As most of the population heads back to the gym, starts drinking more water or commits to preparing more home cooked meals, our newsroom has made a few resolutions of our own.
All year round we continue to evolve our products to best fit the needs and desires of our readers, but a new year offers an opportunity for marked change, so we are jumping on the bandwagon and making changes, too.
If this election season taught us anything, it is that our readers need and want a platform to make their voices heard. This opportunity has always been available, but we want more opportunities to keep the conversation going.
Perhaps a contentious election cycle was a blessing in disguise in some ways, as many weeks we have had more opinion content than we have room for. Beginning next week, you will find an opinion page every day in our daily newspapers, rather than once a week.
Our talented columnists will be spread out over five days rather than filling your Thursday newspapers and our editorial board will make a more concerted effort to weigh in on issues that matter to the communities we serve.
We cannot do this alone, though. We need your help.
Even though the election season is over and seats have been filled, there are plenty of topics to keep us all talking.
Were you concerned about an issue discussed at a council meeting? Do you simply want to thank the community for giving back at a fundraiser you hosted, or tell our readers about a stranger who went the extra mile to make your day?
Write a letter and tell us about it. Letters are limited to 300 words, must contain only one author and may not attack another person. All facts asserted must be easily proven or attributed and letter writers must submit their address and phone number for verification purposes (this information will not be published).
We encourage civil conversation and unlike is often the case with heated debates on social media, we offer someone to police it.
Additionally, we will begin publishing categorized calendars throughout the week. We will publish a listing of church events, a regional arts and entertainment calendar, and a club and non-profit meeting calendar in addition to our regular local community calendar.
If you are part of an organization, church or entertainment group hosting a free event, you can send details to us and publicize the information for no charge.
At leaderpub.com, you can find our calendar form by clicking on the “Services” tab at the top of the page and then clicking “Submit an event.” Events will be emailed to our newsroom and published as soon as possible.
Events can also be submitted in writing via email or snail mail. Send the event title, date, time, location, a brief description and contact information for questions to news@leaderpub.com or 217 N. Fourth St.
In 2017, we resolve to work harder than ever to publish local information and viewpoints that you cannot find anywhere else.

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.