Newspaper still vital

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to visit “The Olympian” during its open house.   I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t have any idea of how many people would attend the three-hour drop in invitation.

I got there a little past the starting time of 4 p.m. and was surprised to see the parking lot full of cars.   The community room was also filled with people.

It didn’t take me long to realize that most of those who were at “The Olympian” that afternoon – at least while I was there – were people who represented the various community groups.

Every South Sound service agency was in attendance and made up most of those present during the time I was there.

I estimate that there are more than a thousand local community groups in the South Sound.   School groups – social service groups – sports groups – – youth groups – senior groups – environmental groups – entertainment groups – – the list seems endless.

And, everyone of them depend on our local daily newspaper to get the word out about their meetings – about their services – about their mission and about their successes.

I’ve been a subscriber to “The Olympian” since 1966.   I was a subscriber when the paper was in its heyday and was the only game in town – – and I’m a subscriber now – – because of what it continues to do.

The internet may be the newest and latest means of getting the news out, but the internet is only as good as the people who post items on it.

With “The Olympian” we know that we get educated, trained reporters who do their best to remain unbiased.   We know the news we get will be genuine.

While I will continue to criticize it when it gets too far from the political middle, I will also continue to subscribe.

It may not be the only game in town, but it is still a professional operation.