Working on a long term printing solution for Newfoundland

By Craig Westcott

You’ve obviously noticed the changes in The Shoreline this week. It’s a result of the closure of The Telegram press which used to print this paper. Until we bring newspaper printing back to Newfoundland, we’re having to get printed on the mainland. It’s a lot more costly — this box tab you’re reading costs 45 per cent more than we were paying for printing at home — then there’s the shipping.

I’ve spent the better part of three weeks calling printers and shippers trying to get this first “away” edition printed and shipped on time. As I write this, the shipper that was lined up is leaving a day earlier than expected, because of the Labour Day holiday, so I have to drive to Nova Scotia to pick up the papers and bring them back. Next week the shipping schedule will return to normal and The Shoreline will be brought in on the same truck that brings in all those flyers you pick up at the store.

It’s not an ideal arrangement and the only obvious solution, if this province wants to maintain a printing and publishing industry, is to have a press here at home. I am working to find a solution to that. It won’t happen overnight, but I am hopeful it will be accomplished.

Meanwhile, we are looking forward to working with Gary Beek and the folks at Brunswick News in Moncton, New Brunswick, who provided the lowest quote among the three printers in the Maritimes, and has been patient and persistent in trying to help us solve the shippings challenges. Thanks too to Brad Strange, formerly of Saltwire, now circulation manager with PostMedia in Newfoundland, who is providing a longer term arangement for our shipping starting next week.
So stay with us, we’re not going anywhere.