An open letter to Advocate readers
Feb. 26, 2009
Dear Readers:
This is not the letter I hoped to be posting four months after starting the Advocate, but if an online news service is going to yell 'transparency' at every turn, it had better be willing to play by it's own rules.
Put plainly, as a business venture, the Advocate is failing.
Our business model has four indexes to track growth and predict success of the venture: Readership, community involvement, classified use and, of course, paid advertising. I am sad to report that we are faltering badly on three of those.
While readership numbers have climbed steadily since it's inception, now topping 3000 total page hits, and over 300 readers a week, the sparse use of the 'Classifieds' section, and almost no interest in paid advertising has failed to instill lender confidence, thus denying us access to funding needed to expand the staff, or to go to print with a weekly paper.
These are failures that I blame on my own lack of salesmanship and failure to factor in funding for advertising, believing that word-of-mouth and easy internet linking would be sufficient to get the word out.
Community involvement has to be graded as mediocre. Institutions such as the local colleges, government offices and law enforcement, realizing that every information outlet has value, have been willing contributors.
But surprisingly, organizations like ISD boards, economic development agencies and even chambers of commerce have been less than cooperative, many failing even to return messages or respond to letters of introduction.
In short, the shoe-string budget we were operating on is gone, and the need to pay personal bills now has to override both desire to publish and belief in the need for a service like this for Upshur County.
The site will stay open, but article postings won't be daily events.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who is providing information and news releases, and the readers who return daily looking for timely and topical news of interest to Upshur County and the surrounding area.
Sincerely,
DeWayne Spell
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The Advocate is proud to partner with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas to bring you these two lovable pets in need of adoption!
One for the kids, one for quiet adult companionship. Which one is for you? Find out below...
#C2009058 "Mocha" is a friendly female Tabby mix, less than 6 months old, brought to the shelter because of allergies. Mocha has a sweet, calm disposition and likes to gently explore the world around her. She enjoys playing with children and is already litterbox trained. Meet Mocha today at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, phone 903-297-2170, or log onto www.hsntx.org
#T2009349 "Missy" is a friendly adult female Rat Terrier, already spayed, approximately 5-6 years old. Missy has a patient personality with adults, but is better suited for a home without small children. She enjoys going for walks outside on a leash when the weather is nice and will keep a lap warm on cold, rainy days. Welcome Missy into your heart and home by contacting the Humane Society of Northeast Texas at 903-297-2170, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, or www.hsntx.org.
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The Advocate is proud to partner with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas to bring you these two lovable pets in need of adoption!
This week's furry pair are Buster Brown and Purrsimmon. Read about them below.
#T2009294 "Buster Brown" is a handsome adult male Australian Terrier with a casual, self-confident personality. Buster enjoys being with people, walks mannerly on a leash, and gets along well with other dogs. He still needs a few lessons on housetraining, but is very attentive and eager to please. For adoption information, please call the Humane Society of Northeast Texas at 903-297-2170, visit 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, or log onto www.hsntx.org.
#S2009168 "Purrsimmon" loves to have her back and head scratched making it difficult to photograph her! This young female Domestic Shorthair can be a little shy in new situations, but once she knows she's met a friend, she purrs and meows her affections freely. Provide a scratching post and a few toys and Purrsimmon will be a happy kitty. For adoption information, please visit the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street, Longview, phone 903-297-2170, or log onto www.hsntx.org.
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The Advocate is proud to partner with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, which does a great job rescuing and caring for these two lovable pets in need of adoption!
One likes to cuddle, one will need room to roughhouse. Which one is for you?
C2009037 "Tundra" is a snow-white male Domestic Shorthair kitten, approximately 9 weeks old. This sweet kitten has a calm, gentle disposition and likes to be cuddled and petted. His beautiful pale blue eyes sparkle with affection. For adoption information, please contact the Humane Society of Northeast Texas at 903-297-2170, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, or www.hsntx.org.
#T2009217 "Rocko" is a precious 6-week-old male Rottweiler mix brought to the shelter as a stray from Gladewater. This little guy is cute and cuddly now, but will be a big boy someday, needing lots of exercise, basic training, and a well-fenced yard to be a happy, healthy member of any family. If you're up to the task of raising a pup, please visit the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, phone 903-297-2170, or log onto www.hsntx.org.
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The Advocate is proud to partner with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas to bring you these two lovable pets in need of adoption!
If 'calm' and 'lovable' are two qualities you're looking for in a furry friend, the staff at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas can fill your order. Madelyn and Shasta are their two recommendations this week.
#T2009181 "Madelyn" is a sweet and gentle adult female Lhasa Apso/Schnauzer mix, brought to the shelter by Kilgore Animal Control. Madelyn is housetrained, walks politely on a leash, and even enjoys getting bathed and brushed. She's small enough to warm a lap, but has a heart as big as Texas. For adoption information, please contact the Humane Society of Northeast Texas at 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, 903-297-2170, or www.hsntx.org.
#S2009094 "Shasta" is a beautiful tortoise shell Domestic Shorthair from Gilmer. At less than a year old, Shasta has a calm disposition and a lot of playful curiosity about her, making her a wonderful feline companion for the whole family. To welcome Shasta into your heart and home, please contact the Humane Society of Northeast Texas at 903-297-2170, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, or www.hsntx.org.
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The Advocate is proud to partner with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas to bring you these two lovable pets in need of adoption!
Roxanne Hutson and her crew have found two more winning pets who want to be part of your family, Doozie and Skibo.
#T2009034 "Doozie" is a happy wiry-haired female terrier mix with a friendly face and active personality. Doozie was brought to the shelter as a stray by Longview Animal Control. She likes to have her belly rubbed, go for walks outside, and spend quiet time with someone special. If are looking for a nice inside companion pet, check out Doozie at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview; 903-297-2170; or www.hsntx.org.
#C2009009 "Skibo" is a people-loving female Domestic Mediumhair, enjoying the company of both children and adults. This happy cat is content to lie quietly in a sunny windowsill, will welcome you home with gentle meows, and snuggle close on cold winter nights. Visit Skibo at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, phone 903-297-2170, or log onto www.hsntx.org for more information.
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This week, the Humane Society of Northeast Texas went out of their way to find two irresistible companions for the new year!
#C20081588 "Boltz" was one of 4 kittens brought from Henderson to the shelter to find new homes. Like his siblings, Boltz is frisky and inquisitive, enjoys being cuddled and petted, and isn't shy about meowing for more attention. If you're up to the task of raising a precious kitten and giving it a good home for life, please visit the Humane Society of Northeast Texas at 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, phone 903-297-2170, or log onto www.hsntx.org.
#T20083559 "Gruffin" is an adult male wiry-haired terrier mix, weighing approximately 25 lbs. Gruffin walks nicely on a leash and would enjoy being a walking companion for someone trying to lose those extra holiday pounds! His scruffy, wiry coat gives him a carefree look that compliments his attitude. Adopt this wonderful pet at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview; 903-297-2170, www.hsntx.org.
Need a map?
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