Ahhh, but you have questions. Let me try to answer a few anticipated ones to give you a better understanding of why we're doing this.
Why the 22nd?
Actually, we were tempted to go with "$20 on the 20th," but the 22nd is a Saturday, when most folks can get out to shop and dine.
Why $20?
There is a lot you can do with $20. We know times are tough, but we're hoping most of us can find $20 to inject into our local economy as our contribution to the cause.
Do you really think my $20 will make a difference?
Yes, we do. Consider this: If every adult in Yuba, Sutter and Colusa counties spends an extra $20 on the 22nd, that will mean an additional $2.7 million pumped into our local economy. Not only will it generate the sales taxes that pay for police, parks and potholes, but it helps businesses stay in business and pay employees who continue to put money back into the local economy.
But what happens after the 22nd?
Studies show money changes hands about six times in a community, Laura Nicholson, executive director of the Yuba- Sutter Chamber of Commerce, said in a recent A-D story:
"You buy a car, go to the bank, you take that money and go out to a restaurant, where you tip the waitress, who goes home and pays the baby sitter, who buys a soccer uniform for her son, who plays in a game sponsored by (local businesses)," Nicholson said.
Besides, if this program proves successful, we can do it again.
What's in it for the A-D?
We're just trying to do our part in sustaining the vitality of our community.
Let's face it: The newspaper is only as healthy as all the other businesses within our area, so we all share a vested interest in surviving the current economic mudslide. And yes, we hope that lots of businesses buy newspaper ads to let resident shoppers know what they have to offer for $20. Nonetheless, we're going to sell those ads to businesses at $20 each, which is heavily discounted from our regular rates. We're not doing this to make a buck right now -- we see it as an investment in our future and that of our community.
So there you have it. Set aside two bucks each weekday for the next two weeks and you'll have your $20 for the 22nd. Go spend it and have fun!
Contact Appeal-Democrat Publisher Dave Schmall at dschmall@appealdemocrat.com.
Credit: Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
