Looking back at 2006, we take great satisfaction in the fact that The Arlington Times and Marysville Globe were named the top two newspapers in their circulation group by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and that staff members brought home nearly two dozen awards in the WNPAs annual better newspaper contest.
But looking ahead to 2007 we also realize that we must continue to improve to better meet the needs and expectations of our readers. To do just that, the new year will mark a renewed effort by the entire staff to ensure that The Times and The Globe are your community newspapers and that were providing you with all the news and information you want, need and expect.
One of the first things we plan to do is to form Reader Advisory Boards for both The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times. The Reader Advisory Boards will be made up of community members (subscribers and non-subscribers alike) wholl meet with me, and possibly members of the editorial staff, on a monthly basis to discuss how were doing both the good and the bad and how we can continue to improve. Its our goal that the Reader Advisory Boards reflect the diversity of our communities and those who call them home. Serving on the RAB will require a small time commitment, probably two hours per month, but could make a big difference in ensuring The Globe and The Times continue to meet and exceed readers expectations.
In the coming weeks and months well also be taking a closer look, with the help of the RAB, at what stories we cover and how we cover them. We will continue to cover the major stories growth, transportation, education, public safety, economic development and the like but we will also enhance and expand our coverage of the other stories which focus on the people in our communities. You can plan to see more stories on service organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, the Lions Club, Soroptimists and others, as well as increased coverage of local organizations like the historical society, Friends of the Library, the V.F.W., the American Legion and others. Were also working to expand our coverage of local businesses things like promotions, awards and retirements will all receive renewed emphasis.
Well also be expanding the coverage we provide to material submitted by community members. Got a great picture of a family reunion, a local sporting event, an adventurous outing, community service project, a local sunset or kids playing in the park? Just e-mail your photos to us with the who, what, when and where, as well as your name and phone number, and well publish as many as we can in The Globe and The Times and post all of them on our Web sites well even provide you with some free copies of the paper to send to your family and friends.
Well also be looking at ways to improve our Web site and make it more interactive for our readers. A weekly poll, a blog to discuss local issues and upcoming stores, reader surveys and pages for reader submitted photos are just some of the enhancements we are considering. Well also be looking at ways to make it easier for readers to submit their comments, story ideas, complaints, questions and other input via the webpages.
We are very excited about the changes that will be happening over the coming weeks and months and look forward to working with the people in our communities to make The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe the best community newspapers we can be.
If you would like to volunteer for The Arlington Times Reader Advisory Board or The Marysville Globe Advisory Board, or if you have any comments or suggestions about what we can do to enhance and improve our print editions as well as our Web site, please dont hesitate to call me at 360-659-1300 or e-mail me at scottf@marysvilleglobe.com.

Scott Frank
Managing Editor

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board Kris Passey, Scott Frank or Margi Hartnett e-mail forum@premier1.net.