My first exposure to the business world was as a paper boy for the Terre Haute Tribune when I was 10 years old. In those days, it was the only way for me to purchase things that a boy would need like the latest Topps baseball cards, a good soda and the best candy that could keep me at the proper hyperkinetic frenzy. My employment options were limited, and I enjoyed delivering the daily news to my friends and neighbors. I parlayed that time spent as a carrier into a career in the newspaper industry. I have seen many changes in my more than 25 years in the business, some for the better and some for the worse. Because of today’s environment, I am not sure a child’s first thought for extra spending money is delivering the local paper. It was an era that passed us a few years ago.

With this in mind, we must adjust our business model to stay competitive and affordable in today’s market. With the rising cost of delivery to our customers, the Washington Times-Herald has made the decision to switch to the U.S. Post Office for delivery of the newspaper to our customers.

What does this mean to subscribers of the Times-Herald? It means you will receive same day delivery of your newspaper, and you will receive it with your daily mail. We will still have the best local news, advertising specials and sports that you are getting today. The price of the newspaper will stay the same.

For years, newspapers have contracted delivery out to individuals who were looking to make some extra money. The rising gas prices and high newsprint costs have forced us to look to alternative ways for our readers to receive our product. Because of this and a number of factors, we have decided to put our trust for delivery of your newspaper in your Post Office.

I would like to thank all the carriers who have delivered the Times-Herald all these years. I would also like to thank the Washington Post Office, which has been very helpful in working with us on this project. I look forward to our future partnership.

I want to emphasize that you will receive your newspaper the same day it is published. It is important for us to give the same great service that your carriers have provided these past several years. The switch to postal delivery will officially take place on June 2, 2008, although as carrier routes open we will switch some customers in the northern part of Daviess County beginning May 1.

rsmith@washtimesherald.com