It's been a great first year at the Times
By Paul Tash, Editor and Publisher
Montana Tavern Times
With this issue, Tash Communications is beginning its second year as publisher of the Montana Tavern Times.
Though I've been around the newspaper business in different capacities for over 25 years, I've learned plenty in the last 12 months.
Balancing the news hole and advertising hole has been interesting at times, with little happening one month and lots happening in other months. But all in all the first year couldn't have gone much smoother.
I attribute that smooth transition to the fact the Tavern Times was in such good shape when I took over for Cole Boehler last July, and the fact that I had been involved with the industry for 15 years in other capacities and so understood at least in a general sense the industry's issues and many of its representatives.
A heart-felt thanks goes to the many who have supported me and the Times in my inaugural year, including all the loyal advertisers, and many others in the industry and government sectors who I rely on to provide their expertise for articles.
The Montana Tavern Association office and Chris Caldwell have been great to work with, as has MTA Government Affairs Counsel Mark Staples, who was especially beneficial in providing clear explanations on some complex issues in the recent legislative session.
Our first legislative session was hectic, and even frustrating, at times as we made great efforts to provide our readers the latest and most accurate information on industry-related issues. Those issues included the new law mandating server-training and one allowing for new line games. We had some late story revisions, and so deadlines suffered at times, but the final product I hope was worth it.
We are continually working to improve the Tavern Times. You've already seen some design changes, such as changes to front page teasers and graphics, to improve the look and readability of the paper.
On the editorial side, look for articles in upcoming editions that aim to help the tavern owners operate their businesses. For example, coming up later this year is a series outlining ways to help avoid three common dangers to businesses: embezzlement, robbery, and fire. Because these problems can be devastating to any tavern owner, the Times' series will offer ways to minimize their risk.
Contact me if you think you have input for this series, either through personal experience or specific knowledge in any of these areas.
If you have an story idea on other topics, please contact me. The Tavern Times is a reader-driven trade journal, and we'll do what we can to make it happen.
The Times has also added a monthly feature by Angela Nunn, administrative officer for the Gambling Control Division. She is writing a series of articles from the perspective of someone new to the gambling business in Montana. The articles will help educate those new to the business all that is required to obtain and operate a gambling license and operate the state's legal games of chance. Not only will this series be invaluable to new operators, it will serve as a reminder to those who've been in and around the business for some time. See her article on Calcutta pools in this month's issue.
Starting next month, the Tavern Times will publish a series of articles on the new server-training requirements. This information will be extremely beneficial to tavern owners who will want to know the most effective ways to get their alcohol servers and sellers legally trained.
We are still looking to grow a letters-to-the-editor section of the Times. This is an area that depends on the feedback of our many readers, however.
Write the Times a letter to comment on the topic of the day, to give your opinion on what matters to you, or even to thank someone for doing a good job. Letters must include the writer's name and address.
The word limit is 300. You can email me your letter at pault@tashcommunications.com.
We've also worked in the first year to increase the base of advertisers, to stabilize ad revenues and offer our readers a larger variety of advertised products and services. We hope our readers notice and take advantage of those advertised products and services.
In general, the Tavern Times will continue its mission of providing news and information you won't find anywhere else. We will continue to write about the good works you do, and about the good people who run the businesses. Check out the great feature on the Beacon Icehouse in this month's issue.
We will continue to cover extensively the Montana Tavern Association, the Gaming Industry Association and the Gaming Advisory Council. Don't miss next month's issue that will contain all the information you need to enjoy the upcoming MTA convention in Red Lodge Sept. 12-15.
It's an exciting time to be in the industry. The economy is showing signs of recovery in most places. Hopefully, game-machine play is on the rebound as tax revenues from video gambling machines actually improved last quarter compared to the same period a year ago – the first time that's happened in two full years (see article on Page 1). And the first new games since the inception of video gaming in Montana over 30 years ago will show up in a cabinet near you starting Jan. 1.
Thank you for a super first year. I'm looking forward to many more.