Community group officially forms to buy Weekly News

The community group working to secure the future of the La Conner Weekly News now has an interim board of directors and a name that reflects its mission: La Conner Community News.

Board President Andrew Ashmore said the group has completed its articles of incorporation with the state and can now do business. It has an Employee Identification Number for the IRS. Tillinghast Postal & Business Center is providing a free mailbox. A Gmail account will soon be active.

Joining Ashmore on the interim board are Jerry Willins, vice president; John Leaver, treasurer; Julie Jones, secretary; and members at large Troy Olason, Lynn Beebe and Tony Harrah.

Ashmore said five of the seven board members and five or six other interested community members met Oct. 18 at the La Conner Swinomish Library to discuss fundraising strategies. He said he’ll file with the IRS this week to create a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that can accept financial gifts, open a bank account for donations and find a “fiscal sponsor” like the Skagit Community Foundation that can hold the money for La Conner Community News until the IRS approves its 501(c)3 application.

Ashmore said the board will meet Oct. 24 with Weekly News Publisher Ken Stern to learn more about how the newspaper functions and review its finances. Willins will use his business experience to guide the creation of a business plan for La Conner Community News.

Among the board’s concerns is the continuity of the Weekly News and honoring Stern’s Dec. 18 target for a transition to new owners. Ashmore said he expects the board will meet many more times as it considers the newspaper’s finances, operation and staff in a post-Stern era.

With a deadline eight weeks away, Ashmore says “I’m optimistic” that the interim board and Stern will have an agreement in time.