Veteran driver's future uncertain as the Napa Register ends home delivery
By Tim Carl
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — The Napa Register's decision to discontinue its daily delivery service has had a devastating impact on many people, including John Tam, a dedicated newspaper delivery driver who has faithfully served the Napa Valley community for three decades. With the delivery service coming to an end on July 16, Tam, a U.S. Army veteran, now faces the daunting prospect of once again becoming homeless.
"I received a 30-day notice by the Register, and I'm uncertain about what I'm going to do," Tam said. "I just bought my first house last year, and I already have health challenges from a car accident. I also recently started therapy; things were really looking like they just might be sustainable, but now this."
Throughout his long career, Tam has traversed the diverse neighborhoods of Napa County, ensuring that Napa Register customers received their newspapers without fail. From Lake Berryessa to Calistoga, from Rutherford to Atlas Peak, Tam became intimately familiar with the region and formed deep connections with the people he served.
“John is truly one of a kind,” said Joe Brasil, a former circulation manager at the Register. “I first met him in 1998, and I always admired his dedication to his customers and to us at the Register. He was always reliable and ready to assist in any way he could. He also has a fascinating story, having served in Desert Storm and experienced homelessness at one point."
In 2022, Brasil, now working as a real estate agent in Napa Valley, helped Tam purchase his first home using a VA loan. However, with the recent turn of events, Tam's home, health and stability are all at risk.
Tam's life has been far from easy. He grew up in Angwin, and his family had fallen apart by the time he was 14. He ended up in foster care after stealing a skateboard. Eventually he found his way into the Army at the age of 17 and was deployed to the Persian Gulf to provide security services during Desert Storm.
Speaking guardedly about his wartime experiences, Tam revealed that he was diagnosed with PTSD by a Veterans Affairs physician just last November, and since then he has been attending weekly group therapy sessions with fellow veterans to seek help.
"The therapy has been incredibly helpful, but now I'm uncertain if I'll be able to continue," Tam said. "This job has been my lifeline, and it's all I've ever known apart from my military service."
"Even though we've never met, I've been following John's nightly adventures on his Facebook posts,” wrote Kaethy Kennedy, who connected with Tam on Facebook several years ago. “Sometimes he shares encounters with wildlife, other times he recounts stories of helping elderly, homeless or needy individuals, even though he lives on a tight budget. What's truly remarkable is how he's always there for others, no matter how difficult things get for him. The whole community is deeply concerned about his well-being. Everyone hopes he'll find another position. Given his background, he would excel in areas such as veteran outreach, homeless outreach or wildlife rehabilitation."
Tam's posts on social media offer a glimpse into a life dedicated to service and exemplify an individual who remains resilient, consistently kind and ever hopeful despite personal hardships.
"When I'm out there driving over 110 miles a night, I witness a lot," Tam remarked. "Injured animals, drunk drivers and elderly individuals living in remote areas with limited contact. I've driven through fires, snowstorms and even hiked papers into homes when mudslides blocked the roads. People wouldn't believe what it's like to deliver papers during a storm — everything gets soaking wet, and it becomes bitterly cold. But I enjoy being of service, delivering those papers every morning."
Tam's career as a newspaper delivery driver began in the early-1990s, during a time when the newspaper industry was vastly different from what it is today. During those days the Napa Register was owned by a different company.
"At that time, the Register delivered in the afternoon from Monday to Friday, with weekend papers delivered in the morning," Brasil said. "I would see Tam when he arrived around 11 a.m., picking up the papers and wrapping them in the parking lot. The circulation department stayed open until 8 p.m., and customers could call and speak to an actual person if there was a missed delivery. It was a different era, a time of real community connection."
Established in 1863, the Napa Valley Register initially operated as a family-owned business. Over the years it acquired or launched other local papers such as the St. Helena Star, The Weekly Calistogan and the American Canyon Eagle. Eventually the Register and its associated papers were sold to Scripps League Newspapers Inc., which owned nearly a dozen other newspapers nationwide. In 1996 Scripps was acquired by the Pulitzer Publishing Co., which, in turn, was purchased by Lee Enterprises Inc., based in Davenport, Iowa, in 2005. This is a publicly traded American media company that publishes 77 daily newspapers in 26 states and has more than 350 weekly, classified and specialty publications.
For nearly 50 years until early 2022, Napa’s Gelow or Borreson families had delivered the papers, contracting or employing more than 20 local people like Tam to deliver the newspapers throughout the region. Citing rising costs of business and the impacts of COVID-19, Borreson abruptly closed its doors on Feb. 14, 2022.
To make ends meet over the years, Borreson had augmented their deliveries to include other papers such as The Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle and The New York Times. To fill the void, Tam said the Register stepped in and subcontracted with deliverers such as himself. That means when his contract is terminated with the Register he loses access to delivering all of those other papers, too.
In the last year alone, Register management has been on a cost-cutting spree that has included firing nearly half of their remaining staff (already decimated from earlier cuts), eliminating most of wine, culinary and profile coverage. They shuttered the Calistogan (the American Canyon Eagle was closed a few years prior), announced the reduction of print to three days a week and switched home delivery to the U.S. Postal Service. Today the once-vibrant newspaper is but a shadow of its former self, leading to multiple other publishers attempting to fill the void. These include Napa Valley Features, Highway 29 Publishing, Wine Down Media and even the Press Democrat.
At the same time, according to their annual report, in 2022 Kevin Mowbray, the president and CEO of Lee, received a $200,000 increase, bringing his total annual compensation to $2.3 million. The other executives also gained increases and were awarded bonuses. It is unclear what the salary compensation is for the Register’s newly hired editor, Dan Evans, or if he received a bonus in 2022. Inquiries as to compensation and potential bonuses for Evans had gone unanswered at the time of publication.
The Register has offered Tam and his fellow delivery professionals a $200 bonus if they stay through the end of their contract, according to Tam.
Tam and Brasil report that by the early 2000s the culture had shifted from one based on the needs of the local community and team members to that of a corporate culture that became increasingly disconnected from the needs and values of its customers and carriers.
"It used to feel like a family," Tam said. "But then they started piling on the work, adding other newspapers to my route. When Borreson ended, the Register even made us pay for the plastic bags and rubber bands we put the papers in. For years now it I’ve had to work much harder every year just to earn the same amount of money.”
According to recent press releases from Lee Enterprises, instead of referring to themselves as a print publisher as they have in the past, they now refer to themselves as a “digital-first subscription platform,” highlighting their shift away from print and signaling even more likely cuts in the future.
Despite the ever-increasing challenges, Tam found solace and purpose in his work. Battling personal demons, including trouble with alcohol, he discovered therapeutic value in his dedication to delivering newspapers. The nightly routine provided structure and served as a distraction from haunting memories. Whether braving inclement weather, navigating treacherous conditions or rescuing animals in need, Tam's commitment to the Register and his customers never wavered.
“John is one of the most dependable individuals I know,” Brasil said. “He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need, so it makes it even more heartbreaking. Tragic, really. Actually, it's a horrible state of affairs."
The imminent loss of his job evokes a range of emotions for Tam. The therapy sessions he began attending at Veterans Affairs last November offered a glimmer of hope for healing, even though the process of opening up remains challenging. Participating in group therapy sessions has provided him with support from fellow veterans who understand his struggles.
Throughout his career Tam's brother, Stephen (who also delivers papers for the Register), has been a consistent source of support, assisting him in managing the physical demands of the job. Together they formed an unyielding team, ensuring that every route was completed, even when past injuries slowed Tam down.
During a delivery night in the late 1990s, Tam was sideswiped by another car, resulting in injuries that required hospitalization. At the time, he had saved $10,000 and was in the process of purchasing a small ranch-style "dream home" near Berryessa. However, the costs of his injuries shattered that dream.
"I didn't have enough to cover the expenses, and at that time I wasn't connected with the VA," Tam said, "so the hospital sued me and claimed all that money. It was more than I had. I used to drive by that house afterward, and it was tough. I'm glad it's no longer on my route, and I'm grateful that I finally have my own place."
More than two decades later, Tam managed to rebuild his savings and, with the help of a VA loan, his brother and Brasil, he purchased a small bungalow in Vallejo in 2022.
However, the specter of homelessness that haunted Tam in the past now confronts him once again as he faces an uncertain future. Memories of hunger, cold and uncertainty resurface, threatening to undermine the hard-earned stability he has achieved.
Tam’s physical and emotional journey has taken its toll. While his dedication and determination have carried him through countless hardships, finding alternative employment now appears to be a daunting challenge. His disability, exacerbated by the toll of his work, restricts his options and adds an additional layer of uncertainty to an already unpredictable future. The deep-rooted fear of homelessness grips his thoughts, reminding him of the long and arduous path he once walked to secure a place he could call home.
As he contemplates the impending loss of his livelihood, Tam reflects on his journey. He dedicated himself to serving his customers and the Napa Register, striving to provide the highest level of service possible. He took pride in his meticulous approach, ensuring that papers were never carelessly tossed. Yet decisions made by corporate entities seem to disregard the impact on loyal carriers like Tam, his brother and many others who relied on this job to support themselves and their families.
Despite the hurdles, Tam draws strength from the camaraderie and sacrifices of his fellow servicemen and women. Their memory serves as a constant reminder of the dedication and commitment required to protect the freedoms he holds dear. Their sacrifices fuel his determination to persevere and adapt, no matter the challenges that lie ahead. He said other newspaper delivery providers inspire him, too.
“It’s not just me that’s caught up in all this. There are so many other deliverers out there, too,” Tam said. “Many of the carriers are single mothers. I see them with their infants bundled up in the backseats. I work on their cars, mostly brakes, just to help them get by. We do what we do to get by, but seeing a mother's suffering is just a whole other level.”
As the sun sets on his career as a Napa Register newspaper delivery driver, Tam's legacy remains etched in the hearts of those who witnessed his unwavering dedication and selflessness. The impending loss of his job serves as a poignant reminder of the precariousness faced by many in an ever-changing world. As Tam navigates this uncertain chapter, his resilience, compassion and unyielding spirit will undoubtedly guide him, serving as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.
"When I think about how tough things are, I remember all those service members who didn't make it, and I feel the need to carry on to honor their sacrifice," Tam said. "I have no idea what the future holds, and sometimes it's hard to believe how difficult it can be, but there are so many others who have it even tougher."
A GoFundMe campaign has been setup for John and his brother. Click HERE to learn more or donate to the Tam brothers.
Tim Carl is a Napa Valley based photojournalist.
Thank you for excellent reporting on how corporate decisions - made far from Napa - have impacted the lives of John Tam and other newspaper carriers. This morning i found a letter from Grace Marroquin attached to my Register. After 24 years of being our newspaper carrier she is without employment as of July 16.
Thanks so much for this clear-eyed reporting on the news situation in Napa County. It's refreshing, even if it's sad news. This kind of information is so important for a community to have in plain sight. Best wishes to Tam and all who have been affected by these changes.