For more than 25 years, my wife and I have subscribed to the Herald and watched our community grow. We look forward to the word puzzles over dinner. The Herald brings local and regional activities, governmental decisions and highlights state and national news.
I don’t always agree with the editorials and certainly not with all the letters, but I am always informed by them. In this age of exaggeration and heightened emotions, I welcome the Herald’s restraint in its language and tone and its efforts to fact-check.
Community psychology asks what systems contribute to a competent community; a community that is diverse, vibrant and sustainable despite economic, social and environmental challenges. It turns out competent communities have key local institutions: inpatient and outpatient health care facilities, a strong education system, sound law enforcement, and a newspaper.
The importance of a newspaper should not come as a surprise. It informs us, prompts us to think and to make good decisions. Our paper brings our focus to our community where we still can make a difference, in contrast to national news which seems to divide us more and turns up the heat on issues we have little to no ability to influence.
Newspapers across the country are struggling and many are closing up shop. Rather than complain about changes to our paper that are driven by harsh economic realities, we should applaud the Herald’s heroic efforts to persevere in this difficult environment, bringing us the news and keeping us strong as a community.
Bernard H. Heath
Durango
