The loss of the physical newspaper last month felt like a real blow to what has, for a long time, been a central part of the community fabric here in Marfa and beyond. It is and was an important tool in keeping the people of all ages (and regions) in this community connected — something the internet isn’t capable of doing as not everyone is fluent in computer know-how.
It therefore confuses me as to why we weren’t given the option to pay more for the physical paper at any point, instead of it simply ending without notice. We would gladly pay double if not more for a yearly subscription — money I assume would be very helpful in keeping the print paper alive. Please consider bringing back the printed paper. It’s worth so much more than just what’s printed inside it.
Marielle La Rue
Marfa
A local paper isn’t just a way to deliver information. It’s a place where a community sees itself all at once: city government, school lunch menus, business openings, obituaries, sports, opinions and regional concerns — the events that make up daily life.
Print slows the news down. It encourages attention instead of speed. You often read beyond the story you came for and always leave knowing your community a little better. It’s an experience digital can’t replicate.
I’d gladly pay a higher annual subscription if it meant keeping the printed edition of the Big Bend Sentinel. I suspect many other readers would as well.
Remember: “Print Is Not Dead.”
Jennifer Elsner
Marfa
Editor’s note: We have received several emails from readers offering to pay more to receive a print edition. While that’s a good indication of support, it’s not that simple. Even tripling the cost for every print subscriber would not go far enough because even digital subscribers would see a significant hike, since they are part of the revenue that pays into the big pot for operations like printing. We’ll keep working on new revenue streams to find a solution.
