Save something special -- such as the Rocky and Denver

December 15, 2:26 PMDenver People ExaminerErnie Tucker

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John Temple talks to staffers. Photo by Matt McClain © The Rocky

Barack Obama proved what can be done online. Closer to home, though, something can be done about keeping a most interesting collection of sages, kooks and Denver personalities around. I’m referring to the campaign to keep the Rocky Mountain News afloat under the looming threat by its Cincinnati-based owners Scripps to shut the tab.

"It's our hope that people will post comments on the site about what the paper means to their lives and their communities," said Rocky reporter John C. Ensslin, spokesman for the group.

His call to action comes after the gloom and doom blew into town.

"We're not here today to close the paper," Rich Boehne, president and chief executive of the owners, announced on Dec. 4 to the somber newsroom. "We're here today to say the status quo is not going to work." That status quo includes an estimated $15 million in losses this year during this economic free fall.

Full disclosure: I worked at the Rocky (as well as the Post). I know many of the golden oldies there – such as Dave Krieger, Ed Stein, Rob Reutemann and Joe Rassenfoss. I read the work of others, too. While I remember my former colleagues most for their exploits on the softball diamond at Sonny Lawson Field – I also know their value to the fabric of this city. And while I don’t know publisher John Temple well, I admire his zest. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not blind to the trends that have rapidly eroded the foundations of the traditional newspaper model. I don’t know any quick, painless fix, though I wish some well-heeled oilman, trust funder or reclusive billionaire would step forward to buy the Rocky. And I also don’t wish for them to be victorious over the Post. We need ‘em both, as vigorous as possible.

So whether a Rocky reader or hater, newspaper lover or online junkie – heck, even if you’re someone who gets your news from Stephen Colbert or Hannah Montana – this is a worthy cause. Step up. Sound off. You think the Big 3 are important to daily life? Try living in a one-newspaper town.