All around the country, families and friends are gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving. Here at the Gilroy Dispatch, we’re celebrating too.
Not a day goes by that we’re not thankful for you, our community and our readers. Without your support, our paper wouldn’t exist. We rely on your news tips, story ideas and comments to help share the stories the community cares about. Every time you pick up a copy or visit gilroydispatch.com, you’re helping us carry out our mission of delivering the news and at the same time staying up to date.
Your comments—whether you wholeheartedly disagree with an editorial or you support a recent action of the City Council—help fuel discussion on the topics that impact our community. Discussion leads to action and action leads to change. Just take a look at a small sliver of what Gilroyans have been able to accomplish this year.
The business community took up the challenge of changing the city’s sign ordinance to allow A-frame signs and the community at large took a stand against the half-cent tax increase called Measure F during the Nov. 4 election. We can only hope that our stories helped provide you with the insight and knowledge to make an informed decision when it comes to issues that impact the city we live in.
Gilroy is full of interesting people with compelling stories—many of which we may have missed if it wasn’t for you. We are extremely thankful for the phone calls, emails and messages via social media that give us the opportunity to meet and tell the stories of our fascinating community members.
Through you, we learned of two brave students— Valerie Cejas and Morgan Howard—and their effort to create a save haven for Gilroy High School students by establishing an anti-bullying program.
We also learned of Eddie Kannelly Jr. and attended the emotional, close-knit ceremony that honored his veteran father who died in World World II before Eddie ever got the chance to meet him. It was here that Kannelly met his extended Gilroy family for the first time and was given an American flag and 21-gun salute in his father’s honor.
Let’s not forget about Dale and Lorraine Rouse, the couple that renewed their vows after 33 years of marriage—a final act of devotion from Dale who is battling cancer.
There are countless other examples that you, our readers, sent our way on a daily basis and for that we say “thank you.” Not all of our staff members are from the area, but everyone of us has been welcomed with open arms. Each and every day, you invite us into your homes, workplaces, schools and sporting venues to capture the stories that make this community tick. It’s a rare but wonderful trait.
Thank you, Gilroy, for opening up to us.
Whether they’re celebrating the highs of a sports victory or reeling from the consequences of a local government decision, Gilroyans as a whole never shy away from us. So, thank you for taking the time to talk to us no matter what the situation so that we may share your stories with the greater community.
The Dispatch has a long history here, and we hope to continue being a part of it for many years to come. Just as readers thank us for writing articles and covering events, we thank you for supporting us. From all of us here at the Gilroy Dispatch, we want to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving.
-The Gilroy Dispatch Staff
