Question F

[Jonetta]

Tracy finds Sam Goldman, the former publisher of the Stoneridge newspaper who provides a wealth of information. Could Tracy have solved this case without his help? Given that so many towns have lost their local newspapers, how might this phenomenon impact communities going forward? Do we have alternatives?

[Robin]

Sam was invaluable to this case. He had a front row seat to everything that happened forty years ago. And he also had a great memory. (I'd never recall that much information.)

Newspapers are disappearing, but there is still an on-line publication. They still take pictures for the stories and keep the back issues (digital). I think they could bring up the same information now if they knew where to look and if the stories were archived properly.

[Charlene]

I sure liked Sam Goldman and his attitude; plus, his power of recollection was epic.

[Jonetta]

I’m not sure Tracy could have done this without Sam and/or his files. It was the news headline the morning after Kimi’s discovery that pointed her in the direction of those football players.

I subscribe to my local newspaper, digitally only, just because I believe we need to have one. It costs more than I like paying but I want to preserve those news people like Sam before they become something found only in our pasts, at least for non urban communities. Ours isn’t the best but at least I get good local news.

[Sharon]

I'm with Charlene. I liked Sam. He shared his information with Tracy to find the truth. He liked working on a news story.

I agree the Tracy wouldn't solve the crime without Sam's help. His memory and news articles kept her on the right track with clues.