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SHARP: New comic, columns follow survey
By JEANNY SHARP, Herald Editor and Publisher
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You talked and we listened.
Our ongoing mission to improve the lives of our readers means we work hard to stay up-to-date on what matters most to our community. That’s especially true in providing timely news, information and entertainment.
Recent readership polls on comics and columnists in The Ottawa Herald showed voters’ favorite and least favorite features. We received some colorful comments, too.
Blondie, Garfield and Peanuts topped the list of Herald readers’ traditional favorite comics. Adult readers also named Pickles, For Better or For Worse, Beetle Bailey and Zits among their top comics, while youth readers put Family Circus and Baby Blues near the top of their list. Whatever reasons bring readers back to the comics page each day, it was clear readers have a broad interest in a variety of comics.
Readers clearly were ready to see two comics, Mutts and the Lockhorns, go away. Those changes made way for a new comic and more space for another popular comic.
Rubes, by Leigh Rubin, recently joined The Herald’s family of comics. The comic features talking cows, less-than-bright kids and varieties of flora and fauna in this witty, offbeat cartoon panel. The interesting characters and absurd views of the world are sure to make Rubes a favorite with readers. It is the closest we’ve seen to the long-missed Far Side.
The change allowed Family Circus to be enlarged and easier to read.
The surveys led to changes in The Herald’s columnists as well.
In general, more people said they read local columnists more frequently than national columnists.
Herald staff writers Linda Brown and Audrey Lintner topped the list of favorite columnists while Dr. James Dobson, who writes about issues on family and parenting, ranked at the top of national columnists rankings. Brown writes about family and lifestyle issues and Lintner writes about gardening.
Politics tended to drive respondents’ views of a columnist. Conservative readers enjoyed local columnist Tommy Felts, who writes about current events and politics, along with national columnists Rich Lowry and Michael Reagan. On the other side of the political spectrum, readers favored Charley Reese, Jim Hightower, Donald Kaul and Tom Purcell.
Local columnist Tom Beaver certainly raised the ire of many readers who complained about his “constant whining” (their words) and his focus on Native American issues. At the same time, Beaver brings some welcome diversity to the editorial page.
Readers also may notice a few new faces writing the Thursday “What’s Going on” column, offering different views on area events and tourism.
A parenting column by The Herald’s Brian Williams debuted recently. Williams, a single dad, offers a new perspective with a lighter look at the challenges of raising today’s kids.
Another new feature is expected to include columns from Ottawa University faculty.
Are there other local columnists you would like to read? If so, let me know.
Keep talking and we’ll continue to listen, respond and keep doing all we can to provide community news and community connections.
Jeanny Sharp is editor and publisher of The Ottawa Herald. E-mail her at jsharp@otttawaherald.com.
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