However, the name of the game is advertising revenue and due to some unfortunate internal problems with the staff, and the fact that we were trying to compete for advertising dollars with radio, television, the internet and other newspapers, we found ourselves with too little, too late. I know some people will be happy to see us close, and that makes me sad. No matter what the reason, any time a small business closes, it's not good for the employees, of course, but it also affects the community at large. Our newspaper was small but it packed a nice punch and filled a hole. Yes, we were competing against another newspaper, but it wasn't even that that did us in.
Competition is healthy.
In fact, I had a conversation with the Villager editor a few months ago and she complimented us on our paper. Having owned a newspaper herself a few years ago, she mentioned that 90-percent of making it was by having the patience to ride it out the first few years. I know many of you will be shocked and saddened by our departure, but believe me, it's nothing compared to the way we feel about it. We are angry, too, and we want you to know this was a last resort. We had investigated other options, but none of them panned out, unfortunately.