Time of Crisis Presents Opportunities

Yesterday, I met with other members of the CV Chamber of Commerce executive board for our monthly meeting. Typically the meeting includes all board members but due to COVID-19 we limited the meeting to just the executive board – five of us – and our executive director.

I was asked how I was doing ¬– and answered honestly that I was doing great. Some of my fellow board members looked at me to see if I was being facetious, but I wasn’t.

With my fellow CV Weekly team members, I decided to pull on my warrior gear and fight the current pandemic. I decided to keep the doors of the CV Weekly open in order to provide the information to my community that will help us all get through this – together.

What I learned is that my decision has far-reaching ramifications … all positive.

In this week’s CV Weekly – which is back to 20 pages and eight pages of color – you’ll see advertisements from our elected representatives that share information and offer reassurance. They also provide a much-needed revenue boost to CV Weekly. J’s Maids has been a longtime supporter of the paper and owner Chris Waldheim extends his support to the restaurants that are suffering during this time. He has incorporated into his every-other-week ad the popular list we compiled of restaurants that are offering dine-out/take-out/delivery service. He also is upping the frequency of his ad to every week, alternating the locations of the restaurants. You can find this information on page 19.

These are not the only people who have reached out to show their support of the newspaper. Our readers have expressed their gratitude for the paper in a variety of ways including sending notes and emails of encouragement. Some have sent some “donations” that have brought me to tears and eased my mind as to how I’m going to meet payroll. Thank you.

I’ve also been fortunate in being able to “pay it forward.” CV Weekly had enough masks for our employees so we were able to donate some to USC-VHH. If a mandate is issued that everyone has to wear a mask we’re covered. When you see us out and about, you might see us wearing a mask. Some of us are actually using masks that we’ve had for years or that are reusable with proper laundering. We’re using a lot of hand sanitizer and sharing it with our drivers who deliver the newspapers. Our reporters try to conduct as many interviews as possible via phone or email to minimize contact with others.

I understand that April is going to be tough. But I’m also optimistic that we’ll get through it with faith, support and the caring of family, friends and neighbors.

  robin goldsworthy