Mark Maynard and his wife Linette. Con: the writing quality is uneven, with some articles that clearly were not whipped into shape by a good editor.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anonymous - 2004-02-09 10:12:54 The Ann Arbor Paper also prints my comic, something which I am very appreciative of... And I like all the photos of kids drinking in clubs. It's nice to see what kind of stuff goes on in places like "Club Divine", places that I'll never visit.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-02-09 20:05:56 I also like "Anonymous"'s comic, and those club pictures too, for the same reason; it is interesting.* * * * * * * * * * * * Murph - 2004-02-09 23:00:39 Well, Jim--or should I say, "Editor Manheim"--when're you going to start recruiting writers?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-02-10 00:19:42 Murph, I see what you're saying, but, with all respect, just in my opinion and speaking from personal experience, Mr. Manheim in general is very well-informed and knows what he's talking about, even if he may not be in a position to start a whole new paper...In sum these comments sound like a groundswell to establish a new Ypsilanti daily...if so, what form would it take?* * * * * * * * * * * * mark - 2004-02-10 10:11:29 I would suggest that it isn't necessary... Perhaps what might be nice is a page that aggregated Ypsi blogs... giving perhaps the first sentence or two of each recently posted article. That might be fun. Perhaps an editor could run the page and sellect the stories that are linked to. That would add a little more control... and the person could filter out stories not appropriate for the community at large. (By appropriate I don't mean non-offensive, I mean not relevant to our community.) Somewhere on the page could be a list of bands and events. And people could sign up to cover meetings and events... Steve could do a crime blotter. Someone could take original photos. It would be cool... I volunteer to serve on the board and the coordinating committee to get it launched, if someone wants to the the hard work.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-02-10 21:05:57 Mark, what an amazing idea...now I'm thinking about it...* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: |