Viva Voices

Recently I submitted an opinion piece to the Independent about a longtime visitor at the Central Coast Nursing Center being arrested for trespassing after reporting abuse to the state by this facility.

Then I found out the Independent phased out the guest article section called Voices, except online, where my article was published. Online articles probably get about one hundredth of the readership. It’s so easy to pick up a newspaper at the coffee house.

Losing the community forum in print is a tremendous loss to our community, and to this newspaper. Community leaders now have a harder time getting the word out on vital issues. People can contact the Independent at 965-5205 and ask it to be brought back. I would expect this action from another newspaper, but not by the Independent which reflects our community more than any other.