A Note From the Editor: Reasons to Be Thankful as the End of 2023 Draws Near

Some things for which I’m thankful as 2023 draws to an end:

• I’m thankful for everyone who played a part in this year’s Best of Coachella Valley. We received a record-number of votes, and our December print edition is the best the Independent has ever had in terms of revenue. (Expenses are also as high as they’ve ever been, but I won’t get into that, because it’s definitely not something for which I’m thankful.) I greatly appreciate all of this issue’s writers and contributors, our advertisers, and our friends at KESQ News Channel 3. I especially want to thank Dennis Wodzisz, our amazing designer who made everything look so spiffy—and finally, a hearty thanks to you, our readers, for voting in the poll, and making this issue so fun.

• I am thankful for the California Legislature, which funded the California Local News Fellowship program. Because of that, the Independent and the Coachella Valley have a fantastic new reporter, Haleemon Anderson, for at least the next two years.

• I am thankful that President Joe Biden, just a couple of days before Thanksgiving, finally issued a major disaster declaration regarding the damage done in the Coachella Valley (and some other parts of the state) by Tropical Storm Hilary. Anyone who’s driven through the areas that sustained serious damage, such as the northeastern portion of Cathedral City’s Panorama neighborhood—which was devastated by a shocking mud flow—knows this declaration should have been made weeks ago. But it’s much, much better late than never.

• I am thankful to the conservatives who are speaking out against the horrifying rhetoric and threats being made by former President Donald Trump. During a Veterans Day speech, he actually said: “We pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections. They’ll do anything, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America and to destroy the American Dream.” It was just one the latest fascism-tinged remarks he’s made, while riling up his supporters against everyone from elections officials to judges to, of course, journalists. While far too many Republicans are feebly going along with his hate, afraid of losing power, some brave souls have chosen to call Trump what he is: an anti-freedom, anti-democratic bully. Speaking out against Trump has nothing to do with political stances at this point; it has to do with protecting peace and our democracy.

• Finally … even though I’ve already thanked Independent readers above, it bears repeating: I am so very thankful for the tens of thousands of people each month who read us online and/or here in print. While I am thankful to you all, I’m especially thankful to everyone who has contributed financial support, chipping in to help us continue producing quality independent local journalism—and making it free to everyone, with no paywalls, subscription fees or per-copy charges. As we approach our 12th year of publication, I am full of gratitude for you all.

Note: This is a slightly edited version of the editor’s note that appeared in the December 2023 print edition. Much of this column was originally published online in the Nov. 23 Indy Digest.