PNA Foundation, July 24

Foundation Update: More town hall meetings on the horizon

By Lauren Lee, Director
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Foundation
(717) 703-3002

When we originally thought about co-sponsoring a series of town hall meetings with the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN), we viewed it as an experiment. And after hosting two successful town hall meetings already and with two more scheduled, we have decided to incorporate it into the Foundation’s agenda. Similar to other recent Foundation initiatives, the goal of the town hall meetings is to demonstrate, in a highly visible way, that newspapers are an intrinsic part of every community. Based on the attendance at the Coudersport and McKeesport town hall meetings, we think it is a great opportunity for newspapers to show local citizens that they are active participants in what’s going on around them -- and not just observers.

PNA members should tune into PCN on Tuesday, July 29, 7-9 p.m., to watch a town hall meeting on the recent "boon" in natural gas mining occurring in Lycoming County. Together with the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and The Express in Lock Haven, the Foundation and PNA have planned what promises to be a popular and engaging event. In the past six months, several informational sessions and workshops on the natural gas industry have drawn as many as 800 to 1,000 people. The timing couldn’t be better to hold a town hall meeting that includes the perspective of a landowner, industry expert, economist and environmentalist brought together by the editorial staff at the Williamsport and Lock Haven papers.

On Aug. 21, the Foundation and PCN are partnering with the Pocono Record in Stroudsburg to sponsor a meeting on the region’s social tensions brought on by the ten-year influx of out-of-state newbies and resulting rapid growth and development. When the Foundation approached the Pocono Record’s editorial staff, they were enthused by the idea of showing local residents and readers that the newspaper encourages this type of open dialogue.

Do you have an idea for a town hall meeting in your area? Is there something that sparks debate and discussion amongst your readers on a regular basis? Consider looking to your "letters to the editor" for topics that lend themselves to a town hall meeting format. The Foundation is happy to get the ball rolling and assist you in planning one. If you are interested, please contact Lauren Lee at (717) 703-3002 or laurenl@pa-news.org.

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