Dear City Council,
I think its a terrible idea to charge local newspapers fees for newspaper
racks in Menlo Park. I read about this possibility in a recent Daily Post,
which illustrates its value in keeping us informed. The fees seem very
excessive for small publishing firms. The local free press contributes to
our local democracy through a more informed local population. The articles
help advance a broader perspective on topics to reduce polarized views.
Surely this is helpful to civil debate and public engagement. Imagine if
you added those fees and people found about it later. Better to have the
free press alerting people to important topics before the City Council
votes!
The local papers add to my quality of life in Menlo Park. I look forward
to Mondays and reading Dave Prices column and I go out of my way to get
the Daily Post and the Daily Journal should a rack be empty! (The Almanac
is mailed to my home.) I often then stop to get a bite to eat (or coffee)
at a local Menlo Park restaurant while I enjoy my paper! The Daily Journal
includes nationwide news, which I appreciate, along with county-wide news
that I learn about in the Daily Journal. I am much more informed thanks to
our local free press.
I like holding a paper in my hands. I receive the Mercury News and the SF
Chronicle via email, but I often do not read them as I dont like reading
online. (I supplement with the weekly news digest magazine, "The Week." ) I
stay more informed thanks to the high-quality Daily Post and the Daily
Journal papers.
Please remove newspaper rack fees from consideration. The free press needs
all the support we can give it right now. Many newspapers have folded
around the country and/or lost subscribers due to the expense of a paper
being delivered. Our broader democracy is very much at stake due to the
increased polarization and decline in civility. I believe much of this
stems from the decline of the free press and people receiving most/all of
their news from biased, distored or polarized sources.
Sincerely,
Lynne Bramlett
650-380-3028
