"Please save our Peoria Journal Star...It is the pulse of our tri-county area. We need to keep it a local paper...it is a vital part of the cement that holds our community together. The news,good or bad, the local events, articles of human interest for example all of the fund raisers that central Illinoians contributes to so generously can be attributed to the newspaper getting the word out and the people involved and working together for a common cause. We need local news reporters who feel the heartbeat of our cities to do the reporting to stay on top of civic and public investigative articles. Our businesses also depend on you, the PJSTAR. With unemployment high right now...we need to stay on top of the news, even cassified ads and realestate sections to help us through this. MOST OF ALL SAVE THE PERSONAL ADS!!!!"

"Great Web site! Great newspaper! Great cause! I'm delighted to see so many people standing up for the preservation of the Journal Star. "

"I am a veteran print journalist and union member now managing my own online news site at http://www.YourArlington.com/joomla. Despite my current focus, I remain a reader of paper news, particularly local news, and I support all efforts to keep local news alive fro smaller communities."

"New Owners of the Journal Star have absolutely destroyed the newspapers reputation."

"Don't go. stoopid nigger"

"The Journal Star is important to the Peoria Area because it is one of our links to the world, nation, state, and area. I begin my day by reading The Journal Star. When I am looking for what is happening around the area I turn to The Journal Star. I count on The Journal Star and its reporters and critics to help us to accomplish our mission at the Peoria Historical Society which is to "preserve and celebrate Peoria Story"."

"CWA District 4 stands with you in this important fight!"

"The Journal Start continues to support itself from all accounts. It is very unfortunate that the current ownership is burdened with many financially non-producing papers. The quality of life in Peoria depends on communications and the older generation still prefers their morning newspaper."

"Eithne'kai McKenna For all the information on Dagorhir, please see the Dagorhir website. There you'll find all the information you need if you are brand new to the sport. It has all the rules and qualifications for the equipment. I will also hand out copies to each member of our chapter upon recognition. The phone number to reach me at is: 1-309-274-2319 "

"I still read The Journal Star, my hometown paper, online! "

"The arts community is so very appreciate of the coverage and support that the PJS has given to the arts in general and more specifically to the community theatres in this area. The pre-view articles, the reviews, the notices of auditions have come to be an expected part of the PJS coverage. For the sake of our audience base and our theatre membership, please let this support continue. "

"The PJ Star has always been an awsome source of information! I have a neice & nephew that are autisic and it is wonderful to have the star report on what the Easter Seals is doing. Keeping the community informed of whats going on, avalible services, & what has happened is so important. Save the Star!"

"The Journal Star has always been in the forefront of local news and Peoria people want it to stay that way. We have a long tradition of organized labor here and will fight to keep the unionized staff the paper has. If a new owner wants to make money and keep circulation, the best way is to keep the staff on the paper now. They are Peoria - they know Peoria - they care about providing accurate and current news for this area. The staff does in-depth reporting about issues critical to this area. In fact, the paper and its staff have won numerous awards for its reporting, photos, commentary and editorial content. We want to keep the Journal Star producing local coverage in the same excellent manner it has been for well over 100 years - and we want the unions respected and appreciated for what they do - provide a living wage and benefits, exactly what the Peoria area needs to keep its "head above water" in these economically-challenging times. Thank you for your consideration. Shari Royer "

"I am a current customer of the Journal Star and would hate to see it change any of the ways the reporting is being done now. I have not been a customer for very long, however, I realy like the way the news is being reported and do not want to see the news cut in anyway for advertisement reasons. Please don't change the way the news is being reported in this News Paper."

" After working for a publicly traded newspaper in the past..i have seen first hand how they they downside for corporate greed. I whole heartily agree if a irresponsible owner does come in and buy the PJS... local news coverage will suffer greatly."

"I have been reading the Journal Star about 40 yrs now, since I was in grade school. Please do not allow it to be sold and changed into some sort of fluff paper with no substance and impartiality. I rarely watch TV, but I read the paper every day. I will do without a lot of things, but not the Journal Star. I just hope it is able to retain the integrity and fairness I have come to trust."

"I start out each & everyday with the Journal Star. It is a great paper that covers the national scene very well but more importantly covers the local issues even better. I love the current layout of the paper and look forward to each and every column. When we travel we often try to find a local paper to keep up with the news. I've found there are few newspapers that can compare to the quality of the Peoria Journal Star. I truly hope the new owner/owners will realize the Peoria Journal Star is a tradition in a area that is very big on traditions! "

"I enjoy the Journal Star and would hate for it to be no more. Please lets keep it local and support our troubled community."

"The Journal Star has been the history, the voice, and often the conscience of citizens of Central Illinois. Preserve its news integrity."

"Please dont let the Journal Star disappear!There are many of us who choose not to pay to watch cable television and rely on the newspaper for our source of local news and events. "

"When the Journal Star is eventually bought, i hope the new owner makes no changes to the format or staff, as the paper is just fine the way it is and should not be a victim of pure greed by whomever steps up to buy the paper."

"Do Not Sell!!! We love PJSTAR and need no outside help. "

"As a long time reader of the paper, I would like to see the quality of the paper continue in its current format. While I don't subscribe, I buy it off the news stands still."

"I love the Journal Star because I'm too much of an idiot to read a paper that is any good. But I do wish they would have more gay interest articles. The PJSTAR is the only paper that gets to the heart of the issue. "

"Angelique Mctyre Information Phone: 309-453-9707 Independent Author and Publisher of Self-Help and Self-Improvement books. Books are written to provide simple direction to readers for the purpose of finding personal happiness and success. "

"I look to the Journal Star as a source of information and informed opinion on a wide range of central Illinois issues. I can get depth of coverage in this publication that I can't get by just looking at news programming on television. As a person who is hearing-impaired, I feel I better understand an issue if I can read about it than I can if I have to try to listen to it. I urge the current owners--if they feel they must sell the paper--to find a buyer that will maintain the Journal Star's reputation for integrity. I like the paper so much that I subscribe to it by the year."

"the journal star has always been there and was a mainstay as a child and growing up. My husband reads it everyday. peoria wouldn't be the same without the Journal star and it the way it gives the city and the surrounding area the information and news we need to know. Keep the paper the way it way it always has been. "

"The Journal Star has never been better--don't change it or sell it to someone who will!"

"I look forward to the local section of the daily paper, as well as the arts section - which describes in detail what is going on in the Peoria area (and even in Macomb). I go to the on-line version when I'm looking for something in the archives. I hope a buyer who is interested in the good of the community readership purchases the paper, while keeping the current PJStar employees."

"Please keep the newpaper out of the hands of a "big box" owner. We charish the identity the Journal Star has with our community."

