Opinion : A reluctant record

We've measure our success at Vinton Today, in part, by the number of page views we record in a day.

Our average weekly page views have been gradually increasing, to more than 15,000 per week.

But yesterday, we set a record of more than 5,300 page views.

However, I know that a large reason for that is the tragic death of former Vinton resident Lynn Fraker.

I find it troubling that our "success" comes at such a high price.

But one of the things I love about journalism is the ability to share ideas and feelings about the news stories with the people who help write them. Not always, but often, in my career in journalism, I have had people I could talk to about stories and how to think, and feel about them.

Our friendship and association with the people at Monkeytown gives us that opportunity.

"I wish we could set a record with good news," I said to Kurt Karr this morning.

"Me too," he replied. "But look at it this way: Vinton Today brings the community together by sharing with people what is happening, good and bad. You are performing an important service."

He is absolutely right.

That's what we do. We bring you the news, good and bad, hoping that it lets you be more a part of our community.

But I would still very much rather set a record by having Vinton Today readers looking at stories about something happy.

Reader Comments:

You are absolutely right. It is unfortunate that bad news drives high readership more than something pleasant. Lynn will be missed by so many. What a tragic ending to a beautiful and worthwhile woman.