The most important thing we do at The Laker/Lutz News is to identify and write stories you find interesting and relevant. Our goal is for you to be so engaged with your community newspaper that you read us cover-to-cover every week, and can’t wait for the next issue to come out.
One measure of the job we’re doing is our readership score, which is determined by an independent auditing firm. In an era when most newspapers report continuing circulation losses— and many are shutting their doors — our readership has grown to 81 percent.
(Courtesy of Tom Jackson)
Simply put, this means if your neighborhood has 100 homes, 81 of your neighbors read our paper every week, just like you.
So why is our newspaper so successful when so many others are failing? Our formula is really pretty simple —we ask you what you want to read, and then our professional journalists go out and write these stories.
While we are certainly proud of our high readership, we don’t take it for granted, and are always open to ideas that add value to our paper. One area that we have not been able to include is commentary and opinion writing.
But that will change next week with the addition of Tom Jackson to The Laker/Lutz News.
Tom is a well-known local columnist who has written about Pasco issues, people and politics for close to 20 years. His varied journalism career includes working as a business reporter, feature writer, sports columnist and editor. Most recently, he was a conservative political columnist and blogger for The Tampa Tribune.
As a community columnist, Tom writes about the dynamics of Pasco County. He addresses conflicts between metropolitan newcomers and rural traditionalists, and low-tax enthusiasts versus infrastructure needs. His opinions are well researched, and his writing is respected, whether or not one agrees with his position.
Tom’s new column for The Laker/Lutz News will focus 100 percent on issues that impact Pasco and north Hillsborough counties. He will also profile local people with interesting stories, and organizations that make a difference in our community.
With the addition of Tom’s column to our editorial package, we have raised the journalism bar at The Laker/Lutz News. And because his local commentary will only be published here, it gives you one more reason to read us every week.
Whether or not your viewpoint aligns with Tom’s, we know his opinions will get you thinking. Please join me in welcoming Tom to our pages.
Published May 11, 2016