"My 13yr old son and me agree that the Journal Star can be buyed by someboedy else, but it will belong to the comunity as a hole. We as consumers decide if i are going to purchase an thing, and if the new byers decide to report for the short term profit, then i as a town will think that we do not want to go on suporting such thing. Yes that means i may loose a long runing paper that reports what we as a town beleve and support, but it means people in our town will loose their works, that we cant trust what is in the paper, we as a group will stop support. I believe peeple Beware, we are a group of peeple that will not want for meenest to employees life, and not worth our trust for the sake of a dollar in your pocket. We as a town think as fair and acurate reporting and make sure the journalists that we trust and beleive. "

"The Peoria Journal Star's commitment to Central Illinois is what sets it apart from other newspapers covering communities of similar size. It would be a travesty for the Greater Peoria area to lose what so many have spent their lives to build through poor stewardship."

" Peoria born and raised. Extended family living and working in Peoria. Artist/musician and owner of a Bloomington Gallery (Eaton Gallery) and trombone player in a local jazz band (Jazzchocolat). We feel the arts are a very important quality of life issue for those of us who live, work, and play in Central Illinois. Local papers must have a strong arts section for listing, covering and reviewing local shows and performances. We want our children and our community to be well rounded in their education and the arts so we should also expect the same from our writers, news reporters and papers. Herb Eaton=artist/musician Pamala Eaton=educator www.eatonstudiogallery.com"

"The Peoria Journal Star is a top notch way to get all the information of news and happenings in central Illinois and all over. It should stay the way central Illinois has relied on it for years."

"I have been a long time subscriber to both the Journal Star and the Pekin Daily Times. When the Times changed hands several years ago and Dave Simpson left the paper, it went right in the crapper. I would hate to see that happen to the Journal Star."

" me thinks the paper should be lot beter if sold to anybody "

"I read the JS everyday. If sold, if subject changed from local to otherwise, I would not hesitate to drop subscription immediately! Keep it local."

"I don't want to imagine life without the Journal Star. I have started every day with reading it and have been a subscriber for more that 30 years. Please keep our paper local. We need to keep informed more than ever! Even though I have a computer at home, not everyone does. A city our size should have a paper! "

"I subscribe to the Journal Star to get local news and local news only! I get national and international new on-line and from NPR. The heart and soul of the paper is the news department. Without a strong local news staff covering local stories the Journal Star will no longer be needed in my home."

"As a faithful reader of the Peoria Journal Star for many years, morning is incomplete without my newspaper at my door. Before retiring, I shared my favorite newspaper with my students through the NIE program. My year long stock project depended on having that business section! After retiring, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to share information about the Journal Star with groups I lead on tours of the newspaper's facility. When I travel, pjstar.com keeps me abreast of the happenings in my hometown. The Journal Star is a paper with strong local roots that provides incomparable coverage of news and events in its circulation area. The employees producing the paper do an exemplary job. David Copley's willingness to allow the Peoria management and editors to do their work in a manner which has kept the newspaper a vital part of the community is much appreciated. Now that he is choosing a buyer for the Journal, he must be aware of the dramatic impact his choice will have on the Peoria area. It is critical he select a responsible buyer that will never compromise the journalistic integrity of the Journal Star in the pursuit of profit."

"Please keep ownership local--so important for this community."

"Keep the PJ Star local. We need a strong local paper and we have a 150 year tradition with the Journal Star."

"Local news is the most important thing a local newspaper like the Journal Star can provide and in the 14+ years I have subscribed to and read the PJS, it has done a good job of doing that under both local ownership and the Copleys'. I hope that as you find a buyer for the paper that you will do whatever you can to ensure that the new owner(s) will continue the proud journalistic tradition of both the Copley Press and the Journal Star so that the people of Central Illinois will be well served."

"I would like to add my name to your list to keep the Peoria Journal Star a strong local paper. "

"Since I moved to Peoria in 2003, I have used the Journal Star to keep me up to date on local as well as national news and I hope it continues."

"PJStar has been an excellent source for announcing and supporting Arts Events in Central Illinois. Not only those arts group that have a promotion budget, but the many art and music groups who have no or limited budgets for promotions. Gary Panetta has worked hard with many art groups to inform the community of "what's happening" exhibits, recitals, concerts, performance, and who is doing what. Both small and large organizations and groups. As a daily subscriber to the Journal Star, my husband and I would be totally lost without the paper with all the local news. News itself can be gotten from the internet, radio, television, but not all the information that we obtain from our local paper. There are many times friends and students ask how we knew something and the answer is "we read it in the Journal Star!" I'm a lover of the arts and he's a lover of sports. We both are able to keep up on what's happening in both with the local coverage. "

"The Peoria Journal Star is the only medium in the Central Illinois area that has the resources to develop indepth coverage of an issue. It is also one of the few media outlets that can be preserved, in its entirety for future generations. As this paper is sold, please remember that the owners have a duty to be a part of the community, not just use this paper as a way to squeeze out a few more pennies of profit."

"If the paper must be sold, I hope that the new owners will continue to produce a newspaper that Peoria and the surrounding area can be proud of. "

"It is essential that the JOURNAL STAR continues the quality journalism and comprehensive local area reporting that has been its long tradition. As a volunteer with a local environmental group, I can say that the area governmental coverage, science and environment stories, and consistent reporting on local issues is of utmost importance for the efforts that we make. This newspaper should only be sold to a responsible buyer who ensures that close community ties and community base continue for the JOURNAL STAR, and that it have the resources needed to continue its extensive local news coverage. "

"Please keep the Journal Star local. We want to keep our paper as it has been a very good newspaper that provides quality local/National news to our community, this is crucial and the citizens rely on it. Thank You! Laura Trimble"

"The Peoria Journal Star is an important part of the cultural life of the Peoria area. Not only does it cover national news in more depth than TV or many online services, it gives all sorts of local news not available anywhere else. But, most importantly, it performs an absolutely vital role in the coverage of music, theatre, and art offerings in the central Illinois area."

"As a faithful reader of the Journal Star, I am writing to ask that you please give careful consideration to how this sale will impact our community. Please keep the paper as it is today, with the amount of local coverage, state coverage, national coverage, sports, arts, etc....it is a paper unsurpassed by none, and I hope that it will stay what it is today, a GREAT paper! "

"A democracy is only as strong as the people, and the people are only strong if they are well informed. The quality of that information is determined by the local media, especially the local newspaper. We need well paid and well educated reporters. I urge whoever purchases the JS to maintain and work to improve the high quality that exists now. "

"Keep our paper local!"

"Good communities have good newspapers that report substantively, challenge convention and inspire to do better. This sort of coverage and analysis doesn't come cheap, but is a worthy investment. "

"I am pleased to add my name to the Save the Journal Star petition to the current owners and potential buyers. Although I do not always agree with individual writers and editorials, I believe the PJS attempts to listen to the many different sides of an issue and hires qualified staff to deliver the news and opinions in a professional manner. We need a professional paper that places an emphasis on Central Illinois and the issues and concerns of people in our area."

"I am a Saturday/Sunday subscriber."

"The Journal Star provides the only coverage of the local classical music performance scene."

