As one of Will’s colleagues for three decades, I can also attest to the passion for community journalism that made Glens Falls a better place. Over the years, the newspaper took on complicated and critical issues facing the region like domestic violence, opioid abuse, growing up gay, underage drinking, freedom of information, the Madden Hotel, same-sex marriage while holding countless politicians accountable. Will and his wife Bella brought new attention to scourge of Alzheimer’s by sharing their own personal stories. At the heart of that journalism was committed and passionate reporters and editors. The Post-Star made a national reputation for its work. If Mr. Frost has any doubts about that, he should pick up a copy of “The Last American Newspaper.” It is all there. While we were doing the work of the community, Mr. Frost did every thing in his power to tear down the newspaper and its work. I always found that was very sad business way and a horrible way to live one’s life. Sorry to hear, he is still at it.
The “free” papers are problematic too. People will pick them up because they are “free” — who wouldn’t? — but they are only really accountable to the advertisers, so they tend to be lighter than “paid” papers, but syphoning off their advertising revenue.
While I follow the New York Times and the Washington Post, I read daily the Plattsburgh Press Republican and weekly the SUN and am thankful for the record they document of our local life. Any researcher who uses the historic newspapers as a source of information can appreciate the value of local newspapers. And thank you for 'The Front Page'.
Since moving to the area 25 years ago, The Post-Star has been an important part of our (wife Meg and me) lives. We especially appreciated, and still do, the contributions of you and Ken.
Newspapers have always played a significant part in my life. Growing up in southwestern Michigan, The Chicago Tribune and the local newspaper were always on the living room coffee table, along with Time magazine.
Starting college as a poli -sci/econ major,, in Political Science 101 we were required to read the Nw York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Kalamazoo Gazzete daily, and each Friday had a quiz on them.
One of the churches I serverd in Ohio had as a member the editor/publisher of the local newspaper. We became very close.
In another community, when I served four years as president of the school board during a tumultuous time, the local newspaper played a significant role in our attempts at bringing about healing and progress in the public schools and the community.
Today, newspapers are still an important part of our lives, including the Post Star, The NY Times (Sunday print and daily digital), sometimes the Washington Post (digital) and, yes, the Chronicle.
So, thanks again to you and Ken for the helpful perspectives you bring.
Congratulations on your thoughtful piece. I have always appreciated great newsmen and great stories, dating back more than 65 years ago when I was a summer cub at the Post Star while at Glens Falls High. I later moved on to reporting and column writing in Albany and St. Louis before jumping - for financial reasons only - to a Congressional staff and later a huge non profit. For civic minded work and madcap fun, nothing ever beat the news business though. All these years later, I still look forward daily to incredible pieces by NY Timesmen like Peter Baker, and, at the same time, greatly admire small paper pros like Greg Brownell (editor-writer) and Maury Thompson (contributor)at the Post-Star.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Will Doolittle for calling out Mark Frost. I did not read his opinion because I stopped looking at his paper at the beginning of the covid pandemic. He printed an article by his uninformed and unqualified son Max saying that China was at fault for the pandemic. On the next page he featured Elise Stefanik introducing a bill to blame China for covid (instead of trying to help out her constituents who were dying in droves). I wrote a “letter to the editor” saying the paper would never darken my door again, and I never looked back. It is clear to anyone who read his snide comments about the Post Star over the years that he is an individual who wishes deep down that he owned a news organization instead of a social calendar weekly.
I remember when Mark Frost tried to charge for The Chronicle and that lasted for, I believe, one issue. It costs what it’s worth. The invisible hand of Mr. Market at work.
Every day, we came in to work to put out the best newspaper we could. We had a mission to serve the community that came from the top. We worked hard as a team, we helped and guided each other, we learned from one another, we took legitimate criticism to heart, we critiqued ourselves, we argued over approach and policy and style, we learned from our mistakes and we strived to make the next day's paper better than the last day's. I'm proud of every day of the 26 years I worked at The Post-Star. I really never paid attention to what Mark Frost thought because he wasn't in our newsroom, so what did he know about any of it?
I drove a rural route for 17 years. The pay was poor but I loved the job. It gave me freedom, a chance to be out in nature, and the night sky was spectacular. For several years I had to subsidize the route with other work to keep myself afloat but that was one of the best jobs I ever had. Minimal office politics, the road belonged to me and some of my customers were simply wonderful. I had to give it up because I could no longer afford the car payments and the insurance company wouldn't renew my policy. Too many deer hits. Zero accidents. Zero property damage.
I see the paper will no longer be a daily and I am so sad for the City, for the rural areas who loved the paper, for my customers, and for the drivers. And for all those who worked there and continue to do so. Newspaper is one of the noblest enterprises around, with a few exceptions.
I am sorry for what Lee did to the paper. Was amazed and delighted when Malone got the Pulitzer. What an amazing feat for a daily from a small town to get such an award.
This paper will be missed. And democracy will suffer.
