Your turn to join the masses

The lead articles and photo in last week’s paper came from interns in Olympia employed by the Washington Publishers Newspapers Association. Throughout the 60-day state legislative session, articles from these journalism students will continue to appear.

Their trainer and editor is Sandy Stokes, this paper’s former co-owner. The Weekly News is a member of WNPA. Part of its dues, along with the other member newspapers, support the next generation of journalists.

Support also came from Nell Thorn, the Country Inn, The Planter Hotel, the La Conner Pub and the Museum of Northwest Art. Last fall these businesses and MoNA donated gift certificates that collectively went into a La Conner get-away packet that was the high bid winner at the annual WNPA Convention auction for scholarships.

This is what democracy looks like is also a chant at citizen rallies such as last year’s, and next week’s, Women’s March. Democracy, a process and not a product, is built, as well as maintained, every day. It – democracy – is not better when “my” or “your” side is winning. Democracy is actually strengthened when we disagree and all sides stay engaged, period.

Democracy is not finished when folks come home from a rally or cast their ballot through the mail, any more than anyone is forever clean when she steps out of the shower.

Democracy is not only about laws being passed or protesting the president or electing state legislators. Democracy is about Janet Laurel starting a dialogue by publicly sharing her view about improving the look of Morris Street. Democracy is about the Town of La Conner inserting a flyer in our water and sewer bills inviting participation in the updating of the Town’s comprehensive plan. Democracy is writing letters to the editor on the issue important to you. Democracy advances when our elected and appointed leaders share their outlooks for the year with the community – you – in these pages,

Democracy is about your ongoing participation in your community at every level, local, state and federal.

Democracy is very much about every one of us writing the biggest checks we can to fund the new library.

Democracy is about your local newspaper championing your involvement.