The West Haven Voice is looking to the past to move toward the future. As we look for more ways to serve our reading public, both in print and online editions of the newspaper, we are looking for those who might want to dabble in a bit of writing themselves.
Going back to a formula that worked during decades long past, the paper is looking for readers who might want to author an occasional story or column under a by-line that explains what is going on in their neighborhood. The essays can be regular or semi-regular or just occasionally.
Editor Bill Riccio, Jr. said looking back at issues of former newspapers, the ownership team came up with the idea.
“In older publications, writers discussed events and people in their neighborhoods and areas of town,” he said. “We thought we’d would see if there were any interest in the formula, hoping to get regular people talking about regular people.”
The topics can be something not only about neighborhoods, but hobbies, technical or mechanical issues or something similar.
“The idea is ‘If you’re interested in it, so is someone else.’ So, we’re looking for a broad range of citizen journalists who would like to see their efforts in the print edition and in the various platforms of social media,” Riccio said.
In going back to issues of newspapers 40 years or more, the owners found local features with local writers below standing heads (column logos) that brought attention to what was being discussed.
“The range of what was in the column was staggering in that there was a lot of talent there. We would like to see writers from West Haven or Notre Dame or middle schools, for example. Writers talking about things from the public library forums that take place, or there are neighborhood associations that plan things, they can have space to discuss what they are doing. Sandy Point comes to mind,” said Riccio.
In a city of 54,000 people there are many interests and many like-minded readers. Giving someone the opportunity to express themselves and their interests is the hope.
“The late Merle Stevens used to make a joke, ‘All West Haven, like Caesar’s Gaul, is divided into three parts,’” Riccio said. “The city’s three fire districts, like it or not, give each district a certain flavor under one umbrella. The interests of the various districts can be the same in some things, and vastly different in others. That is something we hope to capture.”
Those interested in learning about the effort should email [email protected] with a sketch-out or thesis line to let us know where they see their efforts going. Questions can be directed at the same address.
“We will accept calls at (203) 934-6397 but believe giving us an idea via the email address will be more productive,” Riccio said. “Either way we hope to get this project begun as quickly as possible.