Since the postal service began distributing The LaGrange Daily News, a number of readers have come forward with good feedback. These opinions are valued, whether complimentary or critical of our decisions. In light of this feedback, it is important to revisit the reasoning behind our conversion to mail delivery.

This decision was not made lightly, and outcomes were carefully considered. When weighing the potential switch, the factor that came to outweigh all others was simple.

Partnering with the postal service allows us to invest our resources in outstanding local news coverage and in our community through sponsorship opportunities like the Christmas Parade and others with local schools, civic clubs and the Chamber of Commerce

This transition, like any, has not been without hiccups, but Vanessa Starnes and others at the LaGrange post office have been working diligently to help us resolve problems as they arise. In some instances, however, factors outside of our control have led to delays, and in some cases, lapses in delivery.

Saturday, Dec. 9, was a good example of that. The delivery of our weekend edition was delayed to a portion of our subscribers due to poor weather conditions. Delayed or non-delivery is something we take every step to avoid, though in rare cases our best efforts fall short, and in this case, it did.

The newspaper, printed in Alexander City, Alabama, is picked up each morning between 1 and 3 a.m. and dropped off at post offices in Troup County for same-day delivery. Our dedicated driver, Johnathan Flanagan, performs this duty seamlessly on a daily basis.

Late Friday night and early Saturday morning, the roads in Alexander City were impassible. Flanagan was attempting to return from Alexander City, when he met a hill our vehicle could not navigate safely in the icy conditions. Alabama State Patrol officers advised Flanagan to turn around, which he did. He stayed overnight in a motel in Alabama, returned early the following morning and was able to ensure a portion of our subscribers received their weekend newspaper Saturday. I am proud of his efforts.

We have worked through wrinkles in delivery since Dec. 1 and are committed to doing so. As we do, I ask that you as readers continue to share your opinions, and remember every decision we will make will be for the long-term benefit of the newspaper, and in turn this community.