Thanks for reading, Petaluma

As we approach the conclusion of a very busy and eventful year of change here at the Argus-Courier, we thought it an appropriate time to reflect upon what makes this unique community partnership work, to recognize the dedication of our staff, and to explain the critical role played by our advertisers and readers in making this 161-year-old newspaper what we believe is one of the finest in Northern California.

The privileges of operating a newspaper are weighed by several key responsibilities, primary among them the delivery of fair, accurate and thorough reporting on local news. This year, members of our editorial staff once again earned statewide recognition for editorial excellence, including a first place award for general excellence among all mid-sized weekly newspapers in California.

Our advertising staffers capably served the needs of local businesses by developing effective, results-based advertising programs. Because local businesses now require a multi-media approach to reaching local consumers, we expanded our advertising initiatives to better serve their needs with a growing suite of digital marketing services and solutions.

Playing an equally critical role are the Argus-Courier’s advertising partners, without whom we simply would not exist. Advertising messages by local businesses subsidize this enterprise, and our readers’ response to those advertisements helps support these businesses whose financial success guarantees a strong local economy.

The dedication of our staff and the patronage of local businesses would mean nothing were it not for you, the thousands Petaluma Argus-Courier readers who wish to stay well informed about their community. Communication is a two-way street, and what we write about often flows from suggestions provided to us by our readers.

It was reader feedback, in fact, that helped guide a number of improvements we undertook this year that included an increase in our coverage of local environmental issues and outdoor recreational activities, along with a major redesign that debuted last month.

We know that many of you reading the print newspaper every Thursday also go to our website, petaluma360.com.To better serve you, our team launched a redesigned and responsive homepage for desktop, tablet and smartphone. With the modernized design, we are now able to showcase more of the many photo galleries and videos our staff produces while giving you easier access to breaking news. Unlimited access to Petaluma360.com content remains free to all home delivery subscribers of the Argus-Courier.

Our readers, together with the volunteers on our newly formed editorial advisory board, helped us to identify community needs, and their input helped generate news stories that uncovered possible solutions to help address those needs. Readers also made us aware of a great number of community celebrations and happenings, making it possible for us to share that news with everyone, whether by spotlighting outstanding student academic achievements, recognizing the volunteers who orchestrated a successful community fundraiser or how you could pitch in to help a neighbor in need.

The Petaluma Argus-Courier is very much a community partnership, and we want to publicly thank all our employees for their hard work and dedication to excellence, our advertisers for utilizing the newspaper to grow their businesses and our readers for their desire to be well-informed on how to make their community the best it can be.

Together, we’re preserving a rich and vital tradition of America’s community newspapers.

Happy Thanksgiving, Petaluma.