This month marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of our first issue in October 1995. In its honour, the City of Ottawa has proclaimed Centretown BUZZ Day on October 19.
Originally started as a publication by the Centretown Citizens Community Association (CCCA), The BUZZ was strictly a volunteer effort until 1999 when a business model was adopted that would enable us to pay for a managing editor. At the same time, the paper became a jointly owned publication of the two community associations in Somerset Ward: CCCA (now renamed the Centretown Community Association) and the Dalhousie Community Association.
Aside from the managing editor, everyone else who works on the paper is a volunteer whether that person be a writer, a proof-reader, a copy editor, or a deliverer.
The last group, numbering over 40 people, ensure that the paper is delivered to nearly 10,000 businesses and residences in Centretown each month (except for July). Over the last 25 years, hundreds of Centretowners have given their valuable time (not to mention literally thousands of dollars of gas purchases and vehicle wear and tear) to produce and distribute the paper so that we fulfill the key mandate of the paper “Centretowners talking to Centretowners”.
This means that our editors encourage residents and friends of Centretown to submit their written thoughts and observations to make readers of the paper aware of what is going on here in central Ottawa. BUZZ articles may not always adhere to strict rules of journalistic standards, but we hope they give readers of the paper a sense of the concerns of Centretowners.
The two community association owners use the publication to make readers aware of current land use planning proposals for the ward, along with their other activities and to advocate for issues that they wish to gather support for from Centretown residents.
Over the last 25 years, the paper has been financially self-sufficient thanks to our advertisers. This advertising support would not be there if it were not for you the readers. Thank you for your support and do not hesitate to let us know how we can improve our publication.
If you like what we do, come help us out! We could also use more writers and deliverers. As we begin our next 25, we hope that the paper will continue to grow as a community newspaper due to the contributions from more Centretowners, so that we all learn about and learn to appreciate this wonderful downtown community.
Archie Campbell,
Chair,
Centretown BUZZ Board of Directors