As news reporter for the JagWire staff, I am constantly seeking out the big story.

I seek out the news and often try to tackle issues that are bigger than myself.

I was recently introduced to a local blog written by Shawnee man Ray Erlichman, who has an archive of blog posts about Shawnee happenings. My dad often emails me links to his web site.

Before even reading this blog, I knew it had to be good. My dad, who always tells me he gave up on politics a long time ago, makes time to read it.

I was encouraged to visit the site as I was thinking about some of the big issues I was writing about this month for the newspaper. I have tackled budget, program changes and controversies, but it is so easy to forget that what happens right here and right now in our community is what really matters.

What happens in the community now, impacts how I will picture my childhood home and how I remember my high school years. The events around me can potentially cross a thin line between great memories and bad memories.

Reading Erlichman’s blog made me realize that local issues are the issues that truly affect my life. After all, local issues are more likely to affect me in the future and they certainly impact me the most in the present.

Erlichman takes on big issues like local elections, in addition to reporting on local meetings and decisions. Erlichmanwrites in a way that informs the community.

“Most people are very apathetic about local issues,” Erlichman said via e-mail. “They get hung up on national and international issues (which are important) but ignore local issues. Yet, it is local government that affects 90% of our lives.”

I hope to begin my local news report with these thoughts. I want to cover the events that will affect people like your neighbors and your friends, in order to add any awareness to the community. I want to start my posts by featuring Erlichman’s blog: a model of which I will use to bring informed and also interesting commentary on local events and issues.

Local issues are what make America a true democracy.

Although my voice may only end up having a small impact on the happenings of Shawnee, I believe it is still important to express my opinions. I hope as I investigate the happenings of Shawnee and USD 232, I will keep this in mind and help keep our community updated on these issues.

Local issues, after all, are the issues which truly affect us every day.