The Milwaukee Post

May 18, 2018 • Milwaukee County Post • 17 According to the letter, the Wisconsin congressional delega- tion alone represents more than 230 daily and weekly newspapers. National Newspaper Association President Susan Rowell, publisher of the Lancaster (S.C.) News, said the decision could have a devastating effect on the newspaper industry. "This is an extremely unfortu- nate development and it just demonstrates how a too-mechani- cal application of trade policy can be turned on its ear to damage the U.S. economy," Rowell said in a statement. "Canadian producers supply most of the U.S. newsprint, and they will continue to do so in an industry where new newsprint mills are highly unlikely. The Commerce Department simply misunderstands the nature of the newsprint markets today if it believes that heavy duties are going to somehow stimulate new U.S. production. Large newspa- pers will move more rapidly to digital and smaller newspapers will simply be unable to afford the increases." In an article for The Seattle Times, Jon Talton wrote, "It's important to understand that while newspapers often have a robust online presence and are experimenting with new ways to pay for journalism, print advertis- ing and inserts are still the biggest source of revenue for most. "Whether the tariffs become permanent is up to the independ- ent U.S. International Trade Commission. But even if it over- turns them later this year, great damage will have been done to already ailing newspapers and other commercial publishers that depend on groundwood paper." His article explained that these sectors employ about 600,000 Americans. But Talton makes the argument that supporting the newspaper industry is more than just an economical decision. "The newsprint tariff has much higher stakes. No newspapers, no democracy," he wrote. Rowell implores people to con- tact their representatives to speak out against the tariffs. "Congress must get this train back on the right track," she said. "Already many in Congress have expressed their alarm, and noted the potential for major job losses as a result of these trade cases. We need our elected representatives to stand up for community jour- nalism right away, and explain the realities of the newsprint world to the trade analysts." You can contact your national representatives on this important issue. continued from Page 3 and small dogs on leashes. There were friends huddling under blankets, sipping cof- fee and eating fast-food breakfasts — even some snapping selfies with the Johnsonville Racing Sausages. "We say it was bragging rights just to be here first," said Christina Drews, who was one of the first two peo- ple in line. "But no, we want- ed to see the store and have breakfast." Drews arrived at the traf- fic light at IKEA Way at 4:30 a.m., half an hour before Oak Creek police opened the lot. She ended up in a friend- ly race against Aldo Brame, who sprinted ahead to save a spot in line while his sister parked. But Drews and Brame weren't the only early-risers. Farther down the line, Jessica Welborn of Stevens Point said she woke up at 1 a.m. to pick up her daughter and two young grandchil- dren for the opening. "As soon as I saw the (IKEA) flag, I started cry- ing," Welborn said. "I guess (the store is) unique. I like that it's not on every cor- ner." 'A day of celebration' According to an IKEA spokesperson, by 8:20 a.m. the store had given out almost 1,000 gift card draw- ing wristbands. The store's 300-plus employees, as well as some workers from other regional IKEA stores, were on hand to staff the event. But the crowds didn't seem to bother Dexter Verner, who woke up at 3 a.m. to claim his place in line. "Everybody here — the energy, the music — is great," he said. Shortly after 8 a.m., IKEA employees kicked off an opening ceremony that fea- tured a flag raising, a per- formance by the Oak Creek High School chamber choir and a traditional log-sawing ceremony (the Swedish equivalent of a ribbon-cut- ting). "Well, today definitely goes into the books as a day of celebration for Oak Creek and IKEA alike," Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz said. "This is a day that will long be remembered here on the South Shore." By the time doors official- ly opened at 9 a.m., a palpa- ble buzz of anticipation had filled the air. Beaming cus- tomers entered the store one by one, greeted by a cheering corral of yellow-shirt-clad IKEA employees. As people began explor- ing the 290,000-square-foot store, a bottleneck of cus- tomers quickly formed at the 300-seat café. First in line was Hamilton High School senior Jaime Mumper, who had set out with her mother and aunt at 3 a.m. "The Swedish meatballs are my favorite meal on Earth," said Mumper. She added that she has visited 10 different IKEA locations, including one in Taiwan. "Most of the furniture we had for a long time was from (this store)," explained mother Tanya Mumper. "We've been raised on IKEA." IKEA: 'A day that will long be remembered on the South Shore' Tariffs: 'Already ailing newspapers' face 'great damage' continued from Page 1 Robyn Di Giacinto/Special to the Post The first customer in line at the IKEA restaurant in Oak Creek walks away with a plate of Swedish fare, complete with meatballs, on Wednesday. To contact your legislator: Congressman Paul Ryan, R- Janesville, can be reached at 202-225-3031, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, is at 202-225-4572, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, R- Menomonee Falls, is reach- able at 202-225-5101. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, can be called at 202-224- 5323, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Milwaukee, is reachable at 202-224-5653. "The newsprint tariff has much higher stakes. No newspa- pers, no democracy." — John Talton in The Seattle Times

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