Every community needs a newspaper. Every newspaper needs a community.

I learned those basic thoughts as an 11-year-old paperboy while delivering a paper to almost every home in my neighborhood.

While I don’t deny the impact of technology (that’s the Internet, Twitter, Facebook, smart phones, tablets, etc.) on today’s news gathering organizations, I also don’t deny the important role the Brookhaven Daily Leader can play in the future of this wonderfully friendly community.

My wife, Barbara, and I have met many Brookhavenites since moving here more than a month ago. Each of you have been very supportive of us and offered great advice and help. Many of you have expressed a great interest in The Leader and how much you enjoy reading the newspaper daily. Thank you for your loyal readership. Please continue to read us, and by all means, encourage your friends and neighbors to do so.

As I said in the first sentence above, we need this community. And by that, I mean all of you. I encourage you to call, e-mail or drop by my office to discuss issues on your mind. You may also feel free to speak with any of our staff members.

If a newspaper needs the community, then the newspaper must serve the community. That’s where you can help! We want your ideas and solicit your readership each and everyday.

If you have story ideas, please tell us. We might have a small staff, but we have big ears. Let us know if your church or civic club is having a special event. If your child is getting engaged, married or makes the honor roll let us know that, too. Tell us if you are having a neighborhood event.

If we can’t attend, we may ask you to email us photos, including names and a brief narrative. We will include that in the paper and if you want, we will include your name as the contributor.

You can be confident that we will deliver the news about your government, schools, taxes or other watchdog responsibilities. But, I also want the Leader to a be fun source of information that helps you and your family live as best you can.

The more news you bring us, the more fun we can make your home-delivered Daily Leader. Your contributions will also help us make the web site www.dailyleader.com more dynamic and reflective of the community on a 24-7 basis.

The staff of The Daily Leader and I are serious about serving the community. You are invited to help us.

Every community needs its newspaper, and every newspaper needs its community.

Otis Raybon is the publisher of The Daily Leader. Contact him at otis.raybon@dailyleader.com or (601) 833-6961.