As one of Will’s colleagues for three decades, I can also attest to the passion for community journalism that made Glens Falls a better place. Over the years, the newspaper took on complicated and critical issues facing the region like domestic violence, opioid abuse, growing up gay, underage drinking, freedom of information, the Madden Hotel, same-sex marriage while holding countless politicians accountable. Will and his wife Bella brought new attention to scourge of Alzheimer’s by sharing their own personal stories. At the heart of that journalism was committed and passionate reporters and editors. The Post-Star made a national reputation for its work. If Mr. Frost has any doubts about that, he should pick up a copy of “The Last American Newspaper.” It is all there. While we were doing the work of the community, Mr. Frost did every thing in his power to tear down the newspaper and its work. I always found that was very sad business way and a horrible way to live one’s life. Sorry to hear, he is still at it.
I second the motion, Ken.
Greg Brown
The “free” papers are problematic too. People will pick them up because they are “free” — who wouldn’t? — but they are only really accountable to the advertisers, so they tend to be lighter than “paid” papers, but syphoning off their advertising revenue.
Ironic that guy from that free Glens Falls weekly thinks others should learn humility.
So true, Marks non stop criticism of the Post Star goes against what he’s always preaching about “ hometown “ people.
While I follow the New York Times and the Washington Post, I read daily the Plattsburgh Press Republican and weekly the SUN and am thankful for the record they document of our local life. Any researcher who uses the historic newspapers as a source of information can appreciate the value of local newspapers. And thank you for 'The Front Page'.
Right on. Chronicle has a place, but it’s not news, unless you define “news” as real esrate , restaurants and sports.
Thank you, Will!
Since moving to the area 25 years ago, The Post-Star has been an important part of our (wife Meg and me) lives. We especially appreciated, and still do, the contributions of you and Ken.
Newspapers have always played a significant part in my life. Growing up in southwestern Michigan, The Chicago Tribune and the local newspaper were always on the living room coffee table, along with Time magazine.
Starting college as a poli -sci/econ major,, in Political Science 101 we were required to read the Nw York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Kalamazoo Gazzete daily, and each Friday had a quiz on them.
One of the churches I serverd in Ohio had as a member the editor/publisher of the local newspaper. We became very close.
In another community, when I served four years as president of the school board during a tumultuous time, the local newspaper played a significant role in our attempts at bringing about healing and progress in the public schools and the community.
Today, newspapers are still an important part of our lives, including the Post Star, The NY Times (Sunday print and daily digital), sometimes the Washington Post (digital) and, yes, the Chronicle.
So, thanks again to you and Ken for the helpful perspectives you bring.
Shalom!
Congratulations on your thoughtful piece. I have always appreciated great newsmen and great stories, dating back more than 65 years ago when I was a summer cub at the Post Star while at Glens Falls High. I later moved on to reporting and column writing in Albany and St. Louis before jumping - for financial reasons only - to a Congressional staff and later a huge non profit. For civic minded work and madcap fun, nothing ever beat the news business though. All these years later, I still look forward daily to incredible pieces by NY Timesmen like Peter Baker, and, at the same time, greatly admire small paper pros like Greg Brownell (editor-writer) and Maury Thompson (contributor)at the Post-Star.
-Dave Nathan, Bethesda, MD
Thank you, thank you, thank you Will Doolittle for calling out Mark Frost. I did not read his opinion because I stopped looking at his paper at the beginning of the covid pandemic. He printed an article by his uninformed and unqualified son Max saying that China was at fault for the pandemic. On the next page he featured Elise Stefanik introducing a bill to blame China for covid (instead of trying to help out her constituents who were dying in droves). I wrote a “letter to the editor” saying the paper would never darken my door again, and I never looked back. It is clear to anyone who read his snide comments about the Post Star over the years that he is an individual who wishes deep down that he owned a news organization instead of a social calendar weekly.
Well said!!
I remember when Mark Frost tried to charge for The Chronicle and that lasted for, I believe, one issue. It costs what it’s worth. The invisible hand of Mr. Market at work.
Good article. I believe as you say that the employees at the Post Star cared about their work and were proud of it. They had reason to be.
I have yet to see any reports on how cops on the street or law enforcement unions feel about weapons of war on the street. Can you find out?
Every day, we came in to work to put out the best newspaper we could. We had a mission to serve the community that came from the top. We worked hard as a team, we helped and guided each other, we learned from one another, we took legitimate criticism to heart, we critiqued ourselves, we argued over approach and policy and style, we learned from our mistakes and we strived to make the next day's paper better than the last day's. I'm proud of every day of the 26 years I worked at The Post-Star. I really never paid attention to what Mark Frost thought because he wasn't in our newsroom, so what did he know about any of it?
Never respected Mark Frost, for a multitude of reasons.
I drove a rural route for 17 years. The pay was poor but I loved the job. It gave me freedom, a chance to be out in nature, and the night sky was spectacular. For several years I had to subsidize the route with other work to keep myself afloat but that was one of the best jobs I ever had. Minimal office politics, the road belonged to me and some of my customers were simply wonderful. I had to give it up because I could no longer afford the car payments and the insurance company wouldn't renew my policy. Too many deer hits. Zero accidents. Zero property damage.
I see the paper will no longer be a daily and I am so sad for the City, for the rural areas who loved the paper, for my customers, and for the drivers. And for all those who worked there and continue to do so. Newspaper is one of the noblest enterprises around, with a few exceptions.
I am sorry for what Lee did to the paper. Was amazed and delighted when Malone got the Pulitzer. What an amazing feat for a daily from a small town to get such an award.
This paper will be missed. And democracy will suffer.