Sept. 11, 2008 – Rotarians and guests were present to hear Gary Grossman, Publisher of The Daily Item, speak on his newspaper experience and the role of the newspaper in our community.  Gary was born and raised in Aruba.  He received his undergraduate degree from Colgate and his Masters from Columbia University.  He has worked as a reporter for numerous papers throughout his career.  Prior to his arrival at The Daily Item, he served four different papers as the editor and two others as a publisher.  The Daily Item currently has a circulation of 25,000 and is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings, Birmingham, AL.  Gary discussed his experiences working for a paper in New Jersey at the time of the attacks on the World Trade Center.  He indicated that this experience validated his belief that the world is really quite small and we are all tied to each other.  Gary talked about The Daily Item’s role in covering the national presidential election.  He believes the paper needs to provide a forum for the community to speak out and persuade others.  He also believes that taking local issues, such as the Susquehanna Valley Thruway Project and the I-80 Toll Road issue, and asking our local and national representatives what they can do to affect these local issues helps the local community.  Gary believes that too often the “media” is lumped together when portrayed to the public.  This is not the truth.  Community newspapers are just that – they belong to the community.  He ended with at quote from songwriter John Stewart that captures his views.  “God speaks to us all in different ways and hopes we speak to each other.”