Speaking of newspaper litter…
On Thursday mornings, we used to find the “community” edition of the Tampa Tribune at the bottom of our driveway. We didn’t ask for it, it just showed up.
The small tab with what newspaper journalists call “chicken dinner news” was not really given to you out of concern for community, but a decent way to get advertising into the hands of the Tampa Tribune’s non-subscribers. The community news wasn’t very exciting, but at least gave us some insight about what some of your neighbors were up to.
Of course that facade of “community” ended (for us, anyway) some time back. I assume the cost to produce 
the 24 page tab was too much for stockholders, and it switched to something insiders call Tampa Tribune – TMC.
This replacement is an 8-page kraft wrap that no longer even attempts to disguise itself as anything other than an advertising vehicle. Instead of the “Carrollwood News,” or something, it is simply titled “Trib Clips,” that some coupon clippers love, but have nearly zero journalistic value. It simply allows the Trib an relatively inexpensive way to get ads in your hands. Well, not necessarily in your hands, but rather in your driveway
, strewn across your yard, and mashed into your street.
The circulation department delivers this thing every week, PERIOD. On vacation? It’s there. Moved out? The new owners get it. Foreclosed and abandoned for six months? You’ll find a pile of crap 26 issues high.
Hey Trib: If you are not going to stop delivering the newspaper, and you’re not going to stop using single-use bags, the LEAST you could do is take notice when your piles of garbage begin growing.
By the way: I took a trash bag with me, and after taking the photos linked above, made sure they all made it into our recycle bin.
LT
5 months ago
I asked a County police officer about this subject, is it not littering?
These free Trib newspapers are not only an eye sore but they do signal when no one is home. During the height of the forclosure mess, you could tell which houses were empty by the size of the pile of free newspapers. I often thought about throwing these litter papers up on the tribs lawn. Wonder how they would like that?
In my neighborhood the St Pete Times delivers their free newspapers to your mailbox. No mess, just more junkmail and much more responsible.
wayne
5 months ago
I agree that this trib clip is trash. Years ago i had the same problem with the brandon shopper trash in my yard. After filing a formal littering complaint with the sheriffs office i got a call from Ganett Broadcasting in New yoke . Told them i was pressing forward with a criminal complaint and the problem was solved. No more trash in my yard. Now the trib clip , same company is doing the same thing. Its time to call the cops and then go after the cops if they refuse to enforce the littering law. Hope i get the same results.
Wayne
5 months ago
I just called the sheriffs office and they said they would do nothing. the solicitors have the right to trash your yard and the only thing you can do is hire a legal whore (lawyer) and sue them but you will lose. The gestopo (county government) allows them to do this. Just plain bullshit.
Bob
4 weeks ago
I battled The Laker on and off for years as Pasco has an ordinance when one requests non delivery. It would stop then start months later. The excuse was a new delivery guy messed up. I finally got the circulation guy fired and finally we got it stopped. No one in my area wanted it. Mostly advertising. I was so pissed to see this new one start and plan to battle again. They hate it when I visit and get angry and loud. The gall to drop this trash without asking is so aggravating. The Trib is too cheap to mail it and I stopped the last one they sent as travel alot. Like one stated it is free advertising that no one at home or house vacant. We try and keep these places cleaned up and protect the area.
Bob
4 weeks ago
I add that all should first call the Trib and see if they will comply. Then visit the closest office and drop off a boat load of old ones. Your neighbors will help I am sure. If all fails contact your county commissioner and explain the security issue it causes. I only know what I have been told that in Pasco there is an ordinance. I also would not hesitate to get a copy and visit your local police. File a complaint. If an atty. file a complaint and help to stop this.
Bob
4 weeks ago
Does anyone have a direct phone number to the dept. that handles circulation? I have the Trib’s main number and will start there. We just started receiveing this yesterday Thursday.