Local papers are essential to democracy

In response to your editorial on press freedom:

To all of you whose names we know from the bylines, and the many others who make this newspaper happen but whose names we never see, let me just say “thank you.”

I may not always agree with what the paper prints, but I stand with you today and every day. I am a regular visitor to our congressional representatives, where I see firsthand the impact the paper has on their decisions (whether they like what you write or not).

You are not our enemy — you are an essential part of our democracy. Whether you’re writing front page stories, cleaning the newsroom each night, or delivering the paper each morning, I am grateful.