The lack of local perspective unfortunately leaves the newest owners at a disadvantage from an operating perspective.  They have no idea what is going on up here.  The Editors remain the same, and the content is produced in the same way that invited the lawsuit mentioned above. The paper could face other expensive litigation at ANY TIME.

Trust me on this.

Someone once said it best to serve a critique along with a solution.  So in the spirit of helping these investors fix a problem they may not realize exists, a suggestion was made.

Hire Gillman as publisher:"

This is in reference to the Traverse City Record Eagle, one of your more recent acquisitions.

I would like to make a request.  I would like to be the publisher of this newspaper in my hometown.  I would like to fix it so that it more closely represents the community which it serves.  I would like for it to return to real journalism, and most important to you and your board; profitability.

While I am loathe (even as an active conservative) the broad brush painting of traditional media as liberally biased, it is clear from the editorial styling here, that the Traverse City Record Eagle is very much so.  To the point where an emotional hatred for a few local leaders would inspire direct editorials attacking them.

In fact as one of those leaders, I have seen no fewer than three editorials attacking my integrity, and impugning my character.   Routinely, the editorials refer to our governing bodies as composed of "sheep", "fools", and other hyperbole.  In one editorial, I have been directly labeled as a racist, because I do not believe that homosexuality is normal; even with a non activist attitude about it.

Officials are expected to be held accountable to the job elected.  I fully expect criticism to be leveled on areas of disagreement; an exercise normal for an editorial page. However, efforts at destroying others opinions of a man more than three weeks after he has left office (their latest attack) is beyond reasonable.

And given I have a fairly thick hide, it would be almost funny and laughable if it did not happen so often.

This circulation area served by the Record eagle has a fairly diverse community of ideas.  But its primary values are traditional and conservative.  The mission of the Record Eagle seems to be an attempt to dissuade conservative leadership, and encourage much of the moral decline that is destroying our nation.  This is not limited to the editorial page alone, however that is where the slant is not just obvious, but part of certain editors' critical mission.

I have an agenda as well.

A strong newspaper has a place in any community.  I would like our local paper to reflect the values of the people here.  If it is not the Record Eagle, then the Record Eagle must be replaced.

This last year, something happened that has never happened before in the history of this paper. There was a service interruption for a day which affected delivery, and no one received their paper that day.  It isn't hard to see a weak financial condition when one understands that service disruption occurred because of a simple missing replacement part; missing because of 'austerity' within the organization.

Add to this, the fact that publishers pass through the Record Eagle like penniless men in a whore house, and the even more convincing reality that you have not hired one to replace the last for several months?  It indicates a condition of financial frailty.  I am concerned, as I believe a vibrant community newspaper is a valuable asset.  I am concerned as well for the employees of the R-E, many of which have seen their paycheck decline year after year, or face layoffs due to poor management.

As a local business owner, there are quite a few I know who will not patronize the advertising options afforded by the Record Eagle.  There are even more who have sworn off the paper for its incompatible bias.

Your circulation is a half of what it should be.  Your revenues are not nearly reaching potential.

This can be fixed. Easily.

I would be willing to make the necessary suggestions if you reply to this letter or call directly.

And yes, firing two of the editors would be a start.

Jason Gillman

It would only take about a month to regain the trust of the community, increase readership, and rebuild profitability. And frankly, it would reduce the exposure that an unchecked yellow editorial board can bring to the paper's owner.