Today marks the fourth anniversary of The West Ranch Beacon. To all of our loyal contributors and readers thank you for making the past four years truly memorable and successful ones for The West Ranch Beacon. Your continued readership, contributions, support, encouragement and comments have been greatly appreciated.

A few years ago I wrote that; “When I first started this site in the fall of 2005 it was truly on a whim because I felt the local paper was and is doing a terrible job in covering the West Ranch communities. It was a surprisingly simple process to set up the original site and I immediately posted some of my previous writings.”

“It quickly became a place that I could post some of my thoughts on the various issues that concerned me and might be of interest to others. The site was also a way to post news and meeting announcements that were not being covered or posted elsewhere.”

Those words still resonate and I am proud to say that The Beacon is making a difference by keeping those interested informed and up to date on community issues and happenings. It is important that our community have a resource that is beholden only to getting out all the facts and the truth.

Further in the same essay I went on to say; “The West Ranch Beacon has grown beyond any expectations that I had originally. In fact, I had no expectations except that I now had a place to post news and commentary whether anyone cared or not.”

As it has turned out, a lot of people apparently do care and hence the thousands of hits this site receives weekly. Not only that, there have been wonderful comments about how refreshing it is to have a local media outlet that actually operates independently, gets facts and quotes straight and isn’t obliged by politics or staffers.

Over the years we have been the first to break some important stories to our readers including the funding of the Initial Feasibility Analysis (IFA); questioning the operating expenses at the COC Performing Arts Center; the recent announcement of the Golden Oaks Ranch studio expansion plus many other events, meetings and information that you wouldn’t find anywhere else or in a timely fashion. We will keep on doing so in the coming new year as we continue to grow and expand. You can be sure that there will be many more firsts and plenty of surprises to come!

It is still very interesting to receive phone calls from print reporters asking about a posting on our site. It is unfortunate to see those reporters taking story ideas off of this site and not crediting us for them. This has happened both locally and regionally over the years.

That’s the impact The Beacon has had on our valley!

You have the right to hear the whole story, the real stories that affect our Santa Clarita Valley communities and we aim to do just that without interference or influence. We will endeavor to continue to be current, sometimes controversial and always thought provoking as we enter our fifth year publishing “The Beacon”.

From all of us at the West Ranch Beacon we wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Holiday Season. Spread the word!

Dave Bossert- Commentary

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.