We were still finding our way through the maze of offices at the state Capitol, learning names, shaking hands, a little bit scared, a whole lot turned on to the job before us. How easily I remember our inaugural day, March 1, 2010.
And what an all-aboard, hold-your-breath ride it's been for Sunshine State News since then. It's a busy corner where you and I live, at the intersection of business, government and politics
It's tempting to reflect out loud on our rising reader numbers over the last three years. Or the stories from a conservative perspective that we wrote and nobody else did. Or the positive feedback from thousands of people who have added Sunshine State News to their Internet "favorites"
But I want to resist that temptation. I just want to give you, our readers, a big THANK YOU for taking time out of your busy days and nights to check us out.
Thank you for sharing your love of our stories with friends and family members on social media sites (where our stories spread exponentially), for sending us story tips and constructively engaging with one another in the comments and even for occasionally emailing (politely) when you notice a fact we missed or messed up.
Because of you, we get paid to do what we love fill a gaping hole in the mainstream-media coverage of state government. We are the only news organization in Florida whose editors believe free-market, less-government solutions will prove successful in addressing the problems challenging our state.
Your encouragement and appreciation for what we do even on our less-than-stellar days is what gives us the will to keep getting better.
The life of Florida government is a long journey. We want to continue to make it a trip of real discovery for you.
As I said in a column on our inaugural day, if you like what we're doing, please tell your friends; if we disappoint, please tell us. We listen to our readers, I promise. You really are the best.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
