HomeTown News

Page 1

SPECIAL REPORT: SMITHS FALLS VOTES 2014

FREE Vol.1 No.1

October 2014

YO U R LO CA L , I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S PA P E R

Our Inaugural Issue

DAVE PRINGLE PHOTO

SABRINA BEDFORD s abr ina @ p d g me di a . c a

T

hank you for picking up and reading the first issue of HomeTown News – your local, independent newspaper. We’re excited to publish our inaugural print issue to complement our already flourishing online publication (www. discoversmithsfalls.ca). As we usher in a new era in Smiths Falls, please welcome and count on us for covering the topics that matter to you. This is an exciting time for all of us - not only us here at HomeTown News, but for everyone in Smiths Falls. Positive changes are happening all throughout

the town and we want to capture that. We’re very excited to be launching a brand new community newspaper, focusing on hyper-local and thought-provoking content. Our goal is to highlight the positive aspects of the community while also shedding light on issues that deserve attention. First, let me tell you a bit about who we are and what we do. First and foremost, we’re a local company run by local people. We believe in the power of community and know that, collectively, we have the power to make Smiths Falls as great as it can be. Discover Smiths Falls, our online publication, was designed to allow you to experience local culture, dining, lifestyle, activities, and all the greatness the town has to offer. For the last two years, we’ve

been a digital resource for local news, events and information, and we’re beyond thrilled to offer more in-depth content in print. Some of you may see this as a step backward, as evidence and experience shows that the world is turning almost completely digital. While it’s true the newspaper industry has undergone unparalleled changes, demand for local content has never been higher – especially in small towns where local content gets lost in the 24-hour news cycle of the Internet. Despite the changing landscape of media, studies show that people in rural communities still have a demand for local news, and the numbers show there are still over 1,000 community newspaper titles in Canada.

SEE COMMUNITY PAPER, PAGE 10

Smiths Falls Votes 2014

INSIDE: A COMPARATIVE LOOK AT ALL CANDIDATES The election is getting closer, but there’s still time to learn where the candidates stand on the issues that matter to you. HomeTown News asked every Smiths Falls candidate running in the 2014 municipal election to answer three standardized questions, and we compiled the information into a 4-page series called Smiths Falls Votes 2014. Our reporter, Amy Hogue, conducted the interviews and wrote the candidate profiles. As a newspaper, we aim to provide as much important and relevant information as possible, in an effort to ensure an informed electorate. The candidates tackle a variety of issues in each of their campaigns, and they all bring something different to the table. But it’s up to us, the voters, to make an informed decision and let politicians know what matters to us. That’s the purpose of the Votes series – to give readers one last-ditch, general overview of the foundational principles upon which the candidates base their campaigns. If you’re someone who participates in online dialogue regarding your Smiths Falls-related concerns, questions, comments and suggestions– Oct. 27 is when your voice can officially be heard. This is shaping up to be one of the most exciting elections the town has experienced in recent history. With a new mayor guaranteed, the focus has remained, unwaveringly, on the four candidates vying for the top spot. SEE PAGES 3 to 6 FOR THE SERIES

community

Lifestyle

C u lt u r e

If you’re a local food producer in the area, things just got a lot easier for you. A new facility will be dedicated to coordinating the collection and distribution of locally grown foods.

These two best friends don’t let anything get them down - including cancer. Read the inspiring story from France Murdoch and Sheila Coutts themselves.

See all of the Beatles Classics at the Gallipeau Centre Theatre right here in Smiths Falls. With a capacity of 850, it’s one of the largest theatre spaces in the area.

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

PAGE 14

S’ S E R AND • Groceries • Fresh Flowers • Fresh Fish • Produce • Fresh Deli • Bakery Andress’ cover banner

25 Ferrara Drive, Smiths Falls

283-2999 Pharmacy • 283-1855

• Butcher’s Counter • Salad Bar


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.