Comment of the Day: 'Let's Hear It for Local News'

A hot conversation on Martinez Patch this week began with a blog post about the Martinez News Gazette and "what has become" of the paper in recent months.

Readers of the Gazette responded, either supporting the criticisms or asking for leniency as the paper goes through a process of reorganization.

"We have a new editor at the Gazette and we need to give her some time to get up to speed, like you would expect with any new job," said commenter Anne Mobley.

"The fact is we are LUCKY that Martinez even has a newspaper!" said commenter Donald E. Barkley.

The conversation grew more heated, and commenter Harriett Burt said it "proves that people truly care about the Gazette."

So, in appreciation for being one of the few cities in America that has managed to retain a local newspaper (The Martinez News Gazette), as well as developing online sources for news (Martinez Patch), and holding the attention of the big county paper (The Contra Costa Times - Martinez section), let's hear it for the local news outlets covering Martinez.

Share your messages of appreciation for the local news media in the comments below.

To spark a conversation, raise an issue or tell a story, start a blog on Martinez Patch or send a letter to the editor at Martinez@Patch.com.

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