From Brian Dore of Franklin, Ind.:

I’ve often wondered when the non-Montreal-based conglomerate known as CanWest would “sanitize” the Montreal aspect of The Gazette.

A city’s newspaper, regardless of the size of the city, is a “printed spokesperson” for the city! Every city I’ve ever known of has prided itself on its paper - whether or not everyone always fully agreed with some of the content, editorial tone, or coverage of events or news.

The Gazette has been no different, throughout its long history, and has stood the test of time for newspapers, right up there with its francophone counterparts in the print media - Le Devoir, La Presse, and yes even Le Journal de Montréal!

To de-Montrealize the Gazette is not only journalistically wrong, it is a slap in the face to the many loyal Montreal readers who turn to the Gazette as a source of their daily news.

Now living in Indiana for the past 12 years, I cannot get home delivery of The Gazette, as you may well understand! (By the time the paper carrier got here it would be old news!)

But every morning I read it online, in the same way I might read the printed version at the kitchen table, as I did for many years living in Montreal.

I want my daily news of the city of my origins, Montreal, and The Gazette, even online, “delivers”!

Sterilizing the paper, I feel, will lead to “sterilized” news; nothing more than some generic, one-size fits all, attempt at bringing the news to readers.

And to move newspaper jobs, duties, and otherwise out of town, or farmed out overseas ….I consider that a kick in the ass, to go along with the slap in the face, to Montrealers!

I’ve signed the petition.

Vive la Montreal Gazette …. a truly Montreal institution - and leave it where it belongs, CanWest!

This letter was sent to us by Allan Aitken:

A couple of comments: most newspaper owners have a surfeit of ego, and many of them are also bright. The former applies to Leonard, but instead of brains/leadership/competence/etc. he has arrogance and uneasy creditors. As a businessman and a proprietor he’s a dud.

