A faceless, nameless newspaper??

We received this anonymous email the other day and were not sure how to take it. This person is asking for information…however the tone is somewhat confrontational. Since it is easy to mis-interpret an email sender’s desired message, we will not judge. Here is the email (Our answers are in parentheses):


From: same as yours — none (how cute)
To: publisher’s info
Message Body:
A faceless, nameless newspaper?? (Our name is CrystalBeachLocalNews.com. Not sure what you mean by faceless, it is visible to anyone with a computer.)

Who publishes this? (Tom and Georgia Osten. Our names are listed on the ‘About Us’ page, and many of the good folks in the community know we are the publishers.)

Do you have a phone number? (Yes, and we frequently give it out to people with real names. We receive countless emails from individuals asking for information about the beach, and often our reply includes a phone number. We do not publish the number on the website, we get enough telemarketing calls as it is.)

How about a staff box like a real newspaper/magazine has? It would give you more credibility. (You mean a little box with our names in it gives us more credibility?? We are a staff of two.)

Why do your writers and some contributors never put their name on their articles? Also a date so we know when it was written. (If there is no byline, then the article was written by Tom or Georgia. You are right about the date, we will add that.)

The word “we” in some of your articles has no meaning since “you” don’t have any identity. (Of course we have an identity. We are a couple of retirees publishing a blog/newsletter about the events happening in our beloved community. Please don’t take it too seriously, we don’t.)

To purchase ad space, who would receive the funds? Are you registered in the Secretary of State’s office as a business? (We receive the funds, happily. Registered in the Secretary of State’s office??? not sure what you are asking.)

Please answer in an article so everyone can be informed.

Thank you.


PS:
To: ‘same as yours — none’
I hope this answers your questions.

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14 Responses to “A faceless, nameless newspaper??”

  1. john robinson says:

    Will you publish HOA officer and/or general membership meetings for the different subdivisions?

  2. BETTY SWAIN says:

    I LOVE YOUR TOWN, I HAVE BEEN VISITING BOLIVAR SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE PLANNING TO MOVE THERE AS SOON AS WE GET OUR HOUSE SOLD. BUT I WAS JUST WONDERING HOW MUCH WOULD AN AVERAGE MONTH UTILITYS
    RUN. SAY FOR TWO PEOPLE. I SURE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD HELP ME WITH THAT. AND I ALWAYS LOVE READING ALL THE NEWS AND STORIES YOU PUT IN YOUR PAPER KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

  3. same as yours -- none says:

    Well, I sent an apology earlier but it didn’t make publication. I did not see the little lines of type above the BIG COLORFUL HEADER BOX. So my questions were neutral and in no way confrontational. You all see through your own glasses, and some of them sure ain’t rose-colored.

    Y’all need all the help you can get, to “keep Bolivar Bolivar,” whether it’s from “outsiders” (and every one of you is one, according to the tribes here before you) or the “locals” who depend on the “outsiders” for a good portion of their livelihood. If you’ve retired and are here wandering around with all your free time then you’re in limbo and don’t fit either category so don’t get upset. Enjoy that pension until Obama gets his hands on it.

    “Judge not lest ye be judged.” I learned a lot from your responses.

    Thanks to the publishers for a nice paper.

  4. carlis cole says:

    Sounds as if somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed! Love yall and love the newsletter, brochure, newspaper ummm whatever! Carlis

  5. Vanessa Larson says:

    LOL! Great responses to a snarky email. Thank you, thank you for publishing crystalbeachlocalnews.com. My husband and I read through it faithfully. It keeps us “in-the-know” when we can’t be there.

  6. Karen Riddles says:

    I guess the cold front brought through the nut cases. Love reading the Crystalbeachlocalnews

  7. Carol Shaw says:

    I absolutely love your paper! Since I don’t live there, but wish I did, I really look forward to getting your paper. I am in Crystal Beach at lease 5 times a year. Please don’t let whoever wrote to you get you down. I agree with one of the replys, they may want to start another paper. Well, they won’t have any luck! Keep up the great work. I will be there for Mardi Gras. I appreciate you.

  8. Well if I had to guess i would say someone wants to be a competitor and start another news source . Correct me if i am wrong but I visit your blog to check in to see whats going on on the peninsula and get event schedules as well as some news. I feel your format is more of a blog /newsletter as you state. I am 43 and I feel this format appeals to the younger more tech saavy generation rather than the traditional newspaper . I can enjoy yours on my phone my tablet , computer etc at my convenience. In fact i read it more than The Beaumont Enterprise, which is struggling along with all newspapers from the loss of readers to the more modern format. I don’t think if the country is invaded at Crystal Beach would i turn to your blog for an account of national security I would be watching CNN like most and then enjoy the more personal account from locals here . So keep up the good work and don’t change a thing!You are doing exactly what the majority of the people want and on another note I remember the ads I see here more than the newspaper. I am sure its a better value . Any LLC , corporations , limited partnerships etc. must register with the Secretary of State and pay taxes but not all businesses are required and i would assume a sole proprietorship with no employees would not have to register . With that said its none of his business where the advertising dollars go they are yours to spend freely.

  9. Shelly Butts says:

    Keep your chins up and the smiles going! There are more of us who appreciate you and this link to our fine community!! Keep up the fantastic job you are doing — we love it!

  10. RUSTEDWOOD says:

    There is one in every crowd. Ignore them and know that many of us enjoy and tune in weekly to your website. I enjoy being able to stay in touch when I am away from the peninsula. Your site is very creative and informative. I appreciate all ya’ll do. See you at the meeting tonight.

  11. Carole says:

    WOW! There is certainly a tone of negativity that runs through these questions. Perhaps they would like to write an article for ‘our news’
    We have come so very far since Ike, and both of you have helped so very much in keeping us informed.
    It seems like “same as yours” are either new to our community or visiting and should read up on Crystal Beach.
    Perhaps they do not realize that we are unincorporated.
    We all have so very much to contribute to our community
    and thank you again for being the forerunners and for continuing to be so committed.

  12. Bobbey White says:

    Love this paper and can’t wait to see it every Tuesday. The tone did seem a bit confrontational. I love your pictures and appreciate all that you do for CB!! Haters are gonna hate and all others will appreciate!! B.

  13. Bill P. says:

    Tom and Georgia, your service through this enewspaper is greatly appreciated. In saying that, the sender of this email hasn’t seen Tom with his camera at every event scheduled taking pictures and the smile that goes with it. The countless time spent keeping the community informed about Bolivar’s happenings, community issues and golf games is invaluable.

    Thank you from us.

  14. Peggy says:

    You were much nicer than I would have been. We so enjoy your website and getting news about our community. Keep up the good work!!! We appreciate you!! Peg

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