Give the gift of local news
To the Editor:
My wife and I are part-time residents of Western North Carolina, and regardless of where we are we rely on The Smoky Mountain News to keep up with what is happening locally. We make a (very) nominal monthly contribution to the newspaper, recognizing that it is the best source of local and hyper-local news in the region.
In a recent e-mail from Scott McLeod, we were shocked to learn that we are in a group of less than 100 who do so. Seriously, people?
There are many sources from which to get the national and international news, but where else can we get in-depth, up-to-date reporting on what is happening with the various city and county governments? That sort of thing has great value to all of us. Regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum you must admit that the reporting and other content in the SMN is balanced, professional, thorough and insightful, and should be supported and expanded.
Granted, for some folks even a nominal contribution is not possible, but for a lot of us it is, and it can make a big difference in the access we have to the information that directly impacts the quality of life in the mountains. So, in this season of giving, go to the SMN homepage, click on the “Contribute” button at the bottom of the homepage, and give yourself a gift — that of local news. It will benefit us all.
Tom Foley
Bryson City and Decatur, Ga.
