OPINION PIECE
It’s been quite awhile since I have had the opportunity to pen a column talking about the subject of community and the key factors in building healthy, active, energized communities.
As our local papers have now shut down and we see the priority placed on developing an online local news product, it underscores the importance of ensuring we have an informed citizenry. It is one of the keys to remaining a healthy community.
As you can see, the online news product is called Carver County Local News and its focus initially will be on the cities that make up School District 112 in Eastern Carver County.
THE LOSS: For many, we no longer have the ability to understand what is going on within our cities. We have lost the coverage of local elections, death notices, community events, local government meetings, and school-related activities and athletics. If we believe that an engaged community is a healthy community, then it must start with the communication that builds understanding.
One of the tenets of healthy communities is the ability to access objective reporting that people can go trust, that presents basic reporting of the facts instead of the sharing of opinion found on social media. Such objective reporting, absent of bias and prejudice, is the goal of Carver County Local News. The mission of the nonprofit organization is to inform and engage the community – a goal desired by many who mourn the loss of our local newspapers.
CCLN MISSION: So there lies the goal of CCLN. CCLN is working feverishly to address and provide local community information and news that will fill a major need of the four communities of District 112, to begin with. Its stated commitment is to report on local news and happenings, providing trusted coverage of governmental activity, schools, businesses, sports, community events and more.
CCLN has stated that it will strive to inform the public and tell the stories of its vibrant and diverse communities. Please spread the word of this effort, and it’s exciting to know we will be seeing more information that will help us become more informed, aware and engaged in our communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: A Board of Directors made up of Mike Huang, Chair, Dan Keyport, Ruth Lunde and Bhakti Modi is in place and may add a couple of additional members as the effort moves along. Sponsorship, subscriptions and advertising levels and rates are being developed, along with a fundraising campaign. Financial contributions have been coming in as people have heard about this effort. Donors are demonstrating the strong community support that exists for this work.
Healthy communities are built on the commitment to the transparent sharing of news and information that helps us all feel connected to our communities. I know we all appreciate the dedication and commitment of the leaders of this effort to ensuring we have an informed community.
As with most new ventures, I’m sure they’d appreciate your patience at times, and would also appreciate your feedback on how they may add value for you, the consumer.
