The intent of the law
When the Hillsboro City Council looked at only one portion of a proposal last week, they failed to follow the intent of the law.
The state law on publishing legal notices is a bit fuzzy by not describing what "general circulation" means. Until a court case tests that language, people will not know.
Clearly, however, the intent of the law is to inform the public by using paid-circulation local newspapers.
The Hillsboro Council looked at only one aspect, the price of 6.5 point Helvetica type. First, readers should know that Helvetica is a MacIntosh product. The Free Press Extra uses Macintosh. The Star-Journal uses IBM-PC computers, which do not have Helvetica. Arial, which the S-J uses, is close.
The Star-Journal bid was for larger type, 9 point, which is more readable to elderly eyes. And the price quoted by the S-J for the larger type was lower than the Extra's bid for "itty bitty" type.
One other factor should have been studied. The S-J goes to more than 1,000 homes, while the Extra sends out only 135 copies (and many of those are sent to friends and relatives).
Even though one businessman spoke up at the Council meeting in defense of the Extra, saying he reads it, we have been told that he has a financial investment in that property.
It seems that total re-evaluation should be made by the City Council. They should take a look and study all the facts. Which would be most readable, which will reach more people, and which costs less? The answer to all three is Hillsboro Star-Journal.
The decision should be re-visited. As it now stands, the City of Hillsboro will be spending more money for 38 percent smaller type going to 91 percent fewer people.
In an earlier meeting the Free Press management (which owns the Extra) argued that "they're doing it at Wichita."
Perhaps they haven't noticed that the Wichita City Commission has recognized the numerical circulation advantage of the Wichita Eagle over the Wichita Daily Reporter. The Commission opted to favor the Eagle, even though the price was significantly greater.
Hillsboro is offered a much better deal. They can publish in larger type for less money in a newspaper that has much higher paid circulation.
We respectfully submit that the Hillsboro City Council should reconsider.
In the meantime, this newspaper is making the offer to print Hillsboro City Council legal advertising free of charge until a decision has been made. Our offer is to protect the City of Hillsboro from having a serious problem if the Extra is found to be in noncompliance with the law.
— BILL MEYER
