As 2009 draws to a close I sat down, which is not something I have had the luxury of doing very often since my appointment as publisher in April, to look back on the many changes, challenges, successes and experiences our publications, and our community have had over the past year.

We have had the pleasure of producing the Strawberry Festival Guide in 2009, working with the wonderful kids and Mr. “P” at Marysville-Pilchuck High School’s DECA program, the Arlington School District on their newsletters, the Marysville School District on several school projects, Marysville Parks & Rec for Healthy Challenge Day, partnering with The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce and other local media for the Buy Local campaign, supporting and working with the 2009 East Sound Navy Ball Committee on their 234th Birthday celebration, the Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce, DABA and the Arlington Fly-In for the Arlington Festival and numerous other community events.

We’ve definitely been busy and in the eight months since I arrived, we have had several obvious physical changes to the publications and the distribution of them. We have new faces, new and wider distribution and a new look both in print and online. We have tried hard to reposition ourselves as “The Newspapers at the Heart & Soul of Our Communities” and continue to work toward that objective every day. I am so pleased with and thank our communities very much for their response and loyalty to The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times in 2009, we could not have asked for a better outcome to all of our changes that we have made to improve our product and to give our communities the best possible coverage, distribution and for our businesses, return on their investment with us.

I have to give credit where credit is due. The success of The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times comes from a good, no make that GREAT group of dedicated, hardworking individuals who combine their efforts and make our products successful. While they do not look for kudos or praise I would like to thank each of them for making 2009 a success. Scott Frank, Adam Rudnick, Travis Shearer, Kirk Boxleitner, Ray Colvin, Fran Hartnett, Teri Lemke, Manny Rabel, Eda Teodoro, Pamela Harding and Susan Bonasera … thank you for your dedication and hard work in 2009.

Our communities have had many changes, challenges and successes as well. While we have laughed and celebrated together we have also cried and grieved together. The events in 2009 that have unfolded have made us, I believe, a stronger and closer community with a very optimistic outlook for our future and a strong network of support. As our communities continue, in 2010, to grow, expand and face new challenges I am confident that we will face them with increased support from each other and will find our way out of the economic challenges we, as a community, have faced in 2009. No matter what 2010 holds for Marysville and Arlington, know that The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times will be there to bring our local community news to you in print weekly or online 24/7.

Thank you for a great 2009 and looking forward to 2010. Happy New Year Marysville and Arlington!

DeAnna Emborski, Publisher

The Marysville Globe & The Arlington Times