Daily Leader readers, both in print and online:

Thank you for your comments and likes on my recent Mississippi Press Association honor. The response of congratulations from so many of you, be it in person, personal notes or social media posts over the past few days is overwhelming and much appreciated.

This honor from the Mississippi Press Association was for my efforts over the past two years to help reverse a Canadian newsprint tariff that would have crippled community newspapers across the country — Mississippi in particular, because one of the few remaining newsprint mills in the country is located in Grenada. After much work, by many across the country with each state’s Congressional delegation in Washington, we were successful with a reverse decision last August.

Community newspapers are such a vital part of every community not only here in Brookhaven and Lincoln County, but cities and towns across Mississippi as well as the country. A good local newspaper is the eyes and ears of a community —   sometimes the conscience of the community. A community’s soul is printed on its pages. A gathering place you might say where our history — our successes and failures are written for those who follow us in the years ahead to know from whence they came.

The one common denominator I have always found of every economically strong community is also a strong community newspaper. The strength of both comes from one place — the interest and support from local citizens.

It is a tough world out there these days for community newspapers. My hope is that each of you will continue to support ours here or the community you live.

Thanks again for the letters, comments and likes.

— Bill Jacobs