Living Jackson Magazine

They've Got You Covered
by Priscilla Daves

In all the years she was editor of The Jackson Herald, Helen Buffington never worried about finding a front page story.

“Filling the front page is just never a problem in Jackson County because you can always count on something happening in Jackson County,” Helen said.

That’s as true today as it was in the rough and ready days that greeted the Buffingtons—Herman and Helen, the two sons, Mike and Scott, and Helen’s mother, Minnie Lee Toles—when they first moved to Jefferson 41 years ago.

The paper in those days still had a vat of hot, liquid lead used to make the type to transfer ink to pages. Today the paper has the latest in computers and printing technology—and the Buffingtons’ company, MainStreet Newspapers, Inc., is known for being in the forefront of press technology.

Mrs. Toles died a few years ago, but Tommy Toles, Helen’s brother, was brought into the fold about five years ago to work with printing sales and bookkeeping.

Herman encourages projects around town these days, having celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday, May 7, surrounded by family, particularly his four grandchildren upon whom he dotes. On May 5, the paper “family” or employees celebrated at Mike’s Grill in Jefferson. Helen takes care of various odds and ends at the paper as well as enjoying grandchildren, so the real day-to-day work has shifted to Mike and Scott.

Mike is co-publisher and editor and Scott is co-publisher and advertising manager in charge of business and sales. Both literally grew up working beside their parents in the newspaper business. They hand-inserted or folded circulars and other printing and basically did whatever was needed. A common sight in Jefferson for years was to see a large camera around the neck of a small boy covering everything from football to knife fights—and everyone knew it was one of the Buffington boys.

When the Buffingtons bought the paper in 1965, they received advice not to ruffle the feathers of large businesses, prominent citizens and the “Dixie Mafia.” They completely ignored the good advice and kept publishing.

Jackson County in the 1960s was a little like the old West Frontier. Crime was rampant, well organized by shrewd people with few scruples whom most citizens knew to leave alone. The Buffingtons plowed ahead and kept hammering at the citizens of the county until they, too, joined in working for a better community.

Their stands on everything about the community were courageous, and “the boys” have kept to that same principle.

Mike’s stinging editorials are legend, but he often has lunch at Jefferson Rotary sitting with the people he has scourged the week before. He also has the ability to look at himself and reveal the most personal pain as when he outlined for his readers a few years ago his son’s fight with epilepsy and his own guilt for believing he had been the genetic bearer that had put such a burden on his son’s life. He has made sacrifices in the past two years to be president of the National Newspaper Association, and he has served as president of the Georgia Press Association and president of the Jefferson Rotary Club.

Scott, who is more laid back, remains largely the behind-the-scenes person—making sure the presses are on time and that Mike’s ego is punctured.

Scott said that he always wanted to be in sales. “I don’t know why, but I really like that part of the business and I always have,” he said.

“Mike always wanted to be editor,” Helen said. As for ruffling feathers, Mike said that most people don’t get upset. “They know I am doing my job,” he said. He also said that while some might not like what he has written, they know discussion is good for the community.

The community has also gotten used to the fact that the Buffingtons are willing to take strong stands.

The Jackson Herald remains a family-owned newspaper in a world where that seems impossible due to the pressures of publishing in small towns. Knowing that growth was coming to the area, the Buffingtons looked at the future and expanded so that now they own a mini-publishing empire called MainStreet Newspapers, Inc., made up of The Jackson Herald, The Commerce News (once a bitter rival that has kept its editorial independence), The Banks County News and The Madison County Journal. The company includes a commercial printing operation that turns out newspapers other than those owned by the company and printing such as business forms and letterheads.

Just a little over a year ago, The Jackson Herald began publishing a special section of each issue dedicated to news in the West Jackson area of Braselton, Hoschton, Flowery Branch and Château Élan.

Will this become its own newspaper one day?

“That’s the question,” Mike said.

“In about 2057,” Scott added, and smiled.

All the publications in the MainStreet Newspapers family frequently win numerous awards, including ones for editorial stands, from the Georgia Press Association and other press groups. The Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce honored the family, in particular the efforts of Herman, who is a visionary in newspapers. They also have an outstanding web site at www.MainStreetNews.com, which is considered one of the best in the state by those who frequently use small newspaper web sites.

Will the next generation become involved in the newspapers? The oldest, Brittany, a senior in college, plans to be an elementary school teacher. As for the others, “We don’t know yet,” Helen said.

In the meantime, there is always another deadline coming due in an area where you can always count on the people to come up with new stories.