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Dear editor: Please give me one reason why I should be a loyal customer of the Sandusky Register. This weekend paper was put together so fast, let's get this so we can go home. They missed a lot, that was in the normal weekender and the Indians game was over before 11 p.m. The paper just keeps getting smaller and less informed. Thanks. Signed: Bill Dear Bill: Thanks for writing, sir. There are hundreds of reasons why residents should support the local newspaper. We are, in a very real way, the only source of independent information available in our community. Our company is the only company in the four-county area that is invested and employs a full team of hardworking journalists dedicated to presenting important and factual information. We serve as both a watchdog for good government and a cheerleader for progress in our community. One study shows that in communities that become "news deserts" (those that lost their community newspaper) the cost of government goes up exponentially and the accountability for municipal services is diminished to a serious, troubling and in some cases dangerous level. You are mistaken if you believe the weekend paper "was put together so fast, let's get this so we can go home" way. That's simply not true. It's true, the paper is smaller, more so lately given the loss of advertising/revenue dollars due to the pandemic. And, our deadlines are earlier because we've consolidated our printing with other newspapers as a cost-cutting measure. Like nearly all businesses, our model was changing before the pandemic, and since then, due to the way people access the news, particularly our digital products. Just this week, according to the county health department, it was able to obtain 3,000 COVID-19 tests for members of our community after the shortage of tests was reported by our newspaper. In Saturday's Weekender edition, we published photos of 41 different local people (most celebrating or participating in community activities); 19 local news stories; the real estate transactions in four counties; the deaths, births and important anniversaries for members of our community; national features, local and national opinions; local and national sports stories; weekly and weekend color comics; the TV listings for an entire week; television news; features and advice columns; and a lead story about an interview with a former sheriff who was driven out of office because our newspaper exposed his corruption and fought for years for the families hurt by his wrongdoing. Like I said, there are hundreds of reasons why you should continue to buy a Register, every day, and I hope you will. Consider the value compared to ... say buying a cappuccino at the local coffee house. For the price and tip for one cup of coffee (not counting the expense of traveling to the coffee shop) the Register delivers the news to your doorstep six days a week, and electronically both in an ePaper and news stream at sanduskyregister.com. We are extremely proud of the product we deliver, and of the dedicated staff members who care about their community and work hard to serve it. We're regret and are sorry that you're disappointed. Thanks. Matt Westerhold, editor, Sandusky Register * For home delivery or digital version only go to sanduskyregister.com/live-content/subscribe/or call 419-625-5500.