Editor:
Loss of local newspapers is a trend in small communities all over North America. A column in the Vancouver Sun this week prompted this letter.
Over 1,400 small papers have shut down over the past 15 years in the U.S. I’m sure you noticed that the Optimist arrives only once a week instead of twice. This could be the canary in the coal mine for our small community.
People check all their devices to get the news. The lifeblood of revenue for our paper comes from advertising. This cash is now being diverted to online sources. Staff working for the paper should be paid for their efforts.
We look to the paper for those great warmhearted items about our children, Crime Beat, local business, sports and club events, arts and entertainment news, municipal council and other local activities, even obituaries.
The Optimist asks its customers and news junkies, like me, to pay only $1 a week ($52.50 yearly) for a voluntary subscription. If you don’t want to lose our local resource, please open that chequebook and send it today to: The Delta Optimist, 5008-47A Ave., Delta, B.C., V4K 1T8.
Newspapers are important.
Laurel Johnson
