The Road to Denver, a Letter from the Publisher
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 14, 2013)
Dear Readers,
Since I was a kid I’ve been passionate about freedom and fairness in journalism. In 6th grade I started Clark Elementary’s first school paper. In high school I was part of creating Hazel Park’s first literary magazine Calliope. And after graduating from Grand Valley State University, I began working on an online news site for Muskegon, the idea of which I brought back home to launch in Ferndale in June 2009.
Now it is time to take this knowledge and experience and bring it to a broader audience. It’s time to go out and find 
other independent journalists and publishers so that I can share what I’ve learned, and learn what I can from them. I also want the world to know what a great community Ferndale is, and how other communities can have sites like The Ferndale 115 News.
In April 2013 there is a National Conference for Media Reform in Denver, where advocates for ethical journalism will gather to learn about issues affecting our profession. I am hoping to raise enough money to go to this conference, and bring whatever I learn back to Michigan, and to Ferndale.
But to make that happen, I need your help. Starting today, any money that comes in through Advertising Sponsorships and Thank You Ad sales will be set aside for this trip. I need to raise at least $1,500.
If 100 people chipped in $15, it would be possible. Business/nonprofit Advertising Sponsorships are another great way to support my work and help make going to this conference possible. It’s only $115 for two 
months, $300 for six months, or $500 for an entire year – which comes with regular advertising on this website. This purchase can typically be counted as a business expense. Individuals, businesses and nonprofit groups are welcome to sign up for one of these packages and benefit from getting their names out there on a regular basis to our thousands of monthly readers.
To buy a $15 Thank You ad, go to https://oaklandcounty115.com/reader-support/.
For Advertising Sponsorship Packages, go to https://oaklandcounty115.com/become-a-sponsor/.
Or enter any amount you wish to give here on Pay Pal.
This will be my first major conference, so it is very exciting. I will write about things I learn there, to share this info with the rest of you who make this possible. I have always had the mindset that I would not ask for money from readers unless I really needed it. And this conference is one of those things that I believe 
is well-worth our collective readership investing in.
Please contact me if you have any questions at editor@ferndale115.com.
Free Press is an organization that is “building a powerful nationwide movement to change media and technology policies, promote the public interest and strengthen democracy. Free Press advocates for universal and affordable Internet access, diverse media ownership, vibrant public media and quality journalism. You can check out the Conference website at http://conference.freepress.net/ncmr-home.
Let’s all get together to make sure The Ferndale 115 News is part of this important movement!
Sincerely,
Crystal A. Proxmire
Editor & Publisher, The Ferndale One~Fifteen News
