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THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER

Tom Baker remembered Page 4

December 2016

Journal of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

Postal officials can’t stop mailings for pot ads

WNPA honors two former publishers Foundation names internships for Wallie Funk, Kris Passey The WNPA Foundation last month named two of its Olympia News Bureau internships in honor of two former publishers who made big contributions to the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

Honored with named interships were Wallie Funk and Kris Passey.

Funk was the owner and publisher of the Anacortes American, the Whidbey News-Times and the South Whidbey Record. He is a past president of WNPA and his financial contributions to the WNPA Foundation got the Olympia internship program off the ground.

“Olympia internships for young journalists have launched the careers of some of our region’s finest reporters,” said son Mark Funk. “I am so very proud the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association is naming one of its scholarships for my father, Wallie Funk. He has been the pro-

gram’s advocate for the program since its very beginning.”

Funk accepted the award from WNPA Executive Director Fred Obee in Anacortes with Internship Coordinating Editor Frank Garred and Mark Funk.

Passey was the publisher of the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was a former WNPA board member and was on the founding board of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

After his company sold the Globe and Times, Passey went on to earn his master’s degree and then taught journalism at Western Washington University. More recently, he and his wife relocated to suburban Washington, D.C. to be nearer their children and grandchildren. Passey died Nov. 27, 2016.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government presented Passey with its 2017 James Madison award just prior to his death.

Wallie Funk accepted his proclamation naming an Olympia News Bureau internship from WNPA in Anacortes. Pictured are, from left, Funk, Internship Coordinating Editor Frank Garred and son Mark Funk.

The WNPA Foundation has es- PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA tablished permanent accounts for 98368, or, for credit card payments, call 360-515-5239. both internships and welcomes Those who wish to honor contributions which may be tax Passey with a contribution to deductible.

WCOG can go to washingtoncog.

To make a contribution, send org. a check to: WNPA Foundation,

Summer internships for college students available A limited number of internships are available this summer through the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 24, 2017. The internship process works best when students decide where they would

like to work and then approach managers at that newspaper even before submitting an application.

The following are the program details: To apply, students should send a resume, five or six clips, and an essay detailing why they want to work at a community

newspaper.

This internship must be served at a member newspaper of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. WNPA represents mainly small daily and weekly newspapers across the state.

The internship should be of

at least eight weeks (240 hours) duration and preferably be completed by Sept. 22, 2017.

Students must make their own arrangements for the internship by contacting WNPAmember newspapers where they would like to be an intern. At See Interns, Page 2

Newspaper managers who receive notices from local post offices saying it is illegal to mail publications with marijuana ads in them should not panic.

According to the post office’s Western Area Managing Counsel Samuel Schmidt, local postal officials do not have the right to delay mailing newspapers over concerns about marijuana ads.

WNPA contacted the post office to clarify procedures after the Northern Light newspaper got a notice from its local post office last week.

The notice, from Thomas Copher, in charge of the Business Mail Entry Unit in Blaine where the Northern Light is mailed, said: “We have concluded that advertisements for the sale of marijuana are non-mailable.” Copher apparently was acting following a complaint from a reader of the newspaper, who didn’t think it was appropriate for the paper to carry marijuana ads and use the post office.

Communications Specialist Ernie Swanson with the Seattle Post office said there is a three step process the post office follows when complaints are received or when postal official question the legality of See Pot Ads, Page 2

Pot Ads: Process explained Continued from Page 1

marijuana ads.

First, the post office notifies the mailer that the proffered mail may violate federal statues restricting marijuana advertisements.

Second, the post office asks the mailer whether they wish to proceed with the mailing, or withdraw it.

Finally, if the mailer wishes to proceed, the post office is instructed to process the mail and report the event to the local Inspection Service office. Local postal officials cannot stop the

mailing based solely on the written content of the offered mail.

Schmidt also added the following: “It is important to note that the Postal Service is under no obligation to search out and identify marijuana advertisements, which are, for example, contained within a newspaper,” Schmidt said.

“However, if the advertisement is clear on its face or otherwise brought to the attention of management, the three-step notification process should be followed.”

Interns: $1,500 stipend paid Continued from Page 1

www.wnpa.com is a searchable Membership Directory.

Students can contact WNPA Executive Director Fred Obee if they would like guidance on this process.

Students must inform the WNPA Foundation of finalized arrangements by May 1, 2017 or the full scholarship will be forfeited.

Students are free to accept a paid internship (that is, this scholarship would be in addition to any other salary they might receive from the host

newspaper).

A $1,500 stipend will be paid to the student as follows: $750 when they report to work and $750 at the completion of the internship and after we receive a written report summarizing their experiences and the benefits of having been an intern.

