To the editor:

Appreciations to two organizations that often get short shift in the public “kudos” arena, but that, in recent years, have made changes in themselves to the benefit of our community.

A great big hooray to the Lawrence chamber of commerce for divorcing itself from the Kansas Chamber. While this occurred a couple of years ago, I’ve seen no comments in this or any other forum and think it is finally time the group’s effort is acknowledged. I’m sure many more people were involved in the decision to finally make the break, but two leaders deserve specific recognition, they being Cindy Yulich and John Ross. It serves to its credit that the selfishness and shortsightedness of the Kansas Chamber has been rejected by our own CoC.

The Lawrence Journal World deserves recognition for remaking itself in order to remain relevant to us readers. Achieving success in the world of paper and ink — print — is a greatly trying endeavor these days, with newspapers having to find ways to stay in business. The J-W’s moving its focus to local and area news and becoming once again a “hometown paper,” as it was undoubtedly in its beginning, is laudable. I know there has been discussion about the company’s going this direction for some years, and it is interesting to watch the process of change.

Lawrence/Douglas County is a magical place. Thanks to all who contribute to make it so.