"I've worked for the Journal star for the past 13 years and have been proud to tell anyone where I work. I would hate for the quality of the local news coverage as well as the overall quality of reporting to suffer because of budget cuts a new owner thinks are necessary. I truly hope that Mr. Copley will do the right thing when choosing the buyer for our organization as his family did when they took ownership of our paper in 1996. They let our company remain virtually as it was when they purchased us along with making vast improvements by allowing us to purchase the new press. I strongly support our reporting staff and admire their efforts in bringing interesting as well as accurate reporting. That is something you can't put a price on!"

"We rely on the Peoria Journal Star for coverage of our dance concerts which are held at Illinois Central College (ICC) where the company is in residence. Through ICC, ads are placed for our concerts. We appreciate the advance story in the Sunday Arts section and the revue that is normally given to our concerts. The Peoria Journal Star is a vital link in getting the arts to the people of central Illinois."

"Without the local press, the community will become dislocated with itself. The newspaper connects the community, not only with the arts, but with all aspects of our society."

"These newspapers must be saved."

"For seventeen years the Journal Star has been a great provider for me and my family. It's been because of the loyal readers in the community and the great staff that provides the news for it."

"I have been a Journal Star reader & subscriber all of my adult life, I am in my 70's. PLEASE do NOT allow OUR paper to be STOLEN!!! THANK YOU !!"

"The three years I spent working at the Journal Star were the most important of my career. Not a day goes by that I don't incorporate something of what I learned there into my present job. I consider myself honored to have worked with the people that I did, and hope the community rallies to preserve this important news organization."

"What a luxury! What a deal! As soon as it hits my porch in the early morning hours, the PJS begins my day. In a sense, the PJS provides comfort and order not only to my day but to my world as a Peorian. Coffee and PJS...what comfort! Reading the PJS has become part of my life, as it draws us together as a community and contributes to our quality of life on several levels. Most importantly, the PJS provides a national profile of the Peoria area. As an incurable news "junkie," I admit that after a vacation, I look forward to reading the PJS for an update on the events taking place during my absence. While commercial and cable television channels offer abbreviated and repetitive views of news stories, the PJS staff directs my attention to newsworthy reports and useful human interest articles that come to my doorstep each day. What a deal! Retaining the PJS as we know it is imperative. Let's not take the PJS for granted. What a luxury! Let's keep the PJS viable in making our connections stronger. "

"I have been taking the paper since 1977 and want it to stay like it is. Local ownership may be fine but when I read that David Ransburg may be interested in forming a group I was leery. I wouldn't want him to have too much control over day to day operations and editorials"

"You are all fighting for nothing less than saving democracy which can only exist alongside a legitimately free press-thank you for your sacrifices and your struggles. Silvia Barden"

" I have read the Journal Star in the 16 years I have lived in Peoria. I feel it is a good newspaper, and I would hate to have any new owner impose their views on, or change the independence of, the newsroom."

"I wish everyone the best of luck and support your efforts. Stay strong and united."

"It has been said that Peoria is a small city with "big city" aspirations. Peorians want as much culture and fine arts as they can attract. My experience of many years as a volunteer helping to promote fine arts events - opera, music, fine visual arts of all types and ballet has taught me how very dependant we are on the full coverage given the Paper by first Jerry Klein and then Theo Jean Kenyon and Gary Panetta. Without their informed coverage these cultural events would fail! How could a community the size of Peoria afford to maintain a "culture" without these reporters?!"

"Stay strong through this ordeal. We can only hope the paper goes back to family ownership - where the news comes first instead of dollars and cents."

"Despite the ever-growing presence of "omnimedia," local newspapers can still be a driving force in their community. No big media company will ever capture the pulse and latest events that happen in a smaller community, and nobody knows their town like the residents. Keep local newspapers thriving, and the community thrives with it."

"As a retired Newspaper Guild member I urge the readers of The Star Journal to take an active interest in the future of their newspaper. While I respect the right of a business owner to sell his business I also believe that owner should take responsibility to put the good of employees and customers in the total picture. Who do you want reporting the news of your town? Research what is happening in the news media industry and decide what guarantee you have to get the most accurate news possible. This won’t wait. Everyone needs to work for professional reporting."

"We have subscribed to and read the Journal Star consistently for the last 46 years since we moved to Peoria. We are used to excellent and extensive local coverage of the news and will only support a newspaper which continues that tradition."

" The enormous value of the arts in this community cannot be told. But the Peoria Journal Star cums pretty close. At the Peoria Art Guild, we are deeply grateful for the coverage we have recieved for our classes, events and exhibits. We are pretty proud that four of the 2006 top ten Arts Events were produced by the Guild. It is our sincere hope that upcoming changes will improve the Journal Star. Artwork needs veiwers, music needs listners, theater needs audeinces. The community needs economic benefits the arts so abundantly bring. And we all need the Journal Star to remain as our advocate. Signed by the Peoria Art Guild Board of Directors and Staff Kim Armstrong Robert Baer Michael Bork Elsburgh Clark Sheryl Cohen Eyrnn Dykstra Glen Fauntleroy Sarah Glover Pam Hall Lisa Hoerr-Grandstaff Ann Hunzeker Beth Jensen Pam Johnson George Kottemann Bill Lawrence Churphena Reid-Lcokhart Channy Lyons Lindsey Ma Mary Beth Nebel Jeff Palmer Cyrstal Radee Sandra McKenzie Schmitt Kathy Traina Al Ziegler Rich Zuckerman Liza Decoteau Bonnie Hermann-Rose Jacob Grant Kathy Hunt Gabe Johnson Kristi Wickwire "

"Strong newspaper journalism is vital to democracy. Keep the JS, the largest downstate daily, strong by supporting its workers and their unions, which provide vital financial security for them and their families. "

"Do not silence the personal voices of the city and it's people. The Peoria Journal Star is just that-Peoria's. Every writer, columnist, photographer, etc. is the pulse of the paper. And each subscriber, by choice , sustains the heartbeat."

"I wish you all luck and hope that your fine newspaper prevails!"

"Selling the newspaper, changing the format, downsizing the contents and many more things can erode a good newspaper. We are loosing freedoms everyday and loosing the control of freedom of the press by some noncaring owner scares me. "

" I support your efforts. Viva la causa! (Give Bill Knight my regards. Lea"

"The Journal Star must continue its excellent coverage of arts events in the Peoria region. The feature stories and reviews written by Gary Panetta,Theo Kenyon, and other staff members are vital to the artistic and cultural life of this community. Without them, the many excellent events occurring here will lose members and audiences. Likewise, the Journal Star will lose subscribers. The newspaper and the arts/cultural groups must continue their current close collaboration. It is this collaboration that helps to make Peoria a city where people want to live. "

"Fight hard! Stephen E. Brown managing editor Chicago Daily Law Bulletin "

"Don't put dollars ahead of sense!"

