Our national economy is in a shambles. Layoffs, stimulus, bailouts ... it seems to have no ending.
The impact is starting to be felt locally. Masonite, one of the longest serving employers in Jones County, recently announced their parent company will be filing bankruptcy. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Jones County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. People are working and spending their money locally. That includes the people who work at the newspaper you are currently reading.
There are a couple dozen dedicated carriers who deliver the newspaper to you each day. There are another couple of dozen folks who work to produce the newspaper each day. All of these people use local banks, retail stores, buy gas and food, go to church and belong to civic organizations. They live and pay taxes in Jones County, just like you do. In short, they are part of this community.
Since its inception, a local weekly newspaper has continued to harp on how the Leader-Call is owned by a company based outside of Mississippi and that businesses should spend their money “locally” supporting their publication. This, of course, is a ridiculous statement. Like many newspapers across the nation, our newspaper is owned by a company which is based in Birmingham, Ala. But that is the only connection we have outside of Jones County and the Magnolia State.
A majority of the advertising and news content comes from right here in Jones County and Mississippi. Our paper is printed each day in Meridian at our sister publication, the Meridian Star. That other newspaper? They’re printed in Monroeville, Ala.
Delving a little deeper into that other publication. Several of their employees either worked for the Leader-Call or worked at a newspaper that is owned by our company. They either have issues with the LL-C, our company, or both and therefore take the stance of stating the LL-C is not “local.”
The fact is we are all about local — news, advertising, and the people who work to bring you both seven days a week. That also goes for our website which includes local video and our quarterly magazine “Oak Street” highlighting local feature stories on the people and places in our community.
This newspaper — and the people who work here — takes great pride in bringing you the news that matters the most to you, your family and community every day of the week.
And for the record, this newspaper was the first to bring you the story about the issues facing Masonite. And just this week, we were the first to break the stories on an embezzlement investigation at JCJC and the closure of Immaculate Conception School after 50-plus years in Jones County.
The possibility that Laurel is getting a Buffalo Wild Wings? Despite other reports, the Leader-Call brought you that story first, too — back on January 30, 2008 (more than a year ago). We’ve followed that story from the time the company denied opening a Laurel location to within the past few weeks when local investors confirmed the project was close to becoming a reality.
Want local, timely news and the most bang for your advertising dollar seven days a week? Choose the local daily newspaper.
— Rob Sigler,
Editor
Editorials
We are part of the community
- Editorials
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Dems’ turnout slips since ‘07 primary
More people voted Democratic than Republican in Mississippi’s primaries last week, but that doesn’t mean the Dems should break out the bubbly. In fact, the numbers might give them reason for heartburn.
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Risk-rewards of beachfront homeownership
People who build beachfront homes in Biloxi know they are taking a risk. Maybe not this year or the next or even the next, but sooner or later Mother Nature will deliver her fury, usually in the form of a hurricane, against the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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OUR VIEW: Awesome job in landing major company locally
Christmas came six months early for Jones County when it was announced this week a major manufacturer would set up shop in the Howard Technology Park, something the facility has been attempting to acquire for years. And from all accounts, it was a team effort to have this gift end up in our lap.
- OUR VIEW: Teen ‘prank’ could be deadly
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Hurdles to taxing online sales
The next time you’re talking with candidates for the Legislature, ask if they think everyone should pay their fair share of sales taxes.
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New Choctaw chief seeks tribal unity
For 28 years, Phillip Martin was the very public face of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, as comfortable in the halls of Congress as he was at the Mississippi Capitol.
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OUR VIEW: Tough Decisions Ahead
Jones County Tax Assessor Ramona Q. Blackledge recently released preliminary revenue numbers for the coming year compared to this year and it looks like we will be facing a loss of about $700,000 in our annual revenues.
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OUR VIEW: Why the obsession?
The earth finally began to rotate once again Tuesday afternoon after being suspended while the world watched the Casey Anthony murder trial play out the past month in a Florida courtroom.
- OUR VIEW: Thank our military this July Fourth
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ATV drivers need safe place to ride
The recent front-page article regarding problems caused by riding ATV’s (All-Terrain Vehicles) in improper places and manner motivated me to pass along some thoughts I have on the issue.
- More Editorials Headlines
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Dems’ turnout slips since ‘07 primary
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
