Letter to WPA

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

By Matthew Irwin

To President Jeff Robertson, officers and board members:

As editor of Jackson Hole Weekly, I am formally requesting that you consider the alternative weekly for membership in the Wyoming Press Association.

There is a well-established tradition of alternative weeklies in local press organizations, including San Diego CityBeat, for which I previously wrote, in the San Diego Press Club and Las Vegas Weekly in the Nevada Press Association, members of which recently judged WPA’s Pacemaker Awards. Regionally, other examples include Salt Lake City Weekly in the Utah Press Association, The Missoula Independent in the Montana Newspaper Association and Boise Weekly in the Idaho Press Club. As Wyoming’s only press group, WPA should give JH Weekly, Wyoming’s only alt-weekly, fair and thorough consideration for membership, including an examination of WPA policies regarding priority given to paid-subscription newspapers.

JH Weekly has been in circulation for nearly eight years, which should more than demonstrate its longevity. We have published exclusive interviews with notable Wyoming characters, including paraplegic Northern Arapahoe medicine man Stanford Addison, Brokeback Mountain author Annie Proulx and former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson. We have featured in-depth inquires into important regional issues, such as pine beetles, hydraulic fracturing and homelessness. We have highlighted unpopular and controversial opinions. And we have become a regular sponsor of regional cultural events, including film debuts, concerts and performing arts.

After a year and a half as editor, I am confident of JH Weekly’s value as the alternative paper in the Greater Teton area. The paper deserves access to WPA resources. Our reporters and photographers should have every opportunity to pit their talents against other state journalists in WPA competitions.

As an earlier appeal by founding editor Rich Anderson and publisher Mary Grossman was never formally answered, I ask that if you reject this request, you outline the reasons. If I do not hear from you by May 1, 2010, I will infer your tacit denial.

Sincerely,

Matthew Irwin

Editor, JH Weekly

Reader Comments
I can understand your desire for recognition and "resources" from the WPA, but beware what you wish for. There is lots to be said for being truly independent and alternative. Once you're a member of the WPA, there will be a subtle pressure and inclination to conform to certain "acceptable" mainstream viewpoints, in order to remain in the fold and enjoy the acceptance and praise of this larger organization. little saganaga
this is worthy of being called news?????????? dave
Dave, this is clearly not meant to be news, it's opinion. Of course it could always turn in to news. bebo

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