"I do hope that the Journal Star will continue to cover the local art scene...this community is so fortunate to have many opportunities for theatre, music, dance, etc...and these non-for-profits need the support it gets from the local newspaper. Thank you, Connie Sinn community volunteer"

"Preserve Freedom of the Press"

"I'm sorry to hear the PJS is up for sale! It is definitely a community paper and I hope it continues as such. I am particularly concerned about the arts section. Arts in Peoria is such an important part of life here and the PJS did a great job of promoting the arts. I always looked to the arts section for things to do that would broaden the interests of my 4 children. I enjoyed reading reviews of local plays and other events and I hope that continues with the new owner. Also, my children like to draw pictures and have them included in the Kids JS on Monday so I hope that continues as well. It certainly encourages my children to read the newspaper. Thank you, Susan Canty"

"Beyond the obvious news function, the Journal Star serves to both inform strangers and remind natives about the quality of life in central Illinois, giving the former reasons to come and the latter reasons to stay. The inherent struggle of the local arts organizations would be a hopeless battle without the in-depth coverage of the Journal Star. Please do all you can to maintain this vital service. "

"The coverage of the fine arts by the Peoria Journal Star is outstanding. We would not want to see this coverage change with new ownership."

"The Journal Star is a good paper in central Illinois -- and needs to stay that way. I would hate to see its coverage and quality suffer from cutbacks."

"It is important to keep our local news in the newspapers, so I hope that will be one of your main concerns you will practice when you purchase the business."

"As Vice President of Opera Illinois and President of Tazwood Dance Company (in residence at Illinois Central College)I strongly urge you to make the Arts a priority! The arts are what attracts the creative class to this community. The arts help make our community viable and competitive with other markets. And the arts cannot survive without news coverage and publicity in our leading print publication. "

"Please continue supporting and informing the Tri-County area of ALL artistic expressions and their availability to the community. The Journal Star is many a person's window to what there is to do and where to go to find it in our community. With new owners and a fresh start, the Journal Star has a golden opportunity to set the standard for exposing the local public to culture and the arts and to be known for promoting it's staure at the same time. Give it your best."

"RE the sale of the Peoria Journal Star, I can tell you how much positive effect the PJS' coverage of local arts events has on Galesburg and our neighboring communities. In particular, the KGS has enjoyed a strong partnership with your newspaper in promoting events that benefit our locale as well as those from Peoria and its surrounding communities who enjoy our efforts. In addition, we have a strong number of members of the Peoria at large community who are musicians within our orchestra. In sum, support of KGS and other local arts organizations benefits much of west-central Illinois; and it has been the PJS that has played a significant role in developing and maintaining such an important window of recognition."

"seller beware. This is about more than just the almighty dollar. "

"I am a 50 year old subscriber who has enjoyed the Journal Star for most of those 50 years. I now live in rural Manito and the Journal Star helps keep me in the loop with happenings in my home town of Peoria. I like the paper. I don't want it to change for the worse. Also, it took a long time to get 7 day delivery out here in the boonies where I live, a luxury I don't want to do without at this point."

"I strongly feel that a local newspaper needs to serve the community by keeping it informed of cultural and artistic events in the area. As a current subscriber, I look forward to supporting a paper that is fully invested and concerned with Central Illinois as well as one that offers timely coverage of the nation and world. In particular, the Arts are of major interest to me, my family, friends and colleagues. Thank you."

"Arts coverage by the Journal Star is exceptional and has made the difference in developing audiences for the classical arts. For a city its size, Peoria is blessed with a high degree of talent and creativity. Covering this aspect of the region as thoroughly as it has done, the Journal Star lets the world know what a "gem" we have in our community."

"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your newspaper. I hope that the new owners use the same integrity that we have always depended on with your newspaper. Thank you. W. Kim Noble"

"I'm writing today to express my deep love for the arts in the Peoria area. Peoria Journal Star has been great by going to shows and writing amazing reviews to bring in more people. The productions that are selected and rehearsed is always such an inspiration to be apart of. May I add also that the talent is phenomenal! The Peoria Journal Star is one of the main media sources that brag and go over the top to write about these young artists and their fabulous talent. Please realize how much the arts mean to us in the surrounding area. As being apart of shows in this area, we desire to be on stage and share our talents. The Peoria Journal Star is also what helps bring in our audience members for each performance night. Please, the arts need to be included in the newspaper at all times. We need it!!!"

"I subscribe to the Journal Star and no other newspaper. My paper has been delivered in the worst of weather conditions and I believe that employees of the Journal Star go beyond their duties to ensure the paper is top quality and all customers are truly satisfied. "

"To Whom it may concern, The Peoria Journal Star has made great strides in showcaseing the arts in central Illinois. The addition of the Cue on Thursday with its focus on local entertainment and art related events would be sorely missed. The Art section in the Sunday paper( the first thing I read on that day ) has shown the community that the art organizations are diligent in working together to raise the standard of life in central Illinois. We have made much progress over the past few years, with the help of the press and ArtsPartners. It would be a shame to lose either one. In this time of transition as corporations and government bodies are looking at the bottom line, it would be a grave injustice to turn your back on this vital aspect of community value. Artist are called many things - strange, out there, weird, and bohemian, but when a city embraces the arts the words that are used change in tone to - vibrant, forward thinking, fun, and interesting. Thank you "Our Newspaper" for helping make Peoria a fun, interesting, vibrant, forward thinking community. "

"As a long time advertiser and subscriber of the Journal Star, I too am concerned that the newspaper will lose its local focus by cutting staff and positions in an effort to drive profits. Undoubtedly, I would reduce or discontinue advertising all together if the Journal Star becomes less relevant to the Central Illinois area. Sincerely! Dave Byrne President; Berean Bookstores"

"The PJ Star is the only real news source for the entire central Illinois region. Reducing its coverage in anyway would be extremely detrimental to the well being of Peoria and it's surrounding communities. I am especially concerned about continued and even increased arts coverage as there is little support for the arts in Peoria via any other media."

""If it's not broke, then don't fix it" would be the advice I would urge the new ownership to live by when the company changes hands. The Journal Star has provided an essential service to not just Peoria, but also dozens of surrounding communities all over Central Illinois. The service they provide is in perfect working order and is in no need of repair. "

"As a former Peoria resident, the Journal Star was at one time a news source I looked to for useful and pertinent information, especially regarding current events in the artistic community in Central Illinois. Please make sure this publication continues its dedication to the arts in our community!"

"I subscribe to the Peoria Journal Star because I think it is the best source of a wide range of news coverage and an outlet for the citizens of Central Illinois to share their thoughts and opinions. I also appreciate the extent to which this newspaper has gone to include many of the rural areas beyond Peoria into their media coverage. We need this service as much as the people who live within the city."

"Since joining the Bohemian Arts Society, I have come to realize how important to have a healthy ART Community and to have media support. Newsprint coverage of artistic events and efforts is one of the BEST ways to get the WORD OUT. If a newspaper becomes "Just a rehash" of the evening news from the previous day, what is the incentive for customers to purchase that paper? NONE! "

"As a nessicity to both our community and to our students, The Peoria Journal Star must understand that the arts need to remain a vital component of the newspaper's coverage."

"As a local elected official I believe it is important to have strong, effective newspapers at the local level, to hold me an my colleagues to account for what we do."