Fred Obee of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association is the Foundation’s administrator for this program.

Please direct all correspondence and applications to him. He can be reached at fredobee@wnpa. com or (360) 515-5239.

Officers: Don Nelson, President; Sandy Stokes, First Vice President; Michael Wagar, Second Vice President; Keven Graves, Past President.

Trustees: Sara Bruestle, Eric LaFontaine, Donna Etchey, Scott Hunter and Bill Shaw.

THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER is the offical publication of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. It is published monthly by WNPA, PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Staff: Fred Obee: Executive Director: 360-515-5239.

Email: fredobee@wnpa.com CJ Burk: Accounting and Advertising: 360-515-0974.

Email: cj@wnpa.com. Fax: 360-515-5546

2 The Washington Newspaper December 2016

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Trying to separate ourselves from perceptions of ‘The Media’

By Don Nelson I don’t think many of our community newspaper readers in Washington State or around the country lump us in with “the media” when they talk about their perceptions of news coverage.

But we may still get tarred with that same broad brush, which these days includes Nelson everything from deliberately phony propaganda factories to white supremacist “news” sites (I’m not calling then “alt right” anymore – they are what they are, which is racist) to fringe bloggers to the nightly network news shows and traditional major newspapers.

“Mainstream media” has become a useless term. Fox News, with its sizeable cable audience, is as mainstream as it gets – while remaining as factually unreliable and predictably slanted as ever. The best news organizations in the world – and they are almost all newspapers – remain our best hope for conscientious reporting despite viciously partisan campaigns to discredit them.

And then there’s us – small, community-based, often hardpressed for adequate resources, relying not on news feeds from other sources but rather on our

own information-gathering ability. We often have a long tradition and deep community roots on our side. Community journalism is personal. People know who we are. We’re accessible and accountable.

We’re not driven by political agendas but rather by a powerful sense of responsibility to our constituencies.

I’d like to think that we have held a place on the high end of the credibility spectrum for those reasons. Our priorities are clear: to reflect what’s important in our communities, provide a trustworthy source of vital information and help our advertisers and readers find each other. If we don’t stray too far from those principles, we’re probably not going to find ourselves dismissed as part of “the media.”

Like most smaller newspaper owners, my largest “asset” is the accumulated good will of the 113 years my publication has been in business. It’s not guaranteed, and could dissipate quickly if we become perceived as not worthy of that good will.

Of course, in the “post-truth” era, people trust what they trust whether there’s reason to or not. Whatever trust we’ve built up, we have to keep earning by creating enduring connections within our communities and meeting our supporters’ expectations.

Here are some ways I think about how to do that: • Be of service to the community. Find ways to say “yes” to people who want to get information in the paper, and provide top-notch service to those who support us with advertising.

• Be the indispensable source of information people need to live, work, play and participate in your community – information they will not consistently find anywhere else.

• Don’t forget our mission to “speak truth to power.”

Report fearlessly, honestly and consistently about the major issues in your communities.

Nobody else is going to do it.

• Have a meaningful voice in the community, but keep it reasoned, civil and constructive.

• Have standards and stick to them. Nothing erodes confidence in a community publication like the perception that some people are treated differently (favorably or less so) depending on the whims or preferences of the publisher or editor.

Trustworthiness is a fragile commodity whose true value only becomes evident when it’s lost. Without it, we may well be swept along in the wave of disdain for “the media.”

Don Nelson is the Publisher of the Methow Valley News and this year’s WNPA president.

WSU offers free science column A free column about science is now available from Washington State University.

Called Ask Dr. Universe, the column is written by Rachel Webber of the university’s communications department.

The column comes out weekly, features a science question from a

kid, and a 500-word answer from a very smart scientist -- who happens to be a cat -- Dr. Wendy Sue Universe.

The column is available for print or web. Interested editors can find samples of the column on the university’s website at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu.

Wait to pay business tax until Legislature has a chance to act

By Rowland Thompson Newspapers last month received letters from the Washington State Department of Revenue, detailing a legislative error that caused a two month lapse in some tax collections.

The letter instructed publishers to comThompson plete a series of steps to pay back taxes owed. I am now telling you not to do that, and, in fact, to do nothing.

Here are my reasons: We have known since 2015 of the two month date discrepancy cited in the letter. We were not the only industry affected by this mistake in the effective date for a number of tax preferences. In our case we were continuing a tax preference that you have enjoyed for eight years. The reason for the gap is a July 1 sunset on the previous enactment.

