As I write this column, it is Friday morning — two days before Irma arrives in Florida, and at least a full day before we know what kind of impact the hurricane will have on Tampa Bay.
In the aftermath of Harvey, everyone is on edge because of the stress getting ready for the storm, and the uncertainty of when and where Irma will make landfall.
In anticipation of Irma, one way we coped here at The Laker/Lutz News was to begin planning as soon as we got back from the Labor Day weekend.
Initially we decided to move up our production deadlines so we could print our papers and begin delivery on Saturday —before Irma arrived.
By Friday, that plan had changed. Irma’s arrival was moved up to Sunday, and there was no longer enough time to deliver before the storm. So, while our papers still will be printed early, we went back to our regular Tuesday and Wednesday delivery, after Irma is well out of Florida.
The other reason we chose to print our papers early was to ensure the safety of our employees. Like most of you, the people we work with are part of your family, and we care greatly about their well-being. I wanted my staff to be home with their families, and if necessary, have time to evacuate, when Irma hits.
This self-determination is one of the best things about owning or working for a small business. My team and I determine what’s best for our colleagues, customers and the business itself, and then go straight into implementation. There’s no chain of command, or lengthy review and approval process.
And, this ability makes me so appreciative of my group’s teamwork, outstanding ideas and smooth implementation. Together, we are able to develop and carry out plans that met our goals.
A weekly spin
First, it was the Lake Padgett Estate sinkhole in Land O’ Lakes. And now, it’s Hurricane Irma. Both were international news, and both happened in our backyard.
How does a small operation like The Laker/Lutz News manage to cover these big stories along with everything else we do (prep sports, city and government news, schools, business and community events)?
We almost always report on breaking news after the fact, and then do it with our unique weekly spin.
Our stories focus on how these events impact our local families and businesses. We let people know how they can get help, and also how they can help their neighbors.
There are plenty of news outlets that give you breaking news. But, only The Laker/Lutz News drills down to your community and reports how an emergency like Irma directly impacts the neighborhood where you live and your local businesses, schools and government agencies.
Even when there isn’t a sinkhole or a hurricane to cover, our goal every week is to be a trustworthy, community resource with professionally written, unbiased stories. Every story, every news brief, every photo in The Laker/Lutz News is tied directly to our readers in Pasco and north Hillsborough counties.
And, that’s why you read our newspaper — because our stories are relevant to your life, and answer questions about living in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.
This week, our Hurricane Irma package aims to provide a glimpse of the impacts Irma has already had on our community and to help you recover from the damages Irma may leave in its wake. As always, our goal is to be a resource for our community.
Thank you for being our reader through good times and bad. I pray that you and your loved ones come safely through Irma. Let’s do the best we can to weather this storm and its aftermath together.
Published September 13, 2017
