Walton Sun alive and well!

**Walton Sun Pub** · 01-13-2009, 02:34 PM

Recent forum posts on SoWal.com forums have wondered, "Is The Walton Sun still in business?" I can tell you that the answer is an absolute "yes!"
It was disheartening to read in recent posts that someone has been telling business owners that The Sun is out of business. While I hate calling anyone's ethics into question, I can tell you that nothing could be farther from the truth!
The Sun came into South Walton almost 12 years ago with a strong commitment to South Walton to deliver a newspaper charged with local reporting and a not-to-be-matched penetration that delivers our advertisers' messages to the widest audience�wider than any other print competitor.
While the economy has prompted us to make some changes in our business, our original commitment to both our readers and our advertisers has not wavered. It is, in fact, stronger than ever. We are working daily with local business owners to spread their message across South Walton. Their success is our success...and our success will continue to bring both South Walton residents and our visitors the best newspaper possible.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, "Rumors of The Walton Sun's death have been greatly exaggerated!" We have made a long-term commitment to South Walton and will be here for a long time to come!

We thank all of you who continue to support your newspaper!

Rick Thomason, Publisher, The Walton Sun

**Smiling JOe** · 01-13-2009, 04:06 PM

I remember when I moved to South Walton, several years ago. One of my favorite things to do on Saturday mornings was to take a Walton Sun from my driveway, and head to the beach for a morning read. As I recall, the paper was maybe one juicy section, filled with only local news stories and photos. Regardless of the story, I read every word of every story, and I looked at all of the ads. Richard Owen did a fabulous job of capturing moments. In more recent years, the paper exploded with so many real estate ads, that it seemed there wasn't enough "news" to write, locally, and when it expanded to AP stories, it kind of went down hill for me.

Maybe this unfortunate trimming down of advertisers, will create the opportunity to get the Walton Sun back to its roots of that which made it my favorite newspaper of any place I've ever lived -- local stories only. The problems in paradise seem so much more fun to read than stories about national events.

Best of luck to the Sun. I hope everyone is able to send some more ad $ your way to add more local writers and photographers, and keep the Walton Sun around for a long time.

**kurt** · 01-13-2009, 04:13 PM

Thanks Rick! We have always enjoyed reading your paper.

**Walton Sun Pub** · 01-13-2009, 04:28 PM

The "well" part means we're here to stay. Yes, our business has taken a hit in the economic downturn, as have many, many others. But we are out every day working with local business owners/managers to try to help them increase traffic into their businesses. We view our relationships with our advertisers as a true partnership and know if we can help them succeed, then everyone wins.
Thanks to all for your comments!

Rick

**AAbsolute** · 01-13-2009, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Walton Sun Pub

The "well" part means we're here to stay. Yes, our business has taken a hit in the economic downturn, as have many, many others. But we are out every day working with local business owners/managers to try to help them increase traffic into their businesses. We view our relationships with our advertisers as a true partnership and know if we can help them succeed, then everyone wins.
Thanks to all for your comments!

Rick

Rick,

I've got some ideas on how we can help each other. Let's you and I meet outback behind the old sycamore and we can form a true partnership.

John

**Miss Kitty** · 01-13-2009, 05:52 PM

Thanks, Rick! This is the best place to tell us what's going on!

We CAN handle the truth!

I heart The Walton Sun.

**Miss Critter** · 01-13-2009, 06:09 PM

Me, too!

**Coffee House** · 01-13-2009, 07:54 PM

Thank goodness! I always enjoy meeting folks in the Coffee House and recognising them from "The Sun".

**DuneLaker** · 01-13-2009, 08:14 PM

Keep the coffee hot for tomorrow and a Walton Sun on the table to read.

**Walton Sun Pub** · 01-13-2009, 09:13 PM

OK AAbsolute...since I'm new at this...can't figure out who I'm talking to! ACK! :)

**Bobby J** · 01-13-2009, 09:19 PM

I have advertised with the Walton Sun from day one. My advertising all started with my first business, Collaborations. I have enjoyed and looked over the Sun every Saturday since inception. One can easily tell The Sun is going through some changes. I have also been concerned that the end might be near. Get back to the basics. We all are having to adjust and make changes. Those that are being successful in Real Estate or any business right now are doing just that. The Sun has always made the locals feel like they are a part of the paper. I think your continued success is going to require you to get back to what got you here (SJ, hit the nail on the head here). In a sense the Sun is an important part of our community. We need you here.

