[Vision2020] be a Town Crier

[Bill London]

Hey, I did it.  It was fun.  The Daily News gave me the podium and I got to blab about whatever I wanted.....You can do it too.....There's some good writing here on V2020 (you know who you are)...please consider sharing it with a wider audience...(how to sign up details below from today's DN).....BL

FROM THE PUBLISHER: A call for Town Criers

By Nathan Alford

Saturday, August 25, 2007 - Page Updated at 12:00:00 AM

We billed it as an "experiment in civic journalism" almost four years ago.

It started in November 2003. We call it Town Crier.

Each Wednesday we reserve space for a full-length column on our opinion page. It's not for traditional journalists, syndicated columnists or professional pundits.

Instead, it's reserved for you - the reader.

The goal was to encourage real conversations led by a mix of Palouse people with varied backgrounds.

What issues matter the most to you? We hoped, and now believe, that the open access approach works like a wide-angle lens on our opinion page, capturing a mix of regional opinion.

It represents our fierce commitment to preserving a free and open local press.

Which leads us to this invitation: You are invited to join our newest class of contributing writers - Town Crier III.

The two-year term of our Town Crier II board is set to expire in early November. Their regular contributions earned this reader's respect and thanks.

We're planning to continue the Town Crier tradition, which has grown to more than 200 consecutive Wednesday appearances.

And, we need your passion and participation.

We're looking for 13 contributing writers from throughout Latah and Whitman counties to contribute. Board members will take turns writing each week.

It's a relatively small investment of time. You'll have the opportunity to write four columns a year. That's 700 words every three months or so. Each writer will be expected to contribute for a two-year period.

There's a small commitment up front.

We're asking you to submit an informal cover letter telling us a bit about who you are, what you do, and what you hope to add to the community discussion. We also ask that you work up a minimum of two sample columns of 700 words or less.

That's it.

 What's in it for you? It's not the money. But, we promise to put you in a unique position to lead and inspire community conversation. The subject matter is up to you. You'll have the freedom, within traditional journalistic limits, to address local and regional issues of choice.

There's also the recognition from your neighbors and the gratification of sharing your words in print.

That's the sales pitch.

Step up to the editorial plate, dig in and share your perspective on the issues you think are important. It's an opportunity to make a difference.

We hope you'll join us or encourage a friend.


Send your Town Crier III cover letter and two sample columns of 700 words or less via e-mail to Editor and Publisher Nathan Alford, or mail your information to the Daily News, Town Crier III, P.O. Box 8187, Moscow, ID 83843. All submissions must be received by Sept. 28.



Nathan Alford can be reached 
at (208) 882-5561, ext. 247, 
or by e-mail at alford at dnews.com.
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