Publisher's Column: The Importance of Donations - Chelsea Update: Chelsea, Michigan, News

Full-time staff member Aidan is giving me the look, wondering when he will go and play.

Although readership is way up, donations are way down, so I hope that readers who meant to send a donation and haven’t, consider making that non-tax deductible donation today to assist in keeping Chelsea Update, your daily news site, in operation.

For new readers, Chelsea Update is primarily a one-person operation that counts on not only advertising revenue but also non tax-deductible donations from readers. I work tirelessly for all of you, pretty much seven days a week, and every word on this site has either been read, edited or written by me.

I have a very small staff of wonderful and dedicated reporters and photographers Lisa Carolin, Crystal Hayduk, Burrill Strong, Alan Ashley and Randall Lee who are paid for their work. Your donations not only help me compensate them but also keep a roof over the head and food in the bowls of the two full-time staff members — Buzz and Aidan.

Several people have asked why I don’t turn Chelsea Update into a non-profit with a board of directors so I could apply for grant funding. Here’s my answer. With more than 40 years in this business and at 65 years old, Chelsea Update is my last hurrah as a journalist. I want to eventually retire knowing I did something special for this community and that all decisions involving Chelsea Update were mine and mine alone.

Unlike Aidan, Buzz prefers his cushy dog bed.

I think I have a pretty good finger on the pulse of this community, and I’ve earned the trust of thousands of you during the years I’ve covered Chelsea first for the Ann Arbor News and for the last almost 11 years publishing Chelsea Update.

I’ve purposefully chosen not to take a political stance on Chelsea Update and I don’t endorse candidates or ballot proposals during elections.

I’m old school and I publish straight news stories and encourage you to make your own decisions based on facts, not opinions.

And as Chelsea Update heads toward its 11^th year in operation this July, it’s my hope that this community continues to support my efforts to bring you all the news that’s fit to publish about the Chelsea community.

Long-time readers also know I hate this “begging” aspect of Chelsea Update. I’d much rather be reporting stories or taking photos than spending time asking readers to contribute to my efforts.

But if you are able, and you enjoy reading Chelsea Update each day, please make a donation through Paypal on the donate tab on the home page of the website or send a check in any amount made out to Chelsea Update and mail it to 18829 Bush Road, Chelsea, MI 48118.

And, as always, if you’d like to discuss these thoughts or any others, please call me at 734-433-1052 or email me at lallmendinger@sbcglobal.net.

I’d like to thank the following people below who recently made donations.