I would also like to add as an advertiser with the Sun for almost 12 years solid I have gotten tons of business from my ads. I hear people all the time tell me that their ad did not work. One ad does not work. Heck, many ads may not work. Making your ads work is a long term commitment to advertising. I can not imagine having a local business and not advertising in the Sun. Give it a chance and make a true commitment to your business plan and I promise The Sun will shine for you. I have almost 12 years of ads to prove it.

**AAbsolute** · 01-14-2009, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Walton Sun Pub

OK AAbsolute...since I'm new at this...can't figure out who I'm talking to! ACK! :)

That's probably not a bad thing..... Check out my SoWal profile page. By gones are by gones. AAbsolute's a super cool dude who loves the Walton Sun and Burt Moore. If you still talk to Gwen Break ask her, she'll back me up.

**John R** · 01-14-2009, 09:16 AM

Please bring back The Sun. The move to 'the wire' was a bad one, imo. That stuff can be read anywhere. I don't need The Sun to tell me about the two headed goat in Iowa. Bring the focus back to local news. Heaven knows there's enough to cover here in Walton and our adjacent counties.

**scooterbug44** · 01-14-2009, 09:45 AM

Ditto - there is no need to put national news in, especially from the wire service, because usually I read the exact article days ago. Local news, events, etc. is where it's at!

I love the faces on the front page - helps me put names to familiar faces!

**TooFarTampa** · 01-14-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

Ditto - there is no need to put national news in, especially from the wire service, because usually I read the exact article days ago. Local news, events, etc. is where it's at!

I love the faces on the front page - helps me put names to familiar faces!

It is also more than likely the only way to survive. Good luck Walton Sun.

**Jdarg** · 01-14-2009, 11:36 AM

I imagine a regular perusing of the SoWal.com message boards would give the Sun plenty of local interest news stories. Stuff seems to be posted here before anywhere,a nd I know the Sun (and others) have used it to gather info.

**John R** · 01-14-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by jdarg

i imagine a regular perusing of the sowal.com message boards would give the sun plenty of local interest news stories. Stuff seems to be posted here before anywhere,a nd i know the sun (and others) have used it to gather info.

QFT. a little earlier here.

**Jdarg** · 01-14-2009, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by John R

QFT. a little earlier here.

huh?

**John R** · 01-14-2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by jdarg

huh?

quoted for truth. (the news and happenings are always) a little earlier here.

**Danny Burns** · 01-14-2009, 12:22 PM

It would be nice if you still delivered to Inlet Beach. I got tired of driving to find a paper on Saturday mornings long ago and haven't read a Sun in a while. We feel like the b@$tard step children out here on the east end.

**reddsings** · 01-14-2009, 03:27 PM

Glad to hear all is good. I do get results for the ads I run each week. It sure has got skinny recently though. I also agree about the far afield stuff. I want to pick up the (only) local paper for local stuff, ie south walton
If I want to know about Destin, there are choices, likewise PC

I think that one reason why sowal.com has become popular, its instant, daily and archived

But there is room for both

off to La Botana later

Nice advert on www.30atelevision.com

**AAbsolute** · 01-14-2009, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

Ditto - there is no need to put national news in, especially from the wire service, because usually I read the exact article days ago. Local news, events, etc. is where it's at!

I love the faces on the front page - helps me put names to familiar faces!

Will you step up on the front page faces and be recognized please????

**beachFool** · 01-14-2009, 08:48 PM

]Glad to hear all is good. I do get results for the ads I run each week. It sure has got skinny recently though. I also agree about the far afield stuff. I want to pick up the (only) local paper for local stuff, ie south walton
If I want to know about Destin, there are choices, likewise PC

I think that one reason why sowal.com has become popular, its instant, daily and archived

But there is room for both

Try taking the laptop to bathroom with you.

I run out of hands

**Bobby J** · 01-14-2009, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by beachFool

]Glad to hear all is good. I do get results for the ads I run each week. It sure has got skinny recently though. I also agree about the far afield stuff. I want to pick up the (only) local paper for local stuff, ie south walton
If I want to know about Destin, there are choices, likewise PC

I think that one reason why sowal.com has become popular, its instant, daily and archived

But there is room for both

Try taking the laptop to bathroom with you.

I run out of hands