Editorial: National Newspaper Week is Oct. 6-12

Every year, newspapers across the country remind readers of how important they are to a free society. And, it’s that time of year. Oct. 6-12 is National Newspaper Week.
The city of Belleville and surrounding townships have had many different newspapers over the years. The oldest is the Belleville Enterprise at 139 years that now has devolved from the glory it once had to a two- or three-page posting on the internet covering seven communities and called The Eagle. It doesn’t work because the legals posted on those pitiful few “pages” aren’t in line with current Michigan law because they aren’t posted in the statewide site required.
Four or five other papers were published in Belleville over the years, but the only one that has survived is the Belleville-Area Independent which serves you today.
A local newspaper brings a sense of community to an area, since people can be aware of what their local governments are doing, who died, who is up for election, what events are going on and, most of all, what businesses are serving them.
We cover the governmental meetings to let you know how your tax money is being spent, so you can object if you like. We have trouble covering Sumpter Township, but do the best we can via its video of the meetings, that lately is taking two weeks or so to post.
Let’s celebrate the upcoming National Newspaper Week.