Here’s hoping that 2016 provides more opportunities to make sense of the world around us.
2015 has been a calamitous year on many fronts.
Between natural disasters, evolving climate patterns, wars, refugee crises and terrorism reaching our shores there is a lot to be concerned about. Some of these items are beyond our control, but for those we can assist with, there is an urgency to do so. The welcoming of refugees certainly is a start.
The bigger picture items, like terrorism and the war itself are issues that continue to fester. It’s hard to make sense of any situation that has its basis in religious intolerance. North Americans remain quite isolated apart from “soft terrorist activities,” which is a glib term assigned to shocking events on this continent that involve just a few people losing lives.
The hard reality is we need to be on guard at all times against intolerance of any kind.
We believe part of that involves the ability of people to talk about issues.
Reviewing some of our News coverage and commentaries within our own publication, we think 2015 has been a year of thought provoking ideas and exceptional News coverage.
Residents here can engage and encourage others to think bigger and better of their communities.
It’s very much a choice, and despite the odd groan over a cartoon, letter or editorial in this Newspaper, it remains a fact that we are here to serve our readers and advertisers.
We will continue trying to make sense of local issues for our readers and encourage dialogue on issues of import. It is a balancing act that will never be perfect, but we are committed to making opportunities for understanding and developing common ground.
Perhaps if that were the practice in all communities around the globe, we might find the peace and hope humanity deserves.
On behalf of our staff, thank you for a rewarding 2015 and the opportunity to continue earning your support and trust in 2016.
Happy New Year.
