Our View: A letter from the publisher

Another year and another chapter comes to a close for our community, nation and world. Fittingly, much is to be celebrated during this time of year, and it's important to reach out to those very special people and organizations who make a difference in our lives.

Family and friends should always be at the top of any list, but for our newspaper group we also want to celebrate this special time of year by extending a warm gratitude of appreciation to all our constituents … readers, advertisers, colleagues, our armed forces, plus community and business leaders. You're very important, and on behalf of all Appeal-Democrat and Tri-County Newspapers associates, I want to say thank you.

As we usher in a new year, there are reasons for optimism. We continue to inch our way out of this stubborn recession, consumer confidence is improving and most leading economic indicators are pointing in the right direction. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but 2012 will most certainly be a year full of significant news and events. Before we know it, Americans will be entering voting booths to help chart our future. Envy to most in the world, we live in a democracy that provides everyone an opportunity to shape their personal lives, take responsibility, impact our communities and make a difference.

How do we play a part and what can you expect? The Appeal-Democrat is a media company dedicated to the core mission of best serving our readers and advertisers through a vibrant and growing platform of products and services. We aspire to inform and entertain while helping you save time and money. Whether through print or digital, we will be your local source for news and information. You can expect us to engage with you as well as host engagement among yourselves through a variety of social networking opportunities and evolving technologies.

What's new on the horizon in 2012? We plan on expanding the A-D's entertainment and lifestyle coverage with a premium website that will be your source for events, restaurants, movies, entertainment news, visitor information and things to do in the Yuba-Sutter area.

Also, look for the A-D to further develop its award-winning brand of multimedia journalism with "A-DTV" news webcasts.

There's more to come, but it has been said that we can't work fast enough to focus on relevant content and expand multimedia platforms where print, online, mobile, iPad and others each play to their strengths and interact … all factors shaping how information is consumed.

You can expect us to tell a story and report the news while educating and informing through an expanse of articles and editorials. Print is our franchise and a very powerful medium, but digital delivery systems continue to evolve and we plan on keeping pace. Technology has ushered in new methods of communicating and you can rely on us helping to lead the way in the communities we serve.

Brighter days are ahead and we're working toward this reality. I'm enthusiastic about our future, grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to becoming a new member of our expansive, diverse and vibrant community.

Best to you in 2012!

Larry Riley, Publisher,

Appeal-Democrat and

Tri-County Newspapers