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Company History
The Gazette family of newspapers began in July 2000 as three independent, privately owned publications. By popular request, in 2004, the Lakeside/Santee, Alpine and El Cajon Gazettes were combined into one, the East County Gazette.
Employees/Owner
The Gazette employees are all East County residents. The owners, Debbie and David Norman, are life-time residents of East County. Born and raised in East County affords the Normans an edge to better understand the pulse of the community and meet its needs.
Mission/Vision
The Gazette enjoys bringing East County residents positive community news about the people who live and work in East County. Many of the great aspects of the communities are neglected by other publications, not only about the people who live in the community, but the businesses that hold the community together. These businesses supply jobs, services and products that keep East County strong. There are also terrific community events for residents to enjoy, and many of them go unnoticed by other newspapers. The Gazette strives to make their readers aware of these events so they don’t have to leave their own backyard for entertainment and fun.
Values
The Gazette advertising values are second to none in the area. The prices are designed so that everyone, no matter how small or how large a business is, has a place in the paper. The Gazette is the only local publication that has a “Shopping & Dining” Guide listed with the advertisers in the newspaper each week. In addition, the “Shopping & Dining” Guide is located on the web site for additional coverage for our advertisers — at no extra charge. The Gazette return pickups when delivering new papers are less than 3% - something unheard of in this industry.
Qualifications
Gazette Publisher/Editor Debbie Norman has been working in the newspaper business for more than 30 years and has won local, state and national awards. Entertainment Editor Diana Saenger, has produced extensive entertainment coverage that has garnered her 10 years of media awards, a book deal and national media exposure. Her quotes have appeared on TV, in the LA Times, New York Times, Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter as well as on numerous web sites. She has been a guest on radio and TV and speaks at national conferences. Gazette photographer Kathy Foster, has also won photojournalist awards for the State of California.
Success Stories
Looking through years of the Gazette reveals many advertisers that were there five and six years ago. They are still in the Gazette, they tell us, because of the great service, prices and the results the Gazette brings to their businesses. Many organizations – East County Optimists of the Performing Arts, Wings Over Gillespie, Lakeside Chamber Western Days, El Cajon’s Annual Fire Safety Fair, the Oktoberfest Association and many animal rescue organizations – have asked the Gazette to help promote their causes and in many cases, to prepare a special section for their event. It's an honor to be team members with these great associations, aid in their promotions and share in their successes.
Specialties
The Gazette takes great pride in spotlighting advertisers with “Business Spotlights,” in-depth stories and continuous coverage of any events they may be sponsoring. We care about the businesses that support us.
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