Several years ago, a group of North Carolina newspaper publishers gathered and the conversation went about as expected. There was a lot of “shop” talk.

One comment was worth a fortune.

“We do a terrible job of promoting ourselves. Newspapers always have.”

Like any statement, it’s hardly applicable blanket coverage. Yes, very true in some places, and yet in others not at all accurate. For most newspapers, it’s a mix.

The root of such a comment stems from our traditional position to be neutral. The Bladen Journal sticks to that today, sans offering opinion where it is regularly allowed — on this, the Opinion page. We take a stance under “Our View” and we offer contrasting opinions through op-ed pieces, letters and cartoons.

We hope for a page that offers readers a constructive conversation, a healthy dialogue that allows for disagreement and thrives when there is common good achieved for our community.

We haven’t done much, if any, self-promotion. We’re a sponsor here and there, and we’re visible at many events even if we’re not a sponsor. So while we do have engagement with the community, there’s only so much.

The Bladen Journal is proud of its long association with the Empty Stocking Fund, its sponsorship of the Summer Sounds series in Elizabethtown and several other projects over the years. They’ve all been worthwhile investments.

We have stepped forward this year with more commitments. Our hope in doing so is to have more engagement with our community, a reminder that we see ourselves as a partner in making Bladen County a better place.

We were in Ammon earlier this year and we’ll have a tent Saturday at Relay for Life. You’ll find our name among the sponsors for next month’s 41st annual White Lake Water Festival, and this summer’s music series in both Elizabethtown and White Lake.

We’ll have a presence at some nonprofit fundraisers, such as the golf tournament for Bladen We Care on Thursday.

There’s a front page story today about absentee ballots. Our county took an embarrassing punch when last fall’s election didn’t end last fall, and the reason the state Board of Elections found was the intentional actions of a few to use that process to taint the results.

A reader’s suggestion prompted us for that front page story. We’re much obliged to her. That’s engagement for the benefit of the community, one we can help.

Community newspapers still matter. We pledge to be engaged, committed now as much as ever to better our community.

We hope the feeling is mutual, that advertisers see the value in our work and pledge to support us through the purchase of advertisements, and that residents believe in us and pledge support as well through the purchase of subscriptions. We depend on our community to “shop local” with us.

Through our award-winning internet and print publications, more people than ever before are reading our work. That’s good to know.

From us to you, “Thanks!”

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