- What are the most pressing challenges facing our community at a local level right now?
Midlothian’s strong economy, educational system and small-town charm have continued to attract a steady population growth over the past few years. Responding to the basic infrastructure needs continues to be a pressing challenge in multiple facets as we grow. From a healthcare standpoint, alongside this residential and commercial growth comes an increased demand on the healthcare resources in Ellis County. Access to healthcare services is critical during this growth period. Residents should be able to conveniently and confidently access services such as primary care, dental care, behavioral health, emergency care, and public health services. The opening of Methodist Midlothian in 2020 was a catalyst for future healthcare growth in northwest sector of Ellis County. In less than fours, we’ve already witnessed an influx of new health services arriving to the community. Additionally, our hometown hospital continues to expand to provide quality care for local residents. Alongside community leaders, medical providers and other regional partners, our team will continue to collaborate to respond to these increased healthcare demands and the overall community needs.
- Considering the evolving media landscape, what role do you see local newspapers playing in the community five years from now?
Local newspapers play a vital role in communities across the globe and serve as an essential conduit for local information. The digital age continues to change how people get their news and general information. National newspapers, 24-hour news broadcasters, social media, and syndicated news content keeps most of us up-to-the-minute on national and world events. However, most residents don’t know about what is going on in their own communities and/or about upcoming local events. A vibrant and healthy local newspaper can be a great connector and centralized medium for residents to learn about their community. Over the next five years, I hope our local newspaper will continue to evolve in the digital age and provide relevant local content for readers. Midlothian needs a local newspaper to serve as a trusted resource for those interested in keeping up with the latest happenings in town.
- In your opinion, what role should our newspaper play in promoting civic participation and community involvement?
Hometown newspapers should actively highlight important local issues and encourage residents to participate in civic life. Increasing civic participation can lead to better-informed citizens and active advocates for our community’s continued development. By combining print and social media avenues, local newspapers can be a great resource for residents looking for opportunities to be engaged or just staying up-to-date on the latest news. If done appropriately, local newspapers can also positively influence public discussions, influence local priorities and strengthen our community. With the appropriate resources, the Midlothian Mirror can easily shape itself to be centralized hub for information in town.
- What community events or activities do you believe our newspaper should cover to better connect with our residents?
Much of our community life revolves around local schools, community events, and activities. These are easy areas to focus on to create a sense of community pride. Overall, Midlothian residents want to see their local journalists connected and seeking relevant content that is applicable to our town. The choice of topics to cover can be daunting and there a large array of interests. However, the following topics may appeal to larger audiences and induce a sense of that “Midlothian pride”: local weather, local sports coverage, crime reports, celebrating local achievements, school district updates, traffic/transportation news, local politics & government, community events, arts/culture, and regular business features/updates.
- Considering the current economic landscape, how can our newspaper support local businesses and contribute to economic growth in the community?
Local newspapers can provide an affordable platform for business to advertise their products/services and reach potential customers. The Midlothian Mirror can also highlight success stories with the business sector on a regular basis. This feature could be accomplished with a partnership with the local Midlothian Chamber of Commerce or Downtown Business Association. A vibrant newspaper can also help shed light on challenges and opportunities for local businesses, which can lead to informed decision-making with the appropriate parties. All-in-all, an effective local newspaper will likely increase community pride. A proud community attracts investment, retains talents, fosters entrepreneurship and can contribute to the economic prosperity for Midlothian!
