Valley Voice 30 Years Old

If you hadn't heard or taken notice, the Valley Voice now is 30 years old.

Yep, pholks, that's a long time. We didn't bake a big cake, have a wild party, decorate the office with a bunch of silly-looking balloons, throw confetti or smoke cigars. I think a couple of the crew may have munched a couple extra cookies, enjoyed an extra Tootsie Pop from the candy bowl or maybe even downed an extra diet soda but that was about it. Mostly we just shook hands, patted one another on the back and went back to selling ads and cranking out news stories and columns.

It was kind of neat having the Tulare County Board of Supervisors Tuesday acknowledge the paper's efforts and successes, and issuing a resolution seasoned with the prerequisite “whereas” and “therefore,” and all that goes along with such events. Several times a month, I watch and listen as the board honors pholks and organizations for accomplishments and such. It's a little different when you are part of the honored organization singled out for praise.

Since starting my professional journalism career in Visalia nearly 43 years ago, I've seen a lot, done a lot and written about a lot of things, events, people and circumstances resulting in major news headlines or simply mention in a story or column. Obviously, Tulare County and Visalia and residents from all walks or life have changed. I've reported on successes, failures, scandals, business growth and failures and hundreds if not thousands of pholks. I've reported on quite a few important people from politicians, business and community leaders and “newsmakers” of just about every type. Lots of them are used to being in the news. Many of them like to see their names in print. Others don't and would rather not be reported on. Some say or do wonderful things. Others say or do stupid things. Still others do both and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

I've reported on great decisions made by local leaders. I've reported on decisions which turned out to be foolish, not completely thought through or failed.

Working at a weekly paper is not the same as for a daily. Unless something happens just before deadline, non-dailies can't follow “breaking news.” Instead, we try to focus on what is happening, about to happen and why it is or isn't happening and what it means, if that is possible. Attempting to do it before anyone else has been our mission and more often than not we pull it off. It's a lot of work, but it feels good when things work out.

If I had a dollar for every time someone asks how the Voice gets so much news for being “the little paper,” I would be able to afford more golf games, play with new clubs, new balls and not be so scared playing for 50 cents a hole.
The answer I usually come up with simply goes something like this: “Well, I'll tell you, there are only a few of us, but we've been around a long time. We know the territory and we give a darn. Keeping your nose to the grindstone isn't always comfortable but if you parade around with a pretty nose with no scars, you're not working hard enough.”

Of course, it isn't a newspaper's purpose to be liked by everyone. If the waves made by what is accurately reported don't rock the boat, then the paper isn't doing the job.

If I had another dollar for every time I reported on something which maybe caused a little seasickness among the “news subjects,” I probably could buy the really good golf balls they don't sell at Wal-Mart.

When I joined the Valley Voice in the mid-80s it was a monthly newspaper with a reputation of being the “little paper with lots of local news.” I sold advertising, wrote “Miles Around,” did a few stories and kept my eyes and ears open for news stories.

Some things change and of course, some don't. The Voice has grown, first to twice a month and then two years ago this month, it turned into a weekly publication. The paper's reputation continues to grow.

Technology continues to change the way the Voice is produced but I'm pretty sure it will be a long time until someone will be able punch a button to provide the news and what people are thinking, saying or what potential courses of actions may be taken. People and events make the news. Other people report it.

That ain't changing, pholks, trust me.