The County Commissioners awarded the legal publishing contract for 2012 to the Ravalli Republic following a bid opening on Wednesday, January 4. The Ravalli Republic’s bid was $3.95 for a 100-word folio compared to the Bitterroot Star’s bid of $5.00.
Following the announcement of the bid prices, without any discussion, Commissioner Greg Chilcott moved to award the bid to the Ravalli Republic. With no discussion of the motion by the commissioners it was opened to public comment.
Commissioner Administrator Glenda Wiles said, “It has been excellent to work with the Howells and I do appreciate that.”
Bitterroot Star publisher Michael Howell said, “In the past, I’m sure Greg (Chilcott) and J.R. (Iman) are aware, in discussions about award of the legal bids, the circulation numbers were generally considered as well as the price. The bid was awarded to the high bidder on a number of occasions based on the fact of a higher circulation. In that case we were the lower circulation with the best bid and yet we lost the bid because it went to a higher circulation paper. I don’t know if you are still considering things like that or not… I think it’s also worth considering, since I know you are in the midst of considering an economic strategy for the county, supporting locally owned businesses.”
Commission Chair Matt Kanenwisher noted that the total average net circulation for the Bitterroot Star in the county was 6,866 with 184 going out of state. The total average net circulation for the Ravalli Republic is 4,419 with 187 going out of state.
Commissioner Chilcott asked, “When you put your papers on the stands, do you count how much is picked up later?”
“Yes,” said Bitterroot Star publisher Victoria Howell. “We also deliver to every household in Stevensville and most households in Hamilton.”
“I’m not in the business,” said Kanenwisher, “but I can make some anecdotal observations. One gets delivered to my house. I didn’t ask for it to be delivered. We get a bundle dropped off downstairs and every week there is a bunch left. You know, I don’t know what that circulation number means. I don’t know what the practices are. That’s just a couple things I notice. I don’t know what that indicates if one has a higher number.”
The commissioners voted unanimously to award the bid to the Ravalli Republic, which is owned by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa, a publicly traded company currently undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The Bitterroot Star is owned by Michael and Victoria Howell of Stevensville.
Jed Fitzpatrick says
Way to support the local valley and economy, Commissioners! Have you ever tried reading the newspaper that you didn’t ask to be delivered, Commissioner Kanenwisher, or do you just anecdotaly observe it?