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January 1, 2013

Our pledge to readers

Anonymous Commercial-News The Commercial-News Tue Jan 01, 2013, 02:00 AM CST

DANVILLE — A community’s newspaper plays a daily role in the lives of the people it serves. A newspaper’s primary function is to inform, to provide the facts necessary so residents can make informed decisions.

Newspapers also do much more. We entertain. We celebrate successes. We mourn losses. We serve as a forum for community debate. We play the role of watchdog, digging for information behind the scenes, verifying information and pointing out the good, the bad and the ugly.

We will continue to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, and to call for the doors of government to be open to public scrutiny. Secret deals and clandestine negotiations often benefit special interests rather than the public.

Our credibility continues to be — as it has for the past 147 years — our most precious asset. The Commercial-News is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., a company more than a 100 newspapers across the country. Yet the decisions about what stories we will report, what photos we will publish and what opinions are expressed in our editorials are made by the journalists who work every day at 17 W. North St. Those decisions are based on what we think is the best course for our readers, period.

Part of the effort to maintain our credibility involves making sure our stories, photos and other information is as accurate as possible. We’re the first to admit we’re not perfect, and mistakes occur. When they do, we will correct them in a timely fashion.

Our readers continue to play an important role in shaping our content. We welcome story suggestions, their comments, their complaints and their compliments. Our editor can be reached at 477-5183, by e-mail at lsmith@dancomnews.com or by regular mail at P.O. Box 787, Danville IL 61834-0787.

We also strive to provide our readers with the best possible customer service not only in our news coverage, but in advertising and newspaper delivery. We want readers to let us know when we don’t get it right so we can take corrective action. And we appreciate hearing when we get it right, too.

A newspaper remakes itself every day. Every edition gives us the opportunity to improve, to better serve our readers and to build a better business. We can do that only with your help. We look forward toward a better 2013 for us all.

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Editorials

Saying goodbye to a good friend
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May 24, 2013
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May 22, 2013
Way to go, graduates!
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Seizure of AP records insults independent press
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Don't rush to change limit
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May 15, 2013
Tell Mom thanks
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Set example in the stands
A new season of youth sports — primarily baseball and softball — will begin in earnest during the next few weeks. That means it’s time to have a chat about sportsmanship — with the parents.

May 10, 2013
We share responsibility to end litter
The young man walked northward along Gilbert Street, tipping back his can of soda as he crossed the end of Memorial Bridge and started to take the curve toward Main Street.

May 8, 2013
Spend tax dollars in wise ways
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May 5, 2013
Dam debate took an ugly turn
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May 4, 2013
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