In defence of retaining Sunny South News mass subscription by the County

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Sunny South News

Editor’s Note: This letter was written prior to the County’s decision to proceed with Advertising and Notification Bylaw 26-008 on April 2.

Q.R. access to County information don’t cut it for me, at my age. Holding the paper in my hands with the necessary info and articles suits me the best.

The local weekly paper covers the ads for many county businesses, and the ratepayers have easy access because they get the papers in their mailboxes. No codes or clicking required. So, indirectly the County promotes the business community; besides the farmers, all pillars of our communities.

If you proceed with the recommendation of your latest staff member the readership will be greatly reduced if the onus falls on the ratepayers to subscribe themselves. They are all busy people trying to make a living and pay their taxes. 

What is the cost of the salary of the latest bureaucrat, since we don’t have a “sunshine list”? Put that over against the supposed $60,000 savings. What’s the net loss? Just asking. It would be much more palatable to have him find formulas to lower the tax burden. Now at least I get one tangible on my taxes – a weekly copy of the News. 

The minutes of your council meetings used to be published before adoption, to me that was very informative. I wouldn’t have known about today’s (April 2) public hearing if I had not had a copy of the News of last week.

I strongly urge you not to proceed with this proposal under consideration, and not proceed with the subsequent second, third and final votes. To me, you are allowing “the tail to wag the dog”!

Lastly, to quote an old English saying, “Let’s not be penny-wise but pound foolish.”

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Henry Heinen, Picture Butte