9 | durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, December 15, 2023 | Dear Reader, We have come through another year filled with both challenges and triumphs. It is reassuring that no matter what the news brings, you trust us to bring you journalism that seeks truth. These are challenging days in the news business, a time when many communities across Canada have become media deserts, with no legitimate news outlet to perform the important tasks so vital to a free and democratic society. By choosing to support local journalism, you are helping ensure that does not happen here. So, thank you. We appreciate that you have 'our back' in the same way we always have the backs of our readers. As we look towards 2023, we will continue to bring value and interest to our readers. Thank you for reading our product, patronizing our advertisers' businesses and for supporting local journalism. We could not do it without you. You can stay connected online with access to more than 70 community newspapers across Ontario. Join us at communityepaper.com or call 1-833-440-7474. Sincerely, Neil Oliver Mike Lacey Publisher and CEO Managing Editor