As a Valley resident for nearly 50 years and broadcaster for 30 of those, it was refreshing to read Mr. Cruikshank’s column about the passing of Valley TV icon Bill Thompson, aka Wallace.

What made it refreshing was that the column contained something that all other reports I have read and seen were lacking.

That “something” was that it was written by someone who lived the Wallace and Ladmo show as a kid.

When it comes to stories about local people that have been such a cornerstone of our community and its history, to have a publisher who was there to experience the events and bring that local quality element to the story is priceless (this also applies to politics, sports and weather).

Watching local reports about Wallace’s passing gave me a shallow, empty feeling. It was as if I was seeing a network report being read by someone from out of state. It was sterile.

Sadly, local media decision makers fail to see the value of having life-experienced, local reporters and anchors who have the knowledge of the community in which they work, so that they can:

1. Bring that expertise to the story they are reporting on.

2. Teach and mentor the newbies and out-of-state reporters the history of the community in which they now are to report on.

Thanks again Mr. Cruikshank for bringing that “something” to your column. It is appreciated and valued by many.