We have one big barometer of performance in the newsroom. How many stories do you read over the course of a day, week or year? Now, how often does what you read move you to pick up the phone or write a check to help someone you've just been told is in a world of hurt? Bet it's not very often, if ever.

There's a formula to the phone calls we get on stories. One, and it's likely the person saw the phone number at the foot of the story and automatically dialed it. Two, three, and we know we are on to something. Ten phone calls reacting to one story, and we can safely assume a story's impact is deep. Dozens, or even hundreds of call, and we've either done something very, very good, or very, very bad. 

But we pay attention.

Journal Star owner David Copley isn't taking my calls, and he probably isn't taking yours. So if the people in this community want a say in the future of their newspaper, they are going to have to send a lot of letters to California. He'll pay attention.

There are sample letters on this site to download, customize and mail. The addresses are on the home page. Send one to David Copley, another to Journal Star Publisher Kan Mauser. Write a letter to the editor as well -- it's the Forum address.

And check this site for news about the sale. We think you have a right to know what's going on with your newspaper.