Staples says, well done Cole, welcome Paul
By Mark Staples
Government Affairs Counsel, Montana Tavern Association
It was in December of 1995 that I stopped in a little publishing office in Butte to meet with this guy who was launching a hospitality industry periodical.
He had a shaggy head of hair that over the next several months evolved into a full pony tail. And he had produced a rough-around-the-edges little tabloid that appeared to have some potential.
He talked a pretty good game so I invited him to participate in a "request for proposals" that the Montana Tavern Association had drawn up, soliciting a partner to produce an association members' newsletter.
We went through all the formalities of winnowing the applicants down to three finalists. The other two went first, and proposed producing an MTA newsletter for a monthly fee. Then this Butte guy made his proposal: he'd do a newsletter with no subsidy. He declared that he could make such a vehicle pay its own way with advertising income.
We gave him the chance, and he did it ... for the next 15 years!
Cole Boehler was that shaggy haired guy and the Montana Tavern Times grew out of his vision.
While the pony tail is more than seven years gone, he built a monthly trade journal for licensees that is unrivaled by any other in the country by any comparison: number of pages, consistency of quality and depth of feature writing and reporting, clean and functional design, plenty of illustrations, a good book of useful and well read advertisements, thorough circulation ...
It has, over the years, developed far beyond anything we initially imagined, and has performed more good work for the industry than we could have expected.
The Montana Tavern Times has become "the industry Bible." You can find almost anything you need to know about the business in it, and you can believe what you find there.
It has been a great tool for MTA member-to-member communications, but is also a peer-to-peer vehicle that reaches non-members as well. Month-in and month-out, it gets the licensed hospitality business perspective to the licensees, the public, the regulatory community, the Legislature and the media.
Sometimes it seems clear that a few of our members, and many non-members, would do themselves a big favor by reading the Tavern Times more closely. The information it contains is so broad based and valuable. In my estimation, paying close attention to the paper's contents will make you a better operator and a more profitable one.
It will certainly help you fine tune your view of the political world we all operate in.
It has always been clear that many folks in government read the paper page-by-page, word-for-word. I know, because I get regular feedback on Tavern Times content from all government spheres.
Cole announced at the June 8 MTA board meeting that he felt the publication would benefit from new blood, new energy, new ideas. It was a shock and almost felt like a blow. But then he succeeded in reassuring us his successor was the best possible choice to assume the Tavern Times helm.
The new publisher and owner is Paul Tash, also from Butte. His qualifications in the newspaper business are extensive. His knowledge of the licensed business is broad and he knows a lot of the players.
This business is a complex one, but I know Paul to be bright and a quick study. He will pick up on the subtle nuances quick enough, and knows the general framework better than any journalist I know ... except, of course, Cole.
When Paul spoke to the MTA board, he asked for everyone's help and everyone's input. It is obvious he wants to continue the fine tradition already established by Cole, but he also wants to take the paper to an even higher level.
We support Paul and his ambitions and goals, and wish him the best. I, personally, look forward to working with Paul over the long term.
So, hats off to Cole, do well in the future.
Welcome aboard, Paul. Let's get to work!