A bill was introduced in 2016 by Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoessler to close this date gap and a number of other errors in the current tax code. I was asked by the Department of Revenue to help get that bill passed very near the end of the session, which is when tax and spending bills are heard and enacted.

In our case the “fixes” were rolled in with a couple of provisions that DOR was facing litigation over and they were attempting to use the bill to legislate their position and end the litigation. Needless to say, the bill went up in flames at the Ways and Means Committee hearing and DOR was left looking very untrustworthy in the episode. I had to reassure a number of senators that I had no knowledge of DOR’s actions.

I was distressed by our tax exposure on the date discrepancy, and so immediately after adjournment of the legislative session I met with the Governor’s chief of staff and the Director of the Office of Financial Management to make sure that this problem would not surface during the interim.

I asked to have a chance at passing legislation to correct the error. They agreed and I was told I would have a year to repair the problem. I was also told by DOR’s deputy director that I would have a year.

Then, lo and behold, this notice was sent out... without the knowledge of those people mentioned or Governor Inslee. As soon as the first of you contacted me about this yesterday I ran over to get it straightened out. I have had numerous conversations with the Governor’s staff, OFM staff

and DOR staff and we have reached a solution that will never be put on paper.

This is what you need to know about how it will be straightened out: You legally owe the tax.

If you pay it this year, you will never get a refund, even when the legislation passes in 2017 to close the enactment gap created by the drafting error.

The Department of Revenue will not ask you again to pay the funds owed as they did in this letter nor will they expect you to pay the liability, unless you are audited between now and the enacting date of the legislative change that will pass in the 2017 session.

If that happens, you are to call me immediately and I will ask them to hold the audit in abeyance until after the legislative change occurs, something I have done before.

So, to recap, ignore the letter, do not calculate your two month tax liability, and call me immediately if you receive an audit notice.

I am sorry for the inconvenience and consternation this has caused you. And thank you to all of you who have called. I thought I had it handled from the start.

Rowland Thompson is the Executive Director for Allied Daily Newspapers.

He can be reached at (360) 943-9960.

El Mundo honored with national awards El Mundo recently received the Jose Marti Awards for Outstanding Technology/ Internet Section and for Outstanding Media Kit in October during the National Association of Hispanic Publications Annual Convention in McAllen, Texas.

The awards are judged by an independent panel from Instituto Cervantes (Cervantes Institute) the authority in Spanish

across the Americas and Spain.

“We thank the NAHP and selection panel for these awards among others in different categories,” El Mundo representatives said.

The Spanish language newspaper published in Washington also recently launched a new website. To learn more, visit ElMundoUS.com

The Washington Newspaper December 2016 3

PASSINGS

Thomas C. Baker, Waitsburg publisher, WNPA president Thomas C. Baker, a former WNPA president and long time publisher of the Waitsburg Times, died, Nov. 14 at Booker Rest Home in Dayton, Wash. He was 86 years old.

Thomas Carlton Baker was born April 17, 1930, in Fort Morgan, Colo., to Loyal C. and Amalia Greenwald Baker. He attended Baker Elementary School, accompanied to school by his faithful dog Tippy, who quietly curled up beneath his desk each day. (When Tom was promoted from sixth grade, the principal presented Tippy with a diploma.)

As a youngster, he was given piano lessons, and enjoyed playing all of his life. He was a Boy Scout and active in church, music and social events in Fort Morgan.

He graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1948 where he was active in student government, editor of the student newspaper “The Megaphone,” annual staff, drama and music.

He attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Penn. Terribly homesick during that school year, he returned to Colorado, attending the University of Colorado at Boulder for two years. There he met Mary Anita Bridwell, his future wife.

The couple was married Dec. 23, 1951, in Denver. He then

Columbus Day Storm of 1962.

Waitsburg fit Tom’s and Anita’s requirements perfectly – there was a newspaper and a Presbyterian Church -- and so the family moved from Denver in June, 1963. He worked with The Times publisher Carl Dilts for one year before officially becoming editor and publisher.

Baker published The Times for the next 27 years, employing his dry wit and unique style while chronicling the life and times of the people of Waitsburg. In the mid-1980s, he dubbed his weekly editorial “TOMfoolery,” which he wrote Thomas C. Baker and continued writing after selling the business in 1991, returned to Pittsburgh, to resume studies at Carnegie Tech while she continuing the weekly labor of love until 2009. finished the year at Boulder after He was active in Waitsburg which they reunited in Pittsburgh.

Baker graduated in 1953 with Commercial Club (president, 1965), Waitsburg Lions Club a Bachelor of Science degree in (president, 1972), Masonic Lodge Printing Management. His first No. 16, F.&A.M., the Order of job was with Bradford-Robinson Eastern Star No. 9, Waitsburg Printing Co. in Denver.

