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Over the years
Twenty-eight years ago this month, the
Rappahannock News was purchased by
Arthur W. Arundel. It was changed from a tabloid format to its current broadsheet format as it had originally been when first published in 1877.
In Nick Arundel’s printed statement to the community in that May 5, 1977 issue, he spoke of the paper’s vision:
“While assuming this week ownership of the Rappahannock News, founded just a century ago in 1877, my arrival will make no difference to the central purpose of this newspaper, which is its essential trust to provide the people of Rappahannock County with a clear printed mirror of our times.”
Arundel spoke of increasing growth and the opportunities it would present but he also spoke of conservation.
“This change must not and shall not happen at the price of destroying this county’s beauty, natural heritage and its farm industry.”
“For our part, this newspaper will fight for progress where progress means wise change and attractive controlled growth. It will resist change where “growth” is no more than a developer’s magic word for destruction of our land, water and air resources.”
Arundel stated the paper’s vision to be non-partisan but acutely aware of local, state and national politics.
“This paper will expose in justice or corruption; it will battle political demagogues; it will insure the right to each political faction to be heard, but will itself belong to no party.”
Since the Rappahannock News became part of the ARCOM chain of newspapers (now numbering 18). some things have changed and others have not.
Nick Arundel is still the publisher although his son. Peter Arundel, is the chief executive officer and handles all operational aspects of the company.
Arundel ended his statement with the following remarks:
“A newspaper consists of about the same number of words each week whether or not there is any big news in it. Words can be razors, or they can be idle, or they can be as the warmth of a summer's morning. They will in this newspaper reflect our times in Rappahanock County.”
The paper cost $.15 cents in 1977. ran with no color and was usually 8-10 pages long covering an array of community people and events.
Now in 2005. the paper costs $.50 cents, runs with color and. of late, has been averaging more than 20 pages each issue but Arundel’s vision to provide community news to the community it serves in a noble way hasn’t changed.
Hopefully, it will just get better.
Happy Anniversary Nick!
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