The continued pandemic lockdowns and restrictions have been having a devastating effect on so many small businesses everywhere, not last in Merrickville-Wolford. And the Times depends on those businesses to advertise, which is the only source of revenue we have. Given that, we have reluctantly decided to cease distributing the paper in the Village of Merrickville-Wolford until things improve in the local economy.
To be honest, the Merrickville-Wolford section has never covered its costs, and it is unlikely that it will for the foreseeable future. And we, too, are a small local business and cannot keep going without the support of business and the municipal council using the Times to advertise their meetings, zoning amendments, etc., as they should be doing.
Another factor in our decision has been the imminent departure of our intrepid reporter, Hilary Thomson, who is taking time off to have her first child. We are really happy for her and for her husband, Dan, but we will really miss her too.
So, there it is. We will continue to cover as much as we can of the goings-on in Merrickville-Wolford, but we cannot continue to use the rather costly services of Canada Post to get the paper to you. Copies will be available at places like the B&H in Kemptville, and possibly elsewhere as the restrictions ease. We hope you understand our position, and perhaps we can resume normal operations at some point in the future.
For now, many thanks and best wishes