"To whomever decides to purchase the Journal Star: The Journal Star has provided my family with the opportunity to engage in the arts available in our area. This portion of the paper is a vital part to the overall education of the youth of the community. Please continue to provide future generations the opportunity to enjoy and participate in programs such as Eastlight Theatre and Peoria Players to name a couple. Keep this part intact. "

"It is extremely important that the ownership of the Journal Star work to find a local buyer. Ensuring a connection to this community is important to maintaining the quality of journalism stewardship that Copley has established in the Peoria area. "

"Community papers should exist to give the residents a voice. A way to get to know their leaders, the businesses, events, arts and issues facing the community. Hopefully the new owner will see how much Peoria and the surrounding areas value what the Journal Star offers."

"I have been a Journal Star subscriber for over 50 years and would hope that whoever buys the paper would continue to publish the outstanding coverage that readers have come to expect. "

"The PJStar is an important part of Peoria area and its communities. Its service is a vital part of our growth and unity. "

"Truly, I value the "Journal Star," and have subscribed to our morning newspaper since my arrival in Peoria almost seven years ago. I respect and trust the solid reporting and good journalism which this daily news edition represents and brings. I support the effort for the "Journal Star" to be sold to one (or those) who seek to maintain its mission of good reporting for the Peoria area and Central Illinois."

"We have subscribed to and enjoyed the Journal Star for 35 years. We do not always agree with the editors but we appreciate the fact they are voicing their opinions on local and state wide issues. The reporting is also fair and complete on most issues. As we have traveled the country on vacations and business we have always felt the PJS has ranked above most other NEWSpapers both big and small."

"As a subscriber to the Journal Star, I always look forward to the reviews/comments/articles about what is "playing in Peoria." The paper keeps me informed about up coming community shows, who is in the show, and what the show is about. I have enjoyed theater/concerts/exhibitions in Peoria and think the Journal Star's contribution and wealth of information about community theater/music/arts is extremely valuable. Thank you for your continued support of Peoria area venues. Sincerely, Kathy Maloney"

"I am very concerned that the new owners of the Journal Star are committed to maintaining a strong local newsroom. Our city is facing many critical issues such as a hazardous waste facility, a troubled public school system and an increase in violent crime. We are very dependent on good local reporting by experienced local journalists to have informed citizen input on such issues."

"Please take into consideration the value of our local arts when considering a new owner for the Peoria Journal Star. The arts are very strong in this community, stronger than most other cities our size throughout the country. The Journal Star has long kept the community current with performances, concerts, arts and artists in the local area. It is the civic responsibility of the future owners of the Peoria Journal Star to hold the arts and other civic groups in high regard. An owner without this sense of civic responsibility would not only hurt our growth as a community, but as individuals. "

"To paraphrase NPR, a great city deserves great art. A great city also deserves a great newspaper. They are inseparable. As the quality of one diminishes, so do the others. As intellectualism, creativity and emotional sustenance are abandoned in favor of the common denominator and the bottom line, so is innovation, productivity, and communal energy abandoned in favor of expediency, insularism and lethargy. The synergy between an energized and growing city, a vital and meaningful arts scene, and an insightful and probing news media - especially the print media - is essential for all to thrive. Without just one of those three components, a city becomes a backwater, arts organizations become self-indulgences, and newspapers become gossip columns and scandal sheets. Conversely, cities, news media and arts organizations which eagerly and energetically support and sustain one another build the synergy necessary to create a vortex of growth, creativity and excitement which make all three components irresistible. This is the element which fosters greatness. Peoria deserves a great paper, one which is truly interested in being part of the community by being willing to supply expanded coverage of those who make a community great. Please ensure that the new owners of the Journal Star are committed to these values, or don't sell it. "

"I enjoy reading the Journal Star in its present format. Hopefully, new ownership will supply area news in a positive way."

"This newspaper has always been a paper focused on the community it serves. It would be a tragedy for this to change."

"The Central Illinois Jazz Society is a non-profit organization that provides monthly live jazz jazz programs that are available to the public for reasonable a price. We have no paid staff and can not afford to purchase advertising. We appreciate the free coverage that the Journal Star provides to inform the public about our events. We hope access to these Public Service Announcements can continue. "

"Journal Star has been great for over 150 years. Please don't change it! "

"The Journal Star must remain an active advocate for the arts, culture, local news and events, and a platform for public debate in central Illinois. The central Illinois area deserves, and must demand, nothing less. A free and active press, open and responsive to the needs of the community which it serves, is a cornerstone of any true democracy."

" Please keep the local news central to the Journal Star as it has been. This is the main reason that we subscribe-obituaries, accidents, weddings, community news. Otherwise we can get the other news on the tv, radio or internet without the cost of the newspaper. I also look forward to the sale ads and coupon inserts."

"I have changed my subcribtion from weekends only to daily to show my support to keep the paper local. It is difficult to teach children about integrity when it is not found locally in our community. Keep the paper local!!!!!!! Sincerely, Mrs. David Marvel"

"In the modern, hurried age of automobile transport, a local newspaper is the modern equivalent of the forum; in Roman times literally a central place for citizens to discuss and debate ideas and issues. To lose a local newspaper, or to lose its commitment to fulfilling that role for its community, is a profound loss, and vastly increases the splintering of a community and a society. Recent trends in America have seen newspapers devoting less and less coverage to the arts, as their owner seek to maximize 'profit' while downsizing the workforce. This is an extreme danger to the arts, which rely on the papers not only for advertising space, but also for qualified and neutral coverage of events. In addition there is a very significant degree of marketing punch which is accomplished for arts organisations through this coverage, at no direct financial cost. This is critical for art forms which must compete for the leisure and entertainment minute and dollar with the sports and 'pop' industries such as the NFL and NBA and Hollywood, with their billion-dollar marketing budgets. A community with no local coverage of the arts, (and no independent, community-based opinion and discussion of today's issues and concerns), is at the mercy of the marketing machines and their gargantuan budgets and psychological sophistication. An independent, community-based and -owned newspaper is our best and first defense against the loss of cultural and political civil liberties, and is one of the most important resources in our defense of the cultural values being so severely eroded in the modern age. It's not clear how, but Peoria needs to help ensure that the Journal Star passes into hands which understand the necessity of preserving these values and liberties, above and beyond the siren call of the profit dollar. David Commanday"

"We recently spent the night at a hotel in another Illinois community (of similar size to Peoria) and were given a copy of their Sunday newspaper. The paper, now a owned by Gannett, claims to be a local paper, but only a fraction of the articles were of local interest, by local writers. The rest were syndicated, generic, ordinary. We joked that it had become "USA Today Lite". When we came home and read the Sunday PJ Star, the difference became even more apparent. The Arts Section especially was a true example of how a newspaper can be local, interesting, informative. We read about a local art show, a review of a local theatrical production, an article about a local musician, and information on a variety of events from upcoming performances to art shows. Like this other community, we have only one daily newpaper. When it ceases to become a truly local publication, where will get this information? "

