Dear editor:

I want to compliment you on and thank you for your great Aug. 15 editorial “Poilievre is truly great – at pandering,” not just for your fact checking of what Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said, but for your explanation and defence of local journalism.

I grew up in Burford, a small village in southwestern Ontario, and the weekly Burford Advance was an integral part of our community. Sadly gone now, so there is no source of local news.

I also worked in NOTL for a few years back in the 1980s at Shaw and I always read the local paper. I wasn’t a resident, but I worked in the town for 10 months of every year.

I wanted to know what was going on in the town, especially with the town council, because it might affect me and my job. I also wanted to know when and where the garage sales and bake sales were happening

I agree with your comments about “citizen journalists.” Like many, I studied my trade at university, put in my 10,000 hours to hone and perfect my skills. I have a dim view of people who think they can pick up a camera (or a hammer, in my case) and claim the same title I worked so hard to earn.

Thanks for your wonderful editorial and keep up the great work. It’s appreciated.

Stewart Jeans
Ottawa