AUSTINTOWN — Some 35 people came to the Austintown Library on Monday for the first “Meet the Vindicator” event and to have a conversation with the newspaper’s key managers.

Among the topics of discussion were questions about preprint ads, coverage and where papers are sold. Staff addressed concerns about phone service and circulation, which Publisher Charles Jarvis said have improved significantly over the past months.

On hand to answer questions, in addition to Jarvis, were General Manager Ted Snyder; Editor Brenda J. Linert; Advertising Director Harry Newman; and Circulation Director Bill Shultz.

Tom Arens, a member of the Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown, and several others raised questions about how to get community and nonprofit event listings published. An information sheet was available explaining how to submit different types of news to The Vindicator. News can most easily be submitted by e-mail to news@tribtoday.com. Society and community news may be emailed to society@tribtoday.com, or by calling the newsroom at 330-841-1738.

“We really do want to be responsive to people sending us community news,” said Jarvis.

Others suggested changes and recommended areas where they would like to see more coverage.

“The press is extremely important in this day and age,” Boardman resident Christine Rhode said. “As our country is under siege, so much of it is shaded with subjective opinion. It’s very hard to find the truth.”

While Rhode said she doesn’t always agree with topics appearing on The Vindicator’s Opinion page, others who spoke said they preferred the balance of the new Vindicator over the previous publication. The Tribune Chronicle took over publication and distribution of The Vindicator beginning Sept. 1, after the previous Vindicator closed its doors Aug. 31.

Jarvis shared the story of how the Tribune Chronicle took on The Vindicator after its predecessor announced plans to shut down. A deal struck between the former Vindicator and the Tribune Chronicle in late August left the staff with only 11 days to kick off publishing the newspaper. From that day, the goal was to create a community-oriented newspaper and fill a need in the community.

“I like to pride myself — we all do — that we are a community newspaper,” Linert said.

Members of the audience expressed their appreciation for the newspaper and for the community meetings that will be held around Mahoning County in coming weeks.

“We never had a meeting with the (old) Vindicator, so we appreciate you for this,” Gary Reel, an Austintown resident and Rotary Club of Austintown member, said.

“It wouldn’t matter how much effort we put into it if we don’t have the support from the readers,” Snyder said.

The next “Meet the Vindicator” event will be 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Public Library of Youngstown, 305 Wick Ave., with more events to follow in February and March.

avugrincic@tribtoday.com

Join the discussion

Meet the Vindicator, 6:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Wednesday – Youngstown

Public Library of Youngstown large meeting room

305 Wick Ave.

Feb. 17 – Boardman

Boardman Library large meeting room

7680 Glenwood Ave.

Feb. 18 – Campbell

Roosevelt Park Community Center

Sycamore Drive

Feb. 24 – Struthers

Mauthe Park

156 Smithfield St.

March 2 – Poland

Poland Library

311 South Main St.

March 4 – Canfield

Canfield Library

43 West Main St.

March 9 – Lowellville

Lowellville village offices

140 East Liberty St.

March 11 – Columbiana

6 p.m., Columbiana Public Library Salchow Meeting Room

332 North Middle St.

March 24 – Youngstown

2 p.m., Public Library of Youngstown large meeting room

305 Wick Ave.