"The single thing that makes the Peoria Journal-Star and The Galesburg Register-Mail relevent and required reading for me is their dedication of resources to Arts coverage. The Register Mail's Entertainment section and pages simply do not miss any of the many local Arts and cultural happenings. The Journal-Star's dedication of space and resources to advance publicity and event reporting make it essential reading. I can get news, weather and sports easily elsewhere. Informing about the things that make life rich -- when and what the symphony is playing, what literary critics think of the new book releases, what the Theater groups are performing, that reporting is what makes the Journal Star relevent and important to me. I don't fear losing this reporting. It is too vital to the life of our regional community. If the Jouranl-Star drops it, someone else will quickly fill the vast hole. While I am speaking of a small part of the Journal-Star's total editorial content, it is the part that makes the paper whole. I would encourage both seller and buyer to recognize the high value of the Arts reporting structure in both papers. While it is somewhat intangiable, it is none-the-less very real. respectfully, gary tomlin"

"I want to read the local news"

"To Whom It May Concern, The Journal Star is a wonderful publication, and I hope that the pending sale of the newspaper will not affect the quality, content, or objectivity of the articles. It is important for any thriving community to have a reliable, affordable, and accurate newspaper with issues that directly affect the community. The Arts especially draw money and visitors to the Peoria area and I would be very discouraged to see any press coverage of Art Events to not be included in the future. Thank You Jennifer Short"

"Please promote the Arts so that we can make a difference. Teach the arts to help keep kids off the streets and keep the elderly active, Save the arts helps to promote the environment and to recycle materials, be in the arts gives us opportunities to share, give, and be in the community. The Arts helps all people in so many more ways that are sometimes overlooked until they are gone from site. "

"We like to read about local issues as well as world issues."

"I have no idea what is to come of the Journal Star, but what I will say is how much it has been a staple in the arts here in the central Illnois area. I am a theatre minor and a music major at Bradley University, I have lived in this area since I was 2, and I have done many ground breaking thaetre shows in thea area, from Les Miserable, to Cats. One of the most memorable things in my theatre expierence here in Peoria, is to go to a cast party on Saturday night, and wait for the reviews in the PJ star. I don't want to see that go. I think that is one of the ties that keeps the Community theatre and he arts so top notch in this area, it keeps the idea that we do have competition, and to loose that is to loose a staple to our past. Please keep that in mind. ~Nick M"

"We hope David Copley puts the community first and foremost in his mind when making any decisions."

"I feel local coverage is important. This is one reason I read the paper. Without it circulation for the small communities will decline."

"I live in Indianapolis after living in Peoria for 23 years. The Indianapolis Star might be the bigger paper with the bigger circulation, but the Arts section is limp. Please keep in mind when selling that the Arts section is part of the reason the Peoria theatre and music scene stays so strong. "

"I WANT THE JOURNAL STAR TO STAY INTACT."

"As a subscriber for over a decade, I too feel strongly about the Journal Star's impending sale and its possible ramifications. The local coverage, particularly in Arts, is first-rate and absolutely essential to the future of Peoria arts organizations. I encourage the Copley family to consider the impact that changes to the Journal Star may have on the arts scene in Peoria, as the arts are an important "quality of life" issue to this area. Sincerely, Dan Aspell "

"We have lived at 4919 for 26 years, and the Journal Star is an excellent paper, and the delivery of the paper never failed high standards. "

"As a member of the Central Illinois' arts community, I appreciate the work and support that the Peoria Journal Star gives us. The arts are very active in this area and have many, many supporters. Having our events covered and our stories told is a huge positive feature of the newspaper. What an incredible disappointment it would be to all of the people of Central Illinois if things changed!"

"Please continue to feature the arts in your publication. Thank you."

"To whom it may concern, Please maintain the standards the Journal Star has always had. Thank you."

"We have enjoyed the Peoria Journal Star for many years because it is our local paper with the news and event coverage that we are interested in. We feel that it is important to keep this media service to the people of the community. "

"As a non-profit organization that serves as the collective voice of the Peoria area arts community, ArtsPartners expresses in no uncertain terms how important it is that new owners of the Peoria Journal Star ensure that the arts remain a vitally important segment of your newspaper coverage. We know the key role that arts and culture play in building our city's future success and therefore, we urge the new owners of the Peoria Journal Star to keep the arts high on the community agenda. "

"I hope the Journal Star's buyer will take full advantage of the paper's resources and continue to focus on covering Central Illinois. "

"The Peoria Journal Star has been an important part of our weekends for many years. We enjoy all sections and read most letter for letter. Please sell the paper to an organization that put quality of journalism above dollar amounts. thank you, Mrs. Sue Ledeboer"

"I'd like to express my views regarding the possible sale of the Peoria Journal Star. As one of the founders of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria and as an artist, I can attest to the value of the paper's local arts coverage to the community as a whole. The Journal Star has greatly aided those of us who have sought to revitalize the RiverFront, and has helped to develop and shape the arts community in Peoria with local features and coverage of local events. Thanks are due the Journal Star for past insightful articles on the arts in our area. It is my hope that this type of coverage will be continued even with new ownership. I urge the paper's owner and publisher to act responsibly with respect to the sale of the Journal Star to insure the retention of local arts coverage. Respectfully, Preston Jackson"

"What else can I do to help?"

"I have read other newspapers regularly, even had subscriptions to others when I lived out of the Peoria area. No paper in the state - and none that I have read from out of state, for that matter - compares to the Journal Star. This is one case where you cannot add by subtracting. They make an amazing product as is. PLEASE do not fix what is not broken. My "hometown" paper (The Macomb Journal) is a shell of what it once was. Every nickel has been squeezed out of it. It was never at the level of the Journal Star, but for a smaller town newspaper, it used to be quite good. Now when I go home, I can't even stand to look at it. Please do not do this to our state's finest newspaper. "

"the journal star has long been the source for news and information from across central illinois. the paper not only covers information from peoria but from all surrounding communities. it is a valued source of information and has been for many years. "

"The Peoria Journal Star has served Central Illinois by providing excellent local and regional coverage. The Journal Star's influence and importance are far reaching and vital to those in the circulation area. Please continue to provide the level of journalistic integrity and coverage that the Journal Star is known for."

