Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

This week is National Newspaper Week, and, in honor of that, I wanted to editorialize a little about why we are so passionate about Glasgow, the news and telling peoples’ stories. If you go through the archives of the Courier, you can find stories that go back as far as the 1890s, and I would wager that there is no organization in the world that has cataloged the specific stories in our community as long and as consistently as the Courier.

We are truly writing our history every week of the year and have been every year for more than a century. That is a legacy we have taken very seriously. We have gone through great lengths to seek out compelling stories that need to be told and heard from all walks of life. I read a quote that was unattributed, but it more or less said that a good library is sure to have at least one thing that will offend everyone. I think this rings true for newspapers as well. The focus is not on telling one side of the story but in telling the story, and telling it from as many sides as possible, period.

Seriously, though, come check out the archives. The history can be seen, felt, read and understood from a whole new perspective over the more than a century of print here in Valley County.

The other reason we do what we do, other than recording our story, is to make sure someone asks the questions you need asked. We serve the purpose of representing the public in city council meetings, in law enforcement briefings, in court reports and in asking businesses, government branches and even non-profits, the questions that look out for you.

It may not feel like it, but every time we run a story about the city raising taxes or trying to pass a chicken ordinance, or a marijuana ordinance, or an ordinance to expand police jurisdictions, we are telling those stories to ensure you know exactly what your representatives, government and law enforcement are up to.

When we get on the phone and talk to Congressmen, Senators or even former Ambassadors, we do it not only to get their input, but also to remind them that the people of Glasgow are paying attention to what they do in D.C., or otherwise. They answer our questions, but in those questions they also hear concerns from the community and not in a political or partisan way either.

I was asked one time if I was going to be fair in an article. My response was that I was going to tell the truth. With hesitation, that person did not respond to the comment. We did the interview and they ultimately liked the write-up, but my job is not fairness, it is truth. Now, in seeking that truth, I need to allow everyone to respond and give input but not at the expense of the truth.

I have been told I have stepped on toes. I have to ask why those people have such sensitive feet? I have told the truth, asked hard questions, made people uncomfortable and printed what the public needed to know. All while respecting the concerns of many of our civic leaders and community members at the same time. If I am stepping on toes and telling the truth then the person with sensitive feet needs to reconsider their actions or do a better job of carrying their message to the community.

Our goal from day one, has been to serve the people of Valley County. If that means we step on toes, then I welcome that. If that means people in power are slightly more considerate of what they do and what they say, then I welcome that. If that means we seek out and tell the truth, no matter how it is perceived, then I welcome that. If that rattles the old guard and the good ole’ boy clubs then I certainly welcome that.

In 100 years, someone will be able to find this period of Glasgow’s story in our archives, and I hope that when they do they see the community I see. A community teeming with diversity, growing in stature, taking on challenges and pursuing the American dream. That is the Glasgow I see, the Glasgow I chose to be apart of, and we, The Glasgow Courier, have every intention of writing about it.

Sincerely,

A.J. Etherington