Whom does it hurt?
The city has made its decision.
A publication little more than a year old, with a circulation of little more than 150, with a typical size of eight tabloid pages, several of which are devoted to rehashed news, movie reviews, a crossword puzzle, and a word search — this is the publication that will print the city's legal notices.
The city got bids from both the Free Press Extra and the Star-Journal. The bids were asked for a certain point size, 6.5.
And for that size, the Extra bested the Star-Journal by seven cents per line.
So the city goes with the lowest bidder, right? Case closed?
Not quite.
A few questions first.
No. 1: Does the city realize that according to Kansas State Statute 28-137, legals are to be charged by lines per inch, not just lines?
No. 2: Does the city realize that when the text of a word is larger, fewer lines fit in an inch?
No. 3: Does the city realize that the Star-Journal publishes legals in larger type, charging much less than the Extra and allowing readers with failing eyesight to actually read the notices?
No. 4: Should city council members have, at least, discussed the other, cheaper options presented them before making a decision?
These questions need answers.
But they won't be answered — because city officials already formulated their answers before the queries existed.
And at the very bottom line, who suffers? Hillsboro taxpayers. Because they foot the higher bill.
— JENNIFER WILSON
