Thomas Jefferson wrote that a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite for democracy. 

That, my friends, is why LebTown exists some 230 years after the author took pen in hand and etched those words on paper. 

LebTown is unique: it’s a Lebanon County publication that covers Lebanon County news for Lebanon Countians. 

While we all like to talk about headline-grabbing national events around the workplace watercooler, it’s the news that happens HERE, in our own backyard, that has the greatest impact on our lives. 

The decisions made by your elected county and municipal government leaders and school board officials are the ones that have the biggest influence on your day-to-day. 

And while it may be great to know about a newsworthy event that happened elsewhere, it’s local news that resonates on a much deeper and personal level. 

LebTown is dedicated to delivering local news that helps people navigate their daily lives and make educated decisions. This would, quite frankly, be difficult to achieve without a news source like LebTown.

Having the privilege to work in a medium that has the implicit ability to frame political issues – and, really, all the news that we publish – in a fair and balanced way is something this writer never takes for granted. Giving all sides an opportunity to speak is one of LebTown’s guiding principles. We believe in always making the extra call and seeking common ground.

I currently cover county government for LebTown and have to share an interesting bit of information with you. All three county commissioners have commented – on more than one occasion – how appreciative they are that their meetings are covered by the local press. 

While some might wonder why the commissioners would make such a comment, they do so because they realize that a free press is crucial to the very freedoms we enjoy as a democratic nation. But like everything else in life, there is a cost associated with bringing the news to you.

Here is a summary of some of the local news LebTown staff covered for the community in 2022:

• Covered more than 70 municipal meetings
• Made food safety inspections, police blotters, and obituaries accessible each week
• Profiled all the candidates in local state legislature races
• Only outlet to report on the $1.75 million settlement over a fatal PSP shooting in Lebanon County

As for me, I became a journalist because when I was young – even before I could read – I loved browsing through newspapers, especially the comics page. My mother would read them to me but one day stopped, telling me that she wouldn’t always be around and that I needed to learn to read for myself.

So I continued my love affair for the printed word by learning to read and now at the ripe old age of “27ish” (give or take a few decades), one of my annual New Year’s resolutions is to read a book per week. I truly have newspapers to thank for my love for the written word – whatever medium it’s in!

If you have a similar love affair, want to ensure our country’s democracy remains intact or perhaps, like me, both traits, then give some thought to becoming a subscriber.

If you are a current LebTown subscriber, I want to thank you for your support. 

If not yet a supporting member, please consider subscribing and helping us to continue to expand and improve our coverage for the news that matters to you.

James