WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1,1989, PAGE 7 PAGE SEVEN HELPI This is a help wanted ad. I know it belongs in the classifieds but it seems that the only people who read help wanted ads are people who are looking for a job and they don't seem to be the people I'm looking for. You see, I do have an ad in the classifieds but I'm not getting much response for this position. Newspaper circulation is one of those very unglamorous jobs that is vital to a newspaper's success yet only comes into the public eye when there are papers blowing down the street, or when they're late or not delivered. Yes, rm looking for a circulation manager. It's a job that nobody seems to want. Yet if you want something you can really get your teeth into, this may be it. All we need is some one who is conscientious, accurate, well-organized, versatile, energetic, neat, a whiz with numbers, intelligent, self- starting, understanding, tactful, firm, shows leadership, communicates well, decisive, creative, healthy as a horse, likes working on their own, thinks fast on their feet, outgoing, likes people, ...have I missed anything? Oh yes, faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, the psychic powers of Nostradamus and the patience of Job. A penchant for detail is the very heart of this job. Keeping track of about 130 carriers and 400 streets and being able to pinpoint each route with a minimum of fuss requires that records are complete and always up to date. And, of course, you have to like (and understand) kids. You have to understand their vulnerabilities yet need to be firm. ("Papers are to be delivered to the door and placed in a secure place where they will not blow around - no if"s, and's, or but's.") On the other hand you need tact. You have to understand the predicament of the 8-year old who can't reach a particular mailbox and there's no screen door ... and no mat ...and it's a windy day. You have to be aware that 98% will do their job conscientiously every week and the other 2% will create most of your work; that there are a few out there (very few fortunately) who can lie through their teeth and charm the angels while doing it. The skin of a rhinoceros will help to fend off the barbs from occasional irate readers who never, ever want to see our paper again but are as likely to call three weeks later to complain that they aren't getting the paper any more. A sense of humor may help when you find out that the fellow who complained that he hasn't had the paper for weeks was getting it all along - his wife was throwing.it out before he saw it. A touch of clairvoyance is helpful - youll have to be able to tell who's screwing up even before they do it. And if you can convince the carriers of your psychic powers in advance, they might be a lot less inclined to goof off. And when Mr. Irate Reader calls up to complain about something but won't give his name or address, then your crystal bail will be the only chance you have. Oh, by the way, people with gimpy backs need not apply. Any circulation job, of necessity, involves lugging about a fair number of papers. And of course you have to be able to drive - and be ready to dash off to the latest trouble spot at any time. Responsibilities? Simply to ensure that the maximum number of papers are delivered to the maximum number of readers with the least possible waste. That means keeping close watch on Whitby's growth, finding new carriers, monitoring and motivating the existing ones and finding new ways to get more papers into the hands of readers. Hours? 24 hrs a day, seven days a week. Live it, eat it, sleep it. In simpler terms - full-time. For the most part the hours are flexible with the exception that certain things have to be done at or by certain times. We believe in finding the right person for a job, training them and then trusting them to get it done. The proof is in the performance. The rewards? Well, you won't get rich - nobody in the newspaper business gets rich except the Thompsons, Maxwells, Murdochs, and other assorted newspaper barons. But there is the satisfaction of playing a key role in getting the news to the people, and once in a while, someone on the advertising or editorial stà ff will pat you on the back and say you've done a good job. And it's an important job - important enough that my wife Susann and I are doing it now and will continue to until we find the right person. Newspapers have four basic depart- ments: the advertising staff who generate the revenue, the news staff who create the readership, the production staff who give it the attractive eye-catching package and the circulation staff who get it to thc readers. Without good circulation the rest is wasted effort. It's a job that's worth a thousand .vords, these words - a lot more than you can put in a help wanted ad. And, we guarantee it, you won't be bored. m r=7 BROOKLIN CREAMERY, C. 1915 The Brooklin Creamery was built on the north side of Winchester Road about 1909 by Ernest Patterson, who is standing on the back of the milk-wagon. It was destroyed by fire when struck by lightning on August 10, 1929. Whitby Archives photo 10 YEARS AGO from the Wednesday, Februa 28, 1979 edition of the WHI Y FRE PRESS • The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority has vetoed a Whitby proposal for a drainage study of Lynde Creek. • The Town Council is protesting the loss of bus service to the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital. • The Whitby Theatre Company has received a $6,000 Wintario grant to purchase new sound and lighting equipment. 25 YEARS AGO from the Thursday, February 27, 1964 edition of the WHITBY WEEKLY NEWS • The Chamber of Commerce will fund the Whitby Ambulance Service until a dispute between the owner and the Town of Whitby over municipal grants is resolved. • Seventy-seven dogs has been destroyed at the pound since October 1963, but residents are still complaining about dogs running at large. • The A and P store in Whitby is selling oranges at 59 cents a five-pound bag and instant coffee for $1.29 for a 10-ounce jar. • A Whitby boy was sentenced to three years in Kingston Penitentiary for stealing a radio and cigarettes from the Legion Hall. 75 YEARS AGO from the Thursday, February 26, 1914 edition of the WHITBY GAZETTE AND CHRONICLE • Three sectionmen were killed by a Grand Truck train on Feb. 19 one and a half miles east of Whitby Junction station. • The County of Ontario Old Girls' Associations presented "Alice in Wonderland" to a capacity crowd at the town hall last week, with the proceeds being given to the town's new library. • John Hamlin Gale, principal of the Dufferin Street School in Port Whitby for 30 years, died on Feb. 24 at the age of 73. • James H. Downey has added an electrically operated hoist to his grain and seed business at the corner of Brock and Colborne Streets.