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Your recent column by Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers, was very important to encourage the public to support all local newspapers, but, of course, our own Stanly News and Press.

The headline was “Local news is good for business,” and while very true, I believe that local newspapers are even better for our community and our democracy.

It is so puzzling to hear some local folks say, well, there isn’t much for me in the paper so I’m not going to renew or purchase a new subscription.

Even though my husband and I don’t recognize many names in the paper personally, there is a lot to learn about this county by reading the articles, the advertising, sports and other sections.

There is much joy to share about personal stories of celebrations, and sadness to share about people’s lives hurt by tragedy.

How would people in Stanly know, fairly, about our local issues, our elections, our county commissioners, our local leaders, if we didn’t have SNAP?

SNAP is our market square for sharing the lives of the people of Stanly County.

Without SNAP we would be the poorer, both in our community and in our democracy.

Nancy Bryant
Norwood