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T-shirts, masks for sale in online store Guest Column:
Towns most often shrivel up when the local newspaper closes
By Peter Wagner
Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly Vol. 15 | No. 41 | Thursday, October 8, 2020 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
Longtime newspaper carrier enjoys being independent Vic Mosley lives in the far northeast corner of Faulkner County, pretty far away from everything except a few neighbors who “watch out for each other, but that’s pretty much it.” That’s OK with Mosley, who would rather just keep to himself, too. That’s why he’s enjoyed delivering newspapers for the past two decades. “This job lets me be by myself,” Mosley said. “I enjoy getting out and doing things, and it gives me some independence.” Mosley is among hundreds of Arkansans who have or continue to be that key connection between newspapers and their readers. The newspaper industry celebrates their work on Saturday, Oct. 10, for International Newspaper Carrier Day. “It would be impossible to run an effective newspaper without newspaper carriers, many of whom get up in the middle of the night to make deliveries to customers, retail stores, racks and the post office,” said Ashley Wimberley, executive director of the Arkansas Press Association. “Without strong-willed, resilient and committed carriers like Mr. Mosley, our industry would suffer. We pause this week to thank him and those like him for their dedication.” Mosley was an independent contractor for the Arkansas DemocratGazette in northern Faulkner County before starting work as a carrier for the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway about 12 years ago. He had a home delivery route until the Log Cabin Democrat started delivering by mail. Now he hauls newspapers to retail locations and the post office once they come off the press mid-morning. He does it all with just one hand. Though he lost his right arm in a farming accident many years ago, he downplays it, and bristles at the suggestion he’s disabled at all. “A disability is what a person makes of it, and it never was a problem for me,” Mosley said. “I can still roll newspapers, bag them, or whatever. It’s just not a problem for me.” He quickly noted that he recognizes he’s unique, not just in overcoming physical adversity but also in remaining loyal to a job where he’s seen many, many others come and go. “I’m going to say this: It takes a certain type of person to do a route,” Mosley said, noting that he’s seen as many as 25 people Continued on Page 2
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