During the past few weeks, I have been approached by several readers and friends asking me about the content that has been published in the Mesquite Local News.

I recall one of them suggesting that we were favoring a specific group in town, like it was a bad thing.

I suppose that the assumption or conclusion they had come to was justifiable. But it wasn’t correct.

The one constant mission that the MLN has always had was to provide you, the readers, with local news. Community events, business updates, and government happenings have flooded our pages for years.

While reporters or other writers were usually responsible for supplying the content, times have changed.

Nowadays, press releases and emails are the way to go. It saves time, money and still has the same outcome: getting the word out.

And that’s how it happens. Those businesses, groups and individuals that send in a press release with enough time before publication are generally included in the applicable publication.

There is no discrimination. There is no opting out of accepting these news bits from the community. It is all welcomed, from whoever it comes from. It’s community news.

So, if you agree with these readers who have labeled us as a paper that favors one side instead of another, ask that other side if they have sent any information to us lately. Chances are, they haven’t, and that is why it’s not in the MLN.

This is nothing new; I have been pulling hair for the last four years, trying to get the community groups, businesses and the rest to do what is ultimately best for everyone – send in a press release! If we don’t know about it, we can’t print it, and we sure can’t cover it.

Don’t assume that putting a sign up or telling a few friends will work wonders and get you the response that you want… make sure you are getting the word out in every possible way: E-mails, Facebook, press releases to the media (all of them) and tell your friends and family… It just makes sense.

So, we at the MLN will continue to do our best with what we are given. If that means publishing ten stories from one group because they are the only ones sending anything in, then so be it. That’s just how the cookie crumbles sometimes.

If you want a change, be part of it. Send your press releases at least a week in advance to steph.bbm@gmail.com . If it’s an event, we’ll put it in the calendar and post it online immediately, and in print when it gets closer. If the resources are available, we may also cover the event, again, giving more publicity.

Don’t know how to write a press release? It’s simple: write a letter about what is going on, including all pertinent information; who, what, when, why and how. Still need more information on how the MLN can work for you? Send in an email or give us a call. We are here to help you!