The state of the Weekly News

Last week the centerfold reprised last year’s news. This week, in this space, is a reflection on the Weekly News.

This newspaper is pleased to report it is up as the year starts. Subscriptions and renewals are up, as are revenues. So are hopes.

After 18 months and 80 issues the goal remains to have each issue be the best one yet.

The paper comes out because of the focused, ongoing efforts of the people listed in the masthead at the bottom of this page. That is now bigger, filling all five columns so the type is larger for easier reading. This gives writers, photographers and staff more deserved recognition.

A letter policy box now anchors page two. That is to encourage you to participate. Please do so. You are reading about your community. Share your thoughts on events and issues covered and especially those whereby your sharing ensures their inclusion.

Following this newspaper’s example of speaking up, sharing your opinion is a good idea. Space on this page is waiting for you to use it. Please write.

Envelopes flooded in from last fall’s subscription’s drive. They could have been ballots, your votes of confidence mandating the editor stay in office. Thank you.

The majority of the over 200 envelopes were renewals. One was for 10 years. Ten years! Another was for six. Many were for two and three years. It was a La Conner version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It is.

This bounty is shared with the paper’s staff. Everyone received a 20 percent wage increase in November, placing them significantly above the minimum wage. If we continue to succeed at meeting the needs of readers and merchants, there will be another wage increase by March. My goal is to work with people earning a living, and professional’s, wage.

The paper is anchored in the community. No one commutes more than five miles to work.

At least a couple of people brought up the fall NPR news story of the study of the worth of newspapers to a community’s residents in keeping taxes lower by being a watchdog on local government, thereby reducing shenanigans – corruption – and helping them stay honest.

Consider the cost of the paper and whether you are getting your money’s worth. The newspaper exists for the community. It is a unique business in society, sanctioned by the Constitution. But more, it is obligated and responsible to promote and advance democracy: our living together in community and working toward decisions that enhance the general welfare. That doesn’t mean we have to agree or like each other all the time. But, unless someone leaves – or stops reading the Weekly News – we are in this together. Sharing your version of reality is a good idea.

The general welfare. What a quaint, 18th century, ground breaking concept, advanced by a group of white men coming together from as far away as Connecticut and Georgia.

They had common interests. They had large differences. They shared a sense of the common good.

So does this newspaper. Its success is the community’s, too.

Here is to doing the hard work together, for all of our own good.