No Rules

"Hell, there are no rules here...we're trying to accomplish something." - Thomas Edison

I've been asked several times how Amador Community News came to be. It's a story I enjoy telling, mainly because it's the perfect example of how much influence and strength a community can have, and what can happen when just a few people come together and share a common vision and purpose.

In November of 2006, a group of citizens got together for a luncheon at the [since closed] Jug 'N Rose in Volcano. What began as a discussion on domestic violence turned into a lively conversation about the various issues that affected Amador County. The idea was voiced for each of us to take about ten minutes to think about and write down at least three issues, then share them with the group--domestic violence, crime, drugs, government spending, the environment, transportation, care of the elderly, lack of educational opportunities, joblessness, etc. A recurring theme was how information was not reaching the public, that letters to the editors in the existing local media were not being published or being spun, were biased, tax initiatives were being proposed and local ordinances were being passed without adequate public knowledge until it was too late, or that public meetings would be attended if it was known when and where they were being held.

Since dissemination of information was one of the top issues, it was decided that a community group should address and define the specific areas. An informal "media council" was formed, and I headed it up. In the several months ahead, we had maybe a total of two meetings as a small group, then I met individually with some of the members to define purpose, goals, mission, etc. One person wanted to go after the existing local media with a "torch and pitchfork" mentality; another wanted to create a more liberal media to counter and compete with the conservative demographic. Yet another argued agenda, format and had unyielding opinions of what should be done.

Me? I did what I always do: I listened.

One could say that I've always had [what I call] "Little Red Hen" syndrome. I get enthusiastic when I conceive a vision or idea, but then when it gets to the point where I say, "Awesome! Okay, who will help me?", the various "Not I" responses can be disappointing. Fortunately, I'm not easily discouraged, and in April 2007, I took the ball and ran with the community media vision by creating a simple web site. With the help of Loraine Davis and her comprehensive community e-mail group, I began to post information and announcements in a more "community bulletin board" format, and Amador Community "News" (ACN) was born.

When I moved to Nashville, TN in 2008, I had seriously considered shutting ACN down. I even got to the very point of pushing the proverbial red button when my gut told me "Don't do it!". Before I moved, I remember Kay Pulskamp (God rest her soul) had taken me aside at one of many local meetings we had consistently been present at, and she said: "Don't you ever quit this newspaper. Never stop. We need it. Amador County needs it." I still remember the beautiful smile on her face as she spoke these words. I had a growing number of loyal readers and supporting advertisers that believed (and thankfully, still do) in the concept of community media. So I kept it going out of my home office in Nashville, and managed to juggle a job as Music Director of South Gate Baptist Church, Soprano I in The Nashville Choir, singing background vocals for various recording projects, President of the Nashville Christian Writers Association, and the Director of PR/Media for the TN Marine Family, Nashville National Day of Prayer and the Stones River Unit of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary.

During this time I also greatly valued my email and phone correspondence with Dan Gillmor, former columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, author of "We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, For the People" founder of the Center for Citizen Media, co-founder of the Citizen Media Law Project. Gillmor guided me me towards the Knight Citizen News Network; and ACN became a part of its global network. I studied the concept, embraced it completely, and persevered...so much that several of ACN's loyal readers didn't even know I had moved to TN, and were shocked and said that I knew more about what was going on in Amador County than they did! 

ACN has had its share of growing pains. It is politically neutral and non-partisan. I'm well aware that I can't please everyone--but it has been gratifying to see how much it has grown in the past five years. It has not been easy being a staff of one, but ACN would not exist without you, your emails, your input and feedback, your support. My ACN Facebook is now approaching 3,600 friends. The blog format has greatly helped. Most of all, your encouragement and support has helped.

I've been asked so many times why I charge so little for advertising ($5/month, or $50/year). Believe me, I've had enough business-savvy gurus and entrepreneurs tell me that I'm crazy. Getting rich off of ACN has never been a part of the original vision or purpose, especially when there are so many individuals, businesses and organizations greatly hurting in this economy. For me it's always been about what real people need, what the new, established or struggling business owner needs, what the non-profit organization needs, what our rural, upcountry and foothill communities need. Amador County is unique; we're not L.A., we're not Sac, we're not SF, we're not San Jose, Santa Cruz, Bakersfield, Chico. But so many issues affect us all, and if there has ever been a time where our little, funny-shaped County needs to come together and support each other, it would certainly be now.

Budgets are tight; times are so tough for so many of us. Charging what I do for advertising grounds me, keeps me real, keeps me focused upon what is right, important and needed. Besides, there are no rules saying that I have to charge an arm and a leg for advertising. I have no rules coming down from a corporate hierarchy or conglomerate telling me what I can or cannot do. I cannot be bought; I'm in no one's back pocket. In fact, those who really know me, know that I pretty much run as a lone wolf here in "The County". It's actually quite simple; I serve you. I answer to you, the public. I post what you send me. I run your Letters to the Editor, your commentaries, your information, briefs and releases, the way you send them to me, the way you want to see them. Community media is about you.

So over five years ago, I set out to accomplish something. Something without contrived rules that come from ambiguous "because we said so" powers that be. Something that included a vision to get back to our Constitutional, First Amendment rights that states that all of us have every right to air our grievances, to have "free exercise"...to peaceably assemble (whether online or otherwise)...and may I add, without fear.

Being a part of a free press is quite liberating, and I hope that the light bulbs burn brightly. I hope yours does, and if it does, I'm right there with you. Thomas Edison would be proud. 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." - First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution