In covering the news, our focus is always turned outward, keeping track of and reporting on the goings-on in the community, as well as accommodating those who want to share their opinions on these very matters and others.

At this time, however, we’d like to take a bow and acknowledge the good people of Somerville who have expressed their appreciation of all our efforts on this, our 50th anniversary of service to the community.

Since its inception in 1968, The Somerville Times has changed hands several times and undergone many refinements in its look and format. The one sustaining thread throughout the years is the paper’s exclusive emphasis on local news and various issues of concern.

While other papers in the area turn their attention to regional matters – which is fine and good – we always choose to keep it local, making sure that residents of the city have a dedicated source for news that matters to them.

There is hardly a week that goes by when we don’t have someone dropping by the office to express their appreciation for what we do and thanking us for carrying on through the years. And we thank them back for being loyal readers.

This is why we are entrusted with individuals’ and institutions’ important publishing needs, such as obituaries, legal notices, etc. They know that we are accurate and on time, while others are not.

Of course, there are also those who may occasionally get rubbed the wrong way over an opinion piece that we run. But we always provide opportunities for rebuttal via online comments or letters to the Editor in the print edition. In our efforts to remain non-partisan and objective, this is an inviolable necessity.

It was George Orwell who said, “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations.” In a nation that values freedom of the press, it is important to stand up to the extremist views of despotic leaders and other individuals who would seek to silence us. Especially in light of the recent vitriol and threats heaped upon journalists by those who feel threatened by them.

We will never back down. We are here to proudly serve our community. We take this privileged responsibility seriously, and we thank you all for being here for us.