The first pancake is always the worst. After publishing the first issue of our paper, we received some letters and collected a dozen or so opinions. Some people praise us, others criticize us; many are satisfied, and a few are offended. Here are some of the more important comments and opinions:
the newspaper is too expensive (and too thin);
does the editorial team really have to be exactly “like this”?
“Głos Bolesławca” is the wrong name. The newspaper should be called “Glos Bolesławca Śląskiego”;
it is not true that the PSS bakery cannot keep up (in terms of taste) with other bakeries. Proof: PSS baked goods are eaten by nearly 273 residents of the town;
we should not name those who gave nothing to the TMB, but only those who did give;
why do some people receive the newspaper for free while others have to buy it?
the newspaper should be not only a town newspaper, but also a commune newspaper.
Please accept our brief “explanation” of these accusations:
- the price of the newspaper is determined mainly by its circulation. The cost of an individual newspaper is higher the smaller the circulation. Our newspaper is a regional publication (not provincial or nationwide), so only the residents of Bolesławiec bear the costs of publishing it. A “thicker” newspaper would be even more expensive. (For comparison: “Gazeta Lwówecka” costs 3,000.) In response to our readers’ requests, we are lowering the price of the newspaper to 2,000 (two empty bottles);
the editorial team does not have to be “like this” (although we do not really understand what significance this is supposed to have). The editorial team is still open – as I wrote in the previous issue. The “imprint” states that “the current issue was written selflessly by...”. Everyone who has something interesting to share can and should write for the next issue;
Title: “Głos Bolesławca Śląskiego”? Surely this is obvious to those who live here. Perhaps the addition “Śląski” is needed for postal communication, but not for a local newspaper;
Regarding the bread: if bread from the PSS bakery tastes good to the majority of residents, we are very pleased. We hereby restore the honor of the bakers who, as it turned out, take on the difficult task of supplying the town with baked goods, especially on holidays (for example, during the recent May 1–3 period, when some bakeries took time off);
We will not name those who do not wish to support activities benefiting the town;
Some establishments (institutions, shops) buy a larger quantity, for example 100 newspapers (a kind of subscription), and distribute them free of charge to their employees (customers). They are entitled to do so;
From June onward, we are publishing “Głos Bolesławca” in alliance with the commune. Thanks to the interest and goodwill of the commune authorities, “Głos Bolesławca” is becoming the newspaper of the town and commune of Bolesławiec (Śląski, of course).