Letter from the Editor
I am still here, and I am still with you, just not quite sure how yet.
This edition was a reminder that producing a community newspaper is about far more than writing stories. As editor, there are countless responsibilities that arrive each day. That has never discouraged me. There is always someone to help, a story waiting to be told, and work that needs to be done. It is a privilege to serve these communities, and every edition brings new opportunities to learn and grow.
Throughout the production of this issue, one comment stayed with me: “How lucky our local communities are to continue to have a newspaper.”
I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t believe it is simply luck.
Community newspapers exist because of the dedication, sacrifice, and determination of the people who refuse to let them disappear. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me—original owner Michael Jacobs, second owner Linda Belcourt, and current owner Brian Belcourt—whose commitment ensured this publication remained a trusted source of local news.
The reality is that print media is facing unprecedented challenges. Rising Canada Post distribution costs, the loss of commercial newspaper presses as facilities shift to magazine production or close altogether, and increasing operating and staffing costs have forced many community newspapers to shut their doors. Despite these challenges, our commitment remains unchanged.
We will continue.
This edition also includes coverage surrounding allegations connected to previous ownership. As editor, I have a responsibility to our readers, our community, and to everyone involved to remain fair, factual, and impartial. For that reason, this is the only place I will comment publicly.
My mother, Linda Belcourt, was deeply passionate about community journalism. She worked tirelessly to give residents of North Simcoe and Springwater a voice and believed strongly that local journalism should serve the public interest above all else. It is because of her dedication that this newspaper continues to reach more than 23,000 households throughout our communities. She believed in building relationships across the community, regardless of political views, and approached her work with the goal of informing residents and preserving the stories that matter.
Because Linda is no longer here to speak for herself, I would not feel it was fair to remain completely silent. While I remain committed to reporting fairly and without bias, I also believe it is important to acknowledge her character and the values she brought to this newspaper. Those who knew her knew her unwavering commitment to this community, and that legacy is one I intend to honour through the continued work of this publication.
As we move forward, my focus remains on the future of this newspaper and the communities it serves.
I can promise our readers this: local journalism will continue to have a place here. You deserve a trusted source of local news. You deserve to have your community’s history documented and preserved. You deserve a newspaper that asks questions, celebrates achievements, reports fairly, and remains committed to the people it serves.
Every edition is made possible by the support of our readers, advertisers, staff, contributors, volunteers, and community partners. Your participation reminds me why this work matters.
Thank you for continuing this journey with us. We remain committed to serving North Simcoe and Springwater with integrity, transparency, and a genuine love for the communities we are proud to call home.