"We appreciate the local news. We like the articles and columns which call our local leaders to be accountable for their actions. We appreciate the incite stated in the columns and articles about local issues. If the paper no longer delivers those types of articles and columns there will be little reason to purchase it. "

"Dear Peoria Journal Star and Newspaper Guild (both of which I am a former member): In summer 1970-74 I was a Journal Star intern, with guaranteed work and scholarship. I majored in history at Trinity College (Hartford, CT) returning home to Peoria each summer, learning how to listen and write on deadline. Years later, with a Ph.D. in History from University of Southern California, preceded by an M.A. in History from NYU I had worked as an editor on the international and foreign cables desks of United Press International. Before that, I worked in Rome, Italy as a reporter, editor, and copy-desk editor at the Rome Daily American and International Daily News. What I learned at the Journal Star has stayed with me, as even now I write complicated historical studies in clear language meant for regular readers. I have not lived in Peoria in more than three decades, even as my mom and dad (he now deceased) never left. I read the PJS two or three times a week on line and my mom sends me clips. The paper became so much better in the past two decades, a great improvement over what it was when I worked there. It would be a shame that such a good local paper might lose its lustre under new ownership not connected to the local culture, which is rich: as for example the superb coverage of classical music which is rare for such a small daily paper. Keep the paper locally owned and operated, as I say this also living in Los Angeles where our own 'hometown' paper the Los Angeles Times, is in a big fix after having been downsized and shipped out of town to Chicago Tribune owners who do not have a clue about Los Angeles, or how to run a paper in a town of which they know nothing. Please, keep the Peoria Journal Star playing in and of Peoria. Ty Geltmaker, Ph.D. 1400 N. Coronado St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 "

"I very much desire that the Journal Star be locally owned. It is a newspaper the Peoria community can call its own."

"I enjoy our paper would love to see more neigherhood news of the happens good and bad so we are more informed of our surrounding and the saftey of our commiunty around us.The first thing of the morning is the Journal Star thats starts our day I hope whom ever buys the Journal Star remembers it's readers this is our paper and with out us they won't suceed."

"Lets keep the journal star a local paper with great reporting!! We need a responsible owner that looks beyond just quick profit but looks at the value of a great paper!!"

"The Journal Star has fantastic local coverage and is vital to the health of our community!"

"As President of a local unit of government, I know how important it is to have a newspaper that keeps the citizens informed of the actions taken by their local governments. Tim Howard"

"Keep the Journal Star the jewel of journalism in Central Illinois!"

"I grew up in Peoria and worked at the PJS in various editorial department jobs for over 15 years prior to leaving for law school. The paper's first-rate journalistic standards are well known in the newspaper business and in the homes of loyal readers throughout Central Illinois and beyond. I've proudly integrated the PJS into various classes I've taught and fondly recall the dedication and professionalism of the people with whom i worked. It would be a shame for Peoria and Illinois to give way to substandard journalism or lose a landmark like the Journal Star. "

"I purchase the Journal Star predominately for the local news and especially the local art information. Without this kind of coverage included in the paper I would not buy a subsription. It is obvious that the paper requires local reporters to report local news. It would be a loss to this community if the reporters, local art information and local news are eliminated. It would surely leave a vacumn for the citizens. I cannot support a paper that does not support its community's needs and desires. The Chicago Tribune does a fine job of repoting the news but its not Peoria local news. Please continue the great coverage that Gary Panetta and other fine reporters at the Journal Star have given us. "

"As the chair of a program that prepares students for careers in print and broadcast journalism, I consider the Journal Star to be an important information resource for the region. All of us at Monmouth hope the paper will continue its long and valuable tradition."

"We need a newspaper reflecting the needs of our LOCAL community -- please honor our needs and sell to a responsible owner who will maintain a strong LOCAL commitment. Thank you."

"On behalf of the West-Central IL Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Labor Council of West-Central Illinois, and all of the individual organizations affiliated with these Councils, I would like to state publically that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the employees of the Journal Star. We urge Mr. David Copley to make any sale of the Journal contingent upon the honoring of all existing labor agreements. The employees of the Journal Star are our relatives, friends, and neighbors, we will not stand idly by and watch a new owner treat them unjustly. Michael Everett President W-C IL Bldg. Trades & Labor Council of W-C IL "

"I like my paper just the way it is. We don;t need chicgo news or Newyork news."

"As person who has grown up reading the Journal Star, I believe it is very important that we have a continue to have a newspaper in Peoria that is of high quality. The Journal Star is important not only for its award winning news coverage, but also for its community involvement. As a student in District 150, having the Journal Star available in the classroom provided many good learning opportunities. The Journal Star also helps out hundreds of less fortunate people in the community around Christmas time with its food basket and stocking program. I would miss the exceptional local news and sports coverage if the Journal Star's new owners run it into the ground."

"As a home-grown Peorian and long-time political figure I am pleased to add my name to the Save the Journal Star petition to the current owners and potential buyers. Although I have had disagreements with individual writers and editorials, I believe the PJS attempts to listen to the many different sides of an issue and hires qualified staff to deliver the news and opinions in a professional manner. We need a professional paper that places an emphasis on Central Illinois and the issues and concerns of people in our area."

"As a former employee of the Peoria Journal Star, I have many fond memories of covering various sporting events for our sports department. I got my career off on the right foot with the JS, and I wouldn't be where I am at today without the experiences at the Peoria Journal Star. Save the Star!"

"It seems silly that I have to state my support of our community's main newspaper, but it is important so here it goes. I am 28 and read it online every morning (don't have time for the printed version because I would want to read all of it and don't have that kind of free time). Most of my family does subscribe to the printed version. Working in marketing, I have noticed that most of the other media outlets get their news from the Journal Star, from TV to Blogs. Now if that doesn't illustrate how important it is, I don't know what else to say. Save the Journal Star!"

"We have to have a voice such as the Journal Star, who is part of the community, to share our concerns, pro or con. They have a much wider coverage than the individual and express both sides of a story or event."

"Out here on the East Coast I've seen what happens when the wrong owners by what once were quality papers. Don't let it happen to the PJS. "

"To the Copley family: I was raised in Washington, IL, and I grew up reading the Journal Star in the Fifties. I delivered the afternoon paper for a time. Eventually I became a teacher of high school English. I consider the Journal Star to have been a significant influence on me. Because of it I began to respect responsibly crafted prose. I learned the difference between the fact of the front page and the opinion of an editorial. I learned to value an economical style, to understand that the length of a piece of writing is no good indicator of its quality. I came to admire writers who accepted responsibility for their positions and signed their names to their pieces. Primarily because of the Journal Star, I decided long ago that television and radio are at best only mediocre ways to become informed and that news carefully written and published in print is superior, allowing the reader the opportunity to reflect. These things are true of the Journal Star and not necessarily other papers. That the Journal Star has consistently remained excellent is certainly due in part to the stewardship of the Copley family. As you search for a buyer for this paper, please remember what the Journal Star has meant to its readers. Please choose a responsible buyer. David Grimm Sherman, IL "

"I thoroughly enjoy reading the Journal Star on a daily basis. I believe it contains a good mix of local, regional, and national news, as well excellent forums and columns. In particular, the forums and columns give insight to parts of our life many of us don't realize are passing us by quickly. I travel a great deal for business, and find newspapers from other large city (like Peoria and bigger) don't have the well balanced content like the Journal Star. We enjoy the format, the content, and the information you give to the common man/woman on the street. Please consider our need to have our local newspaper continue to provide the mix of information that we have enjoyed for a number of years. Thank you from a loyal reader."

"I really lilke the journal star !~!"

"Good Luck!!"

"In this age of online resources, the only advantage a local paper offers is local news. Without a solid commitment to local arts and local news, we will not subscribe to the Journal Star. Thank you."

