It’s nearly 2016, which means millions of Americans are contemplating new year’s resolutions.
And once again, so are we.
The Record began a new tradition last year when we decided to forgo the regular new year’s editorial of how we think government can improve, and instead practice a bit of self-reflection. Well, it’s been 12 months, and while we still think resolutions are like fresh fish — it only takes a few days for them to start to stink — we’re happy to report that 2015 smelled a little rosier than years past.
We set out a few things we really wanted to do better and largely feel good about how we did. At the top of the list was our vow not to let the limitations of being a small twice weekly paper interfere with our sacred duty to provide readers with in-depth reporting, stories that can make a difference. While we still don’t have the budgets to support teams of investigative reporters, we knuckled down, managed our time better and penned stories that effected change.
The first that comes to mind was the South Whidbey School District’s policy to identify people making public records requests. Administrators said the idea was to better inform the board about the financial impacts of fulfilling the district’s state Public Records Act obligations. It was clear from the beginning, however, that names wouldn’t help directors understand financial impacts, only who was behind them. With thorough, detailed and consistent reporting, the board eventually agreed that names were irrelevant and did away with the policy.
In roughly the same manner, we also made steps to further the public’s understanding of Clinton’s ongoing struggle for economic viability, from writing about wins and losses. Staying consistent, we made sure to write about new businesses that moved to town as well as cover the unpopular issues that continually undermine recovery, such as the vacant storefronts that practically scream — Clinton is a dead town.
Yet, we think we could have done a better job here. Certainly there are other factors, both negative and positive, that we could have explored in greater detail, broadening community discussion and understanding of the complex issues standing in Clinton’s way. We plan to do better.
Finally, we made some headway in the way we deliver news, namely via the web and social media, but there is certainly room for more improvement. We’re planning some big changes for 2016 that should help us stay more relevant and important in an ever-increasing digital world.
Thank you, Record readers, for your continued support, and here’s to a great new year.
