Important link to history, community

I was appalled to read of Executive Editor Neal Pattison’s decision to cancel the “Seems Like Yesterday” feature. The Herald has repeatedly assured readers there is a strong commitment to local issues. This decision demonstrates not only a lack of commitment to local issues and history, but a lack of understanding of what separates Everett from being just another suburb and The Herald from being just another suburban newspaper.

For years “Seems Like Yesterday” was a fixture on the “Time Out” page and its move to the vaunted location next to the Alcohol License Applications and Free Community Notices probably hasn’t done much to increase its popularity. I appreciate the large feature articles on local history The Herald has printed in the last year, but I would encourage The Herald to see “Seems Like Yesterday” as a valuable demonstration of its commitment to local history in just a few inches of column space. Everett and The Herald itself have rich history going back over a century that should be celebrated and remembered, not just in the big events, but in the day to day activities of average citizens like those featured in “Seems Like Yesterday.” The Herald would better serve the readers and the community by expanding this feature to include 75 or even 100 years ago rather than abruptly discontinuing it.

As for Pattison’s insinuation in his “Note To Readers” that only Jack O’Donnell’s family and friends have missed this feature, The Herald should be thanking Mr. O’Donnell for his efforts rather than trying to minimize his contributions. For the record, I am not related to him and have never even met him. However, I am a nearly 40-year reader and a nearly 20-year subscriber who is very disappointed not only in The Herald’s short-sighted and ill-informed decision, but in the way that it was handled.

Mike Calvert

Everett