"we really need to keep our local paper - how else will we get our local news? "

"Far too many changes have already been made to the Central Illinois area, Peoria particularly, which have had a negative impact. Now they want to sell our newspaper and move us yet a little more from the arena of being a thriving city to that of being just another piece of Illinois that is not Chicago. Our newspaper is one of several things that make Peoria a city and not just some oversize hick town in the middle of our country. I don't know who will or would buy "our" newspaper, but odds are they will be from somewhere other than Peoria with little or no interest in us as a community. This does not bode well for our newspaper."

"Save the Journal Star!"

"I do hope that the new buyers for the Journal -register and the journal star are community focused not not greedy."

"As the advisor for the Peoria High School newspaper, as well as a lng-time resident of the Peoria area, I believe the PJS needs to remain a quality locally-oriented newspaper. The PJS is the largest newspaper outside the Chicago area and it has a huge coverage area. It also is a leader in community involvement and in fostering journalism and newspaper awareness in the local schools. It is imperative that the paper remain in the hands of people who don't just look at the "bottom line" but who are committed to keeping the product at it's current high level and even improving it. Additionally, the PJS sports coverage is second to none in it's coverage of area sports at all levels of competition. That breadth of coverage would surely be a casulaty of staff cuts and other cost-related cuts (travel, mileage, etc.) Please keep the Journal Star the way it is, staff and coverage-wise; or make it even better, but don't make it less!"

"An independent local press is crucial to community well-being. Either overly intrusive or increasingly indifferent ownership reduces the value of the local press to its citizens. Let's help keep the Journal Star viable and valuable by encouraging responsible ownership, dedicated to the collection and dissemination of news, rather than as a mere corporate profit center or loss leader."

"Excellent coverage of local and regional news; keeps me abreast of midwestern issues. Reporters are concise and informnative, seem to always cover issues which I find to be unique, interesting and relevant. Having gotten use to the coverage, I am skeptical as to any changes. Like a good bottle of wine, one is reluctant to see any change in a good product; the Journal Star is excellent."

"The only reason to do what everyone else is doing when that thing doesn't work is that you're not creative enough to think of something else. Following trends is lazy. Setting trends is smart. Do the right thing."

"Whomever buys the Journal Star MUST keep the paper's focus on local issues as well as national issues. Especially important is the arts section. Gary Panetta writes the BEST column on what is happening in Peoria with the art world, i.e., theater, opera, ballet, symphony. It is obvious that he is very knowledgeable and keeps an open mind. I have not lived in Peoria very long but depend heavily on Panetta's opinion. There are other local columnists that make the Journal Star unique -- a far cry from what most newspapers print these days."

"To potential owners of the Journal Star - don't mess with something that isn't broke. Leave it as it is and don't try and maximize profits but cutting costs. To David Copley, owner of the Journal Star - Please be discriminate who you sell this newspaper to. Sell only to an organization/group that has a passion for newspapers and the important roles that they serve. It would be downright shameful to see this paper land in the hands of greedy individuals who are out to squeeze every last dollar out of it and not care about its customers, employees or the community it serves."

"The Journal Star is an important voice to the Peoria and surrounding communities. This is a newspaper with merit. He Journal Star is a paper with integrity. WE NEED YOU!"

"My favorite part of the paper is the Editorials written by local residents."

"After reading Terry's story on the change of owenership of the PJS we were alittle surprised. We spend our winters in Florida but read the paper daily on the internet. Some how we missed the sale of the paper. My day is not complete until i read the paper. After two weeks in Florida i ordered the Sarasota Hearld. What a disappointment. We are spoiled by having the PJS. The paper here is owned by the New York Times, a real waste of money. We will keep reading the paper on line until spring when we return.We hope our home town paper will be just that "OUR HOME TOWN PAPER". We have got to know everyone so well even if they all don't know us. Terry, Phil, even Mary in the Obits. Please keep it the way we left it. sincerly, D. Patterson"

"The Journal Star -- love it or hate it -- is the glue that holds the community together. It is vital that it continue to reflect the diverse values of the community and to report the news in a way that enables the community to stay in touch with itself."

"I LOVE THE PAPER DONT SELL IT. IM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS . "

"As a former journalist, I make it a point to keep abreast of developments in the newspaper industry, as well as to regularly read papers from around the state. My work now brings me to Peoria quite often, which has permitted me to read the Journal Star regularly. From reading this newspaper it is abundantly clear that, in addition to maintaining consistently stellar journalistic standards, the Journal Star is a unique and necessary voice in Peoria and throughout western Illinois generally. Any prospective owner should think very seriously before tinkering with this institution. Newspapers in more crowded urban areas such as Chicago are not nearly as important to their communities as are those papers in smaller, more remote cities, such as Peoria and western Illinois. Simply, readers in these areas rely upon their newspapers not only for news, but as leaders and, indeed, important voices of their communities. The Journal Star has always fulfilled these roles, providing both journalism of the highest order and sound, conscientious leadership truly worthy of its community. Any prospective purchaser of this newspaper should understand the weighty obligations that come with this newspaper, as well as realize the number of people who will be watching closely what happens with the Journal Star."

"I care about the community and wish to see more local coverage."

"I would hate to see cuts in staff and less local coverage."

"An excellent publication. I hope it remains that way. DG Elbert"

"I concur with many of the thoughts expressed in this forum. As a former 9+ year employee, I'm fully aware of the value and impact this great paper has with the community. The Journal Star has consistently provided the readership with deep and wide coverage of all areas affecting Central Illinois. Many of the newspapers I've read throughout the state and the Midwest lack the coverage and the quality of the Journal Star. Many daily papers lack the competition in their area, leading to complacency and mediocrity. I believe the Journal Star takes a different approach to the lack of competition. They embrace this by having a high level of responsibility and loyalty to the readership. These high standards must be upheld. To do so, you must employ enough quality people in all the areas. Writing, editing, layout, transportation, delivery, mailroom, clerical, maintenance, advertising, accounting, etc. must have the support needed. This can be done all the while making a profit. The past proves that. My closing remarks are: Tell everyone you know about the concerns listed on this forum. Challenge them to speak out and remind the people involved with this sale of the following. The readers who buy the paper have a say. There are various print and media outlets in Central Illinois willing to share the public's view. We must continue to be informed in the thorough way we have in the past or we simply can choose not to buy the paper. LET ME KNOW IF I TALK TOO MUCH!"

"Having a mid-sized paper that is able to produce adept, analytical journalism is invaluable to a city. Keep the Journal Star strong."

"I support you in your fight to uphold first-rate journalism and civic responsibility for Peoria. Unfortunately, our recent experiences across the country teach us that any buyer will only see the bottom line. Journalistic excellence and the common good are in the hands of the workers."

"I have been in the printing field since 1963. The Journal Star has presented itself as a true newspaper, trying to cover the news objectively. Yes, there have been mistakes over the years - the nature of the field. It does truly belong to the community. If it is sold to a true newspaper organization, I have no objection. If it is sold as another cog in the liberal media, I will no longer subscribe or support it - so buyer beware."