Son Charles was born in April, Historical Society, Waitsburg Presbyterian Church choir and 1953, in Pittsburgh, daughter Margaret Jean was born in Denver Board of Elders, Moderator of Central Washington Presbytery, in 1955, and son Loyal was born Walla Walla Community Colin 1958, in Denver. lege Board of Trustees (1971-77), Baker dremed about about Walla Walla Community College buying a country newspaper, and one day a newspaper broker Foundation board, Blue Mountain Community Foundation (board mentioned a Washington State member and president), Inquiry paper with an expired listing.

He flew to Washington, landing Club, Health Foundation Board in Dayton, Walla Walla County at Pendleton, Ore., during the

Board of Equalization (20032015), Walla Walla Union-Bulletin/Seattle Times Community Advisory Board (1998-2003), Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (Board of Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, President 1985-86), Waitsburg Boy Scout Executive Board and Waitsburg City Council and mayor (1983-86, 1993-97).

Honors received include Waitsburg FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer (1960s), Waitsburg Commercial Club Community Service Award 1976, Washington Newspaper Publishers Association John L. Fournier Community Service Award 1987, Waitsburg High School Alumni Association Award of Merit 1992 and Honorary Member, Waitsburg Booster Club Booster of the Year 2005-06, Days of Real Sport Parade Marshal 2006, Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Award of Merit 2007, Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow 2012-13 and other honors.

Baker retired in 1991 after selling The Times, continuing with his public service and during that time, he and Anita enjoyed traveling and attending family activities. He made his Walk with Christ in 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anita, at home; son Charles (Patty) of Quilcene, Wash.; daughter Peggy (Randy) Mudd of Pasco; son Loyal

(Charlotte) of Dayton; grandchildren Tom (Nikki) Baker of Moscow, Id., Dan Baker of Moscow, Id., Amalia “Molly” Baker of Sequim, Wash., Emilie (Jake Scott) Baker of Port Townsend, Wash., Anthony (Dannielle) Henry of Richland, Wash., Whitney Baker of Spokane, Wash., Matthew (Corinne) Baker of Loveland, Colo., Morgan Baker of Cheney, Wash.; great-grandchildren Everlee Baker, Keira Baker, Leia Baker Hendrickson, River Baker Hendrickson, Valerie Baker Scott, Carter Henry, Sophie Henry, and Drayson Baker.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services included Eastern Star and Masonic ritualistic ceremonies and inurnment at the Waitsburg City Cemetery on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, followed by a Memorial Service at the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church.

A Memorial Reception Luncheon followed at the Waitsburg Town Hall, 121 Main Street.

Memorial donations may be made to the Baker/Mudd WWCC Nursing Scholarship through the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, 22 E. Poplar St., Walla Walla, WA 99362, or the Waitsburg Historical Society, P.O. Box 341, Waitsburg, WA 99361, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Kris Passey, Marysville-Arlington publisher

Kris Passey

Former Marysville-Arlington Times publisher Kris Passey died Nov. 27 of pancreatic cancer at his home in Virginia.

Passey was a former publisher of the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times, a WNPA board member, journalist, writer, and open government advocate.

Passey also donated his time to help form the Washington Coalition for Open Government (WCOG). Passey

was not only a founding member of the Coalition, he was one of its first presidents, serving two terms.

After his company sold the Globe and Times, Passey went on to earn his master’s degree and taught journalism at Western Washington University. More recently, he and his wife relocated to suburban Washington, D.C. to be nearer their children and grandchildren.

Passey was honored by the Washington Coalition for Open Government with the organization’s 2017 James Madison Award, presented to Passey just before he died. The WNPA Foundation also named one of its Olympia News Bureau internships for Passey.

WCOG is asking friends, colleagues, and citizens to send video messages, emails, texts, and other communications with anecdotes

and stories of Kris. They would like to share these at WCOG’s annual Madison/Andersen Awards breakfast in September.

WCOG has created a Kris Passey Legacy Fund. To donate to to washingtoncog.org.

WNPA also has created a scholarship fund for Passey’s internship. Donations can be made by sending checks to WNPA, PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA. 98368.

The Washington Newspaper December 2016 4

WNPA JOB BOARD REPORTER The award-winning weekly newspaper, Bainbridge Island Review, on Bainbridge Island, WA, has an opening for a general assignment reporter.

We want a skilled and passionate writer who isn’t afraid to tackle meaty news stories. Experience with photography and Adobe InDesign preferred.

Applicants must be able to work in a team-oriented, deadline-driven environment, possess excellent writing skills, have a knowledge of community news and be able to write about multiple topics.

Must relocate to Kitsap County.

This is a part-time position, up to 29 hours per week, and includes paid vacation, sick and holidays. EOE. No calls please. Send resume with cover letter, three or more non-returnable clips in PDF or Text format and references to careers@ soundpublishing.com

and a 401(K) plan with company match. Send a cover letter, resume and at least 3 non-returnable writing samples to: careers@soundpublishing.com for immediate consideration. The Montesano Vidette is part of Sound Publishing; Western Washington’s largest community news organization.

EDITOR Want to put your journalism experience to use for a family-owned weekly newspaper in a stunningly beautiful Oregon community? This is your opportunity.

The Wallowa County Chieftain is seeking an Editor who believes in the value of community journalism. Topics include outdoor recreation, forest health, water supply and wildlife habitat, in addition to coverage of smalltown life.

The Chieftain is located in Enterprise, Oregon, just an hour away from La Grande and three hours REPORTER from Boise. The commuThe Vidette in Monnity has deep agricultural tesano, Wash., has an roots and a growing arts opening for a full-time community. The location reporter. offers year-round recWe value enterprise reational opportunities, and reporters who dig. including backpacking, We’re looking for somecamping, fishing, hunting, one to produce clear, snowmobiling and horsebrightly written stories back riding. relevant to real people The Chieftain is a reading us in print, on weekly newspaper in our website and in social Eastern Oregon and is media with a heavy empart of EO Media Group, phasis on sports. Ability to take photos is a plus, as an award-winning and innovative news organizais familiarity with social tion with active family of media. owners.

Montesano is on the We seek a journalist Washington Coast, an who is passionate about hour from the Olympic Rain Forest and two hours local news, excited about the opportunity to publish from Seattle. Benefits include paid vacation, sick in print, online and with social media. You’ll and holidays, medical, manage and mentor two dental and life insurance, 5 The Washington Newspaper December 2016

newsroom employees and work with a professional page design team. Your journalistic integrity is a must. Leadership, budgeting, multi-media and mentoring experience are a plus. This is a handson position that edits and writes stories; takes photos; posts daily to our web site; and uses social media to engage readers.

Along with the Chieftain’s Publisher, you will need to be involved in the community.

EO Media Group owns 11 newspapers and 17 websites that provide accurate, fair and timely reporting about the people and issues impacting the communities we serve in the Pacific Northwest, reflecting the responsibility and spirit of a free press.

Competitive pay plus paid time off, 401(k) /401(k) Roth retirement plan and insurances.

Candidates with an education in journalism or a related field, plus leadership experience should send resume and letter of interest to EO Media Group, PO Box 2048, Salem, OR 97308-2048, by fax to 503-371-2935 or e-mail hr@eomediagroup. com REPORTER The Chinook Observer, www.chinookobserver. com, is the respected news source for an island-like seashore peninsula on Washington state’s outer coast. We have the highest regard for our fascinating set of towns and villages, and serve them with an intensity that our readers say is in the finest traditions of journalism.

We’re seeking an ideal person to join us in this endeavor. Paying as well as daily publications in

our region, with a generous benefits package provided by our dedicated family-owned company, the Chinook Observer believes in top-quality content.

Editor Matt Winters, with 25 years here, participated with other EO Media Group leaders in winning the Grantham Prize for Excellence in Reporting on the Environment, on top of hundreds of other awards including 38 in the 2016 WNPA Better Newspaper Contest.

Winters said. “If you have passion and energy — the willingness to apply your brains to everything from quirky small-town city councils to the Pacific Northwest’s biggest issues — this could be the perfect job for you.”

Even while we love our idyllic setting and brilliant neighbors, our communities struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, seasonal unemployment, property crime and severe environmental challenges from climate change. As one our reporters, you’ll be expected to become an expert and help interpret all this — plus all the good stuff.

The Observer has a staff of seven, supplemented by a dozen regular contributors from our literate and engaged population of about 21,000 on Washington state’s wild outer coast.

Benefits include Paid Time Off (PTO), insurances and a 401(k)/Roth 401(k) retirement plan.

Send clips, resume and letter of interest to EO Media Group, PO Box 2048, Salem, OR 973082048, by fax to 503371-2935 or e-mail hr@ eomediagroup.com.

Have a legal question?

WNPA is ready to help If you have a question about access to public meetings or records, the WNPA staff can help.

Call 360-515-5239 For questions beyond government access -- if an attorney has served you with a demand letter, or if Earl Hubbard you need emergency review of a story, letter or ad -- call or email our WNPA attorney, Michele Earl Hubbard.

(206) 801-7510 or email

michele@alliedlawgroup.com