I’m really hoping that, with the change of editors at the Bothell Reporter, we don’t see a slide into the mainstream media mode.

Yes, focusing on the bad things does create more interest in the paper and you can then sell more advertising space that way. But catering to the rubbernecking urge in all of us, begins to separate us from being a community that cares about each other, and begins the slide down to one that is afraid of each other.

Yes, bad things do happen out there and are a part of every community. We just don’t need to have all those bad things pointed out to us on a regular basis, unless it’s something we need to know to be safe.

I’m also not suggesting painting a warm and fluffy picture every day about all the good things there are here either. That wouldn’t be real. I’m just hoping we keep the balance leaning toward the positive side of our progress toward an even better place to live.

Please don’t go down the mainstream media path.

Kelly Clark, Bothell