Neighborhood newspaper association celebrates 20th

by Glenn Gullmes

Twenty years ago, a group of community newspaper publishers laid the groundwork for what would become a powerful force for neighborhood preservation and small business vitality in the City.

Spearheaded by the late David Ish, publisher of the New Fillmore newspaper, members of the San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association (SFNNA) decided to combine their strengths - loyal readers, dedicated citizens and professional journalists, uniquely targeted content and community relationships - to increase their effectiveness by sharing newsgathering resources and developing a cooperative network for securing major advertisers.

Two decades later, the members of the SFNNA are still writing their own local success stories.

Trustees Paul Kozakiewicz and Glenn Gullmes - two publishers who were present during the organization's founding - have seen the ranks and circulation of the SFNNA double over the years. Today, with about 300,000 copies hitting the streets every month, the SFNNA's 16 newspapers reach more city residents than any single edition of any other San Francisco-based news publication.

As champions of the free press, the civic-minded publications have taken their community-building responsibilities very seriously, working closely with local organizations to preserve the unique character of the City's diverse and vibrant neighborhoods. They have also promoted awareness and participation in local issues, affecting residents and merchants alike.

With their finger on the pulse of their respective neighborhoods, the SFNNA publishers have been actively involved in ongoing discussions that have helped shape public policies directly impacting various neighborhood stakeholders throughout the City. Public and private institutions have long recognized the neighborhood newspapers' value in reaching out to city residents.

Government officials, ranging from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to District Attorney Kamala Harris, have met with the publishers of the group. Likewise, the SFNNA has held quarterly City Hall meetings with mayors Art Agnos, Frank Jordan, Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom to present their perspectives on a variety of community concerns.

Along the way, the publishers have vigorously advocated on behalf of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, taking strong stands on issues that would restrict their right to distribute their newspapers, fighting taxes on newsprint and printing, and monitoring citywide newsrack legislation that is currently being implemented.

Realizing the importance of shopping locally, the SFNNA encourages readers to support their local merchants, including advertisers that support neighborhood publications. The cooperative effort between neighborhood newspapers, merchants and local residents will continue to build on previous successes as long as everyone involved does their part to maintain a strong community.

Glenn Gullmes is the publisher of the West Portal Monthly. This article appeared in San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association publications. For more information, call (415) 831-0461. The SFNNA's Web site is located at www.sfnna.com.