Ushering in the North Idaho new year
As I wrap up my first year in Coeur d’Alene, we close another chapter in our community, nation and world. Fittingly, much is to be celebrated during this time of year, and it’s important to reach out to those very special people and organizations that make a difference in our lives.
Family and friends should always be at the top of any list, but for our newspaper group we also want to celebrate this time of year by extending warm appreciation to our readers and advertisers along with civil servants, community and business leaders. Also at the top of our list are the hundreds of contributors and volunteers who made this year’s Press Christmas for All campaign a resounding success! You’re very important, so on behalf of my Coeur d’Alene Press and Hagadone Corporation colleagues, we want to say thank you.
Speaking of colleagues…praise certainly wouldn’t be complete without thanking a committed group of hundreds who write, sell, design, manufacture and deliver the Press beginning in the dark of night and continuing throughout the day on cdapress.com.
As we usher in a new year, there are reasons for optimism. Northwest Idaho continues to thrive, consumer confidence is growing and most leading economic indicators are pointing in the right direction. Panhandle job growth is on the fast-track, large and small businesses are investing and get this… ground has even broken on a much-needed parking deck here in our beautiful town — pave paradise and put up a parking lot, eh? Extra parking…now that’s reason for optimism!
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but 2018 will most certainly be a year full of significant news and events. Can optimism and politics be used in the same sentence? Before we know it, Idahoans will be entering voting booths to help chart our future. We live in a democracy that provides everyone an opportunity to shape their personal lives, take responsibility, impact our communities and make a difference
How do we play a part and make a difference? The Coeur d’Alene Press is a media company dedicated to the core mission of best serving our readers and advertisers through a vibrant and growing platform of products and services. We aspire to inform and entertain while helping you save time and money. Whether through print or digital, we will be your leading source for local news and information. You can expect us to tell a story and report the news while educating and informing through an expanse of articles and editorials.
“Print” is our franchise and a consistently powerful medium. Yet the reality is that delivery systems continue to evolve and we plan on keeping pace. Look for the Press to grow our social media presence along with a host of digital offerings. We can’t work fast enough to focus on relevant content and expand multimedia platforms where print, online and mobile coexist, playing to their strengths. All factors shaping how information is consumed and how buyers and sellers interact.
So you might ask, what 2017 memory stands out the most, Riley? Without question, discovering how education and youth are so top-of-mind here. Have you ever visited our downtown library? If not, please do. And how about North Idaho College — what a jewel in our Gem State. Or something different — do you know about KTEC or Gizmo-CDA? The Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County — I can’t say enough.
There you have it. Kootenai County, Idaho. Full of history and making history. A timber town transformed. Heck...I even had a youthful flashback recently while riding on the new carousel. A first since I can’t remember when. Our Lake City — a special place!
Best to you in 2018.
LARRY RILEY
Publisher