PRESS: Carriers are very best

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you carriers know how much I appreciated the job you have all done over the years. I also wanted to remind subscribers that the paper just doesn’t automatically appear every morning — that it is because of your dedication, odd hours and obstacles that you face 365 days a year that make it happen.

Over my 24-year career I have done hundreds of paper routes, though none lately. My wife did routes for 10 years so I know firsthand what it entails. I have gone through three transmissions, tires, brakes and have waited many hours in parking lots for late newspapers to arrive, all at my own expense.

I have always been concerned about bad weather, too. I have been stuck in snow banks, slid off roads, fallen numerous times on ice, almost struck by lightning, had the flu or a bad cold many times, a hand that was nearly frostbitten, tripped on curbs and steps and soaked like a duck from the rain. I have been chased by dogs, run out of gas, locked my keys in the car, scared by cats and raccoons and startled by questionable characters. ALL PART OF THE LIFE OF BEING A CARRIER and you do a marvelous job!

So for all the Alans, Dannys, Ricks, Candys, Robs, Ruperts, Gwens, Shellys, Sheryls, Johns, Cathy’s, Beckys, Nicoles, Davids, Carls, Jacks, Georges, Raymonds, Tanyas, Sandys, Roberts, Michaels, Jimmys, Marks, Karens, Kevins, Mistys, Ryans, Shannas, Eriks, Raymonds, Roberts, Earls, Jefferys, Danas, Garys, Candices, Patricias and of course Steves and Lindas, YOU ARE THE BEST. Please be safe.

And here’s to a holiday season that fills your stockings to the brim with subscriber TIPS!

DAN PHILLIPS

Former Circulation Director

Coeur d’Alene