A note to our readers

Published 6:00 am Sunday, June 5, 2016

Today’s issue of this newspaper marks a new phase in the 124 years it’s been published, as this issue was printed in Houma at The Daily Courier as we have outsourced our printing operations.

The change was driven by two main factors. First, we project to save operating costs and save on future large capital investment as we won’t be responsible for replacing or updating expensive printing equipment. Second, while it saves money, this move increases our printing capabilities, greatly expanding our ability to print color on more pages, increases overall print quality and provides printing options that weren’t previously available.

Over coming weeks our readers and advertisers should see visible evidence of these increased print capabilities, for example seeing us to start publishing wedding and engagement photos in color, more color pictures elsewhere in the paper, more option for advertisers to use color in their ads and more.

It’s not unusual for smaller community newspapers to print at a central printing plant. Many newspapers in South Louisiana, across our state and around the country have for years been printed at plants separate from their business offices. More are moving to this model for the same reasons it makes good business sense for us.

With regret this change means jobs lost for four full-time and a number of regular part-time employees. All are being given severance packages and we will do what we can to help these good workers find other jobs.

Along with the change in printing comes a change in our delivery schedule as the newspaper switches to morning delivery Monday through Friday, to be completed by 6 or 6:30 a.m.

This change will allow readers to have a choice about when they choose to read their local newspaper. It also creates some sales and marketing opportunities we believe will benefit our business.

This also means changes in the work schedules for our newsroom personnel and our carriers who deliver your paper each day. We appreciate their positive approach to the significant change in their workdays and how we think it will benefit our customers.

No doubt there will be some growing pains associated with this significant change in our publishing efforts. Please be patient as we work to learn the routine involved with this new system. We believe these changes will produce improvements you will be able to see and appreciate.

We thank you for your continued support.

WILL CHAPMAN

PUBLISHER