It’s four days into 2006. Few among us are still nursing hangovers (ouch). Many among us have resolutions that have already gone by the wayside and for the most part, very little has changed since five days ago — you know, 2005 i.e. “last year.” While 2006 is a brand new year, the North Kitsap Herald doesn’t intend to alter much. Rather, our New Year’s resolution will be the same as it has been for more than a century: we will continue to provide our readers the finest local news around.

That’s our commitment to you.

I ran into Muriel Williams, granddaughter of Herald founder Peter Iverson, Dec. 30.

“Do you realize that on Feb. 1 (2006) my grandfather’s paper will be turning 105?” she asked. “I don’t think he ever thought it would last this long.”

Muriel went on to mention that many small community papers don’t have much staying power, and typically fold things up after 25-50 years.

“I’m sure we’ll be around another 105,” I said, knowing that neither she nor I would be. The thought of the Herald’s longevity brought a smile to my face and I imagined Iverson’s great-great-granddaughter telling a distant editor that the paper would be turning 210 in about a month’s time.

I’d like to take some sort of credit for this paper’s good standing and the fact that it is the only paper anywhere that features only North Kitsap news on a twice weekly basis but that’d be pretty ridiculous of me. I know I’m part of something bigger here. Much bigger. The community. Despite being around so long, the Herald’s tenure in North Kitsap isn’t something I take for granted. And as we resolve to continue our commitment to North Kitsap in 2006, we’d once again like to thank our readers and advertisers for their support. Without you, there is no future for us.

Our deepest appreciation and the happiest of new years,

JOE IRWIN

Editor