Let’s talk about the arena, arts and the Green Sheet
Highlights from my Thursday JSOnline chat with readers:
Q.Newspapers serve a critical function, but also need to make money. In light of the turbulent time for all media in terms of ad revenue, do you think the public would be better served with a notfor-profit model similar to public radio/television?
A.Our business model has been challenged by new technologies — mainly free digital classified advertising and widespread online shopping. It has lowered our company’s income both directly and indirectly, because the same changes impact other local businesses that advertised in the paper and JSOnline. We are Wisconsin’s largest newsgathering enterprise, with far more reporters than even the national nonprofit news outfits. I think the best solution will be to prove our continuing value to the community in the marketplace.
Q.Traveling to various state parks, rivers and lakes I continually notice a gradual decline in services. Is this a Walker, Doyle, Democrat, or Republican issue?
A.Environmental reporter Lee Bergquist wrote recently about a 2012 DNR report that identified 10-year state park capital funding needs of $285 million. With that backlog, it's safe to say that more than one administration has delayed park maintenance. The report also shows that state park properties are, on average, more than 50 years old. You will want to keep a close eye on state park policy and decision-making in the future. On May 10, Bergquist wrote about a new and unproven model of self-sufficiency that is being considered for the state parks system. A key legislative committee has called for the Department of Natural Resources to rely on traditional sources of cash, such as state park stickers, trail passes and fees paid for campsites, for future funding. It also called for the DNR to conduct a study to explore new revenue streams — but no longer rely on tax dollars. Nationally, state parks have not been able to fund their entire operations with money collected from campers, hikers and others.
Q.Thank god the Green Sheet is back! Now, are you going to give away those mini-newspapers at the State Fair again?
A.Yes!
If the MJS were to be the recipient of an endowment that would produce about $250,000 a year, what would you target with that money?
We would use that money for in-depth investigative and explanatory public service reporting aimed at shining a light on problems and then finding and describing best practices to alleviate similar problems. Examples of that type of reporting: Deadly Delays, Chronic Crisis, Death in the Ring, A Watershed Moment. An index at JSOnline lists our special reports through the years.
Q.The new Green Sheet isn't even completely green on page 1. What gives?
A:The Journal discontinued the old Green Sheet in 1994 because the green paper became so expensive and difficult to get. People never stopped asking for it, and I recently asked readers how many still felt that way. Listening to hundreds of readers, many missed the green section cover because it was easy to find — and for memory’s sake. But mostly, readers told me they missed the lighter-sideof-life features in the old Green Sheet sections. It was a fun, family-oriented section and a counterbalance to all the serious news. The new Green Sheet is tinted green on the cover so it’s easy to find and tied to our legacy. It offers fun features, with different kinds of stories, news quizzes, historical notes and photos, advice columns and reprints of old favorites. That’s what the old Green Sheet had, in a four-page section that included two pages of comics, horoscopes, puzzles and entertainment news, just like today’s section does. We looked through decades of old Green Sheets and are striving to capture the spirit and variety of those sections, but with features available in 2015. And I don’t want to chain it to the availability and price of green paper and risk losing it again.
Q.Even though I don't always agree with your arts coverage, it’s appreciated and vitally important to the city. Thank you.
A.Thanks. One way to keep up with the arts scene and other topics is by signing up for our free e-letters. You can find them for many coverage areas, including Art City, at
jsonline.com/newsletters/
Q.So what's your gut feeling about the Bucks arena? Will it get done?
A.No one will know for sure until the required bills pass. The Miller Park stadium bill appeared to have the support necessary for approval, but it still came down to one vote in the middle of the night — and that lawmaker was quickly recalled, which changed the control of one house in the Legislature. Almost nothing becomes more controversial for elected officials than these expensive stadium deals. Even the Lambeau Field upgrade, for the state’s most beloved team, ran into heavy opposition. Stay tuned. The entire chat, with more questions and answers, can be found at jsonline.com/chats. George Stanley is the editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached via gstanley@journalsentinel.com and followed on Twitter @geostanley