Publisher Bill Johnson says the alt weekly would rather ask readers to cough up $5 or more as 
a monthly donation than charge for a subscription or restrict access to Palo Alto Online, its website. So it’s sending a letter to residents asking for help:
"… The traditional business model that allowed local journalism to be almost solely supported through advertising is quickly evaporating . . . These changes threaten the viability of quality local journalism everywhere, including in our community."
