Voice of Leader Publications

By Michael Bennett, publisher

On Sunday, Santa arrived in Niles thanks to the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce. It was a glorious seasonally warm day to see Santa, although we usually don’t visit until after Thanksgiving.

Santa was happy to take my random wish list. He promised if I did a better job of keeping my desk organized he would see what he could do to make all of my wishes come true.

Dear Santa:

I’ve been pretty good this year, and I’ve work really hard to bring Leader Publications closer to our communities. Like most of the country, our area has been hit hard over the past few years.

For too long, it has been hard for people to find jobs. Many companies, including mine, have had to find ways to save expenses. Some of us have had to lay people off. It would be fantastic if you could help our area’s unemployment rate drop below 5 percent this coming year. I know many business leaders that will be happy to join me in this effort.

Please help members of the community understand they can do their part. This Christmas season, please plant the seed to shop locally. When you get ready to find those unique gifts you can’t build at the North Pole, remember we have some wonderful locally owned shops in Edwardsburg, Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Niles and Buchanan. Shopping locally will help increase jobs and our tax base.

Since you can’t give everything we need on your own, there are other seeds I would like you to plant, Santa. Help bring our communities together. Our politicians, citizens, educators, manufacturers and business owners need to understand that working together, all of us in Cass and Berrien counties, not to mention our neighbors, will prosper. Maybe you can leave a nice note with that message for all.

For Leader Publications, help spread the word we need the help of all in the community so we can get the word out on all of the positive things the good people here are doing. Make sure they know that, if they send us photographs and stories, we would be appreciative. Maybe you can put one of our papers in every stocking, so those that have stopped reading will do so again. We really want to be invited into everyone’s homes whether it is our online or print version. I may even provide discounts for those readers that would like to share us as a gift this year.

Well, Santa, this is a small list but with big wishes. And since my editor holds me to a word count that I have already passed, I will say good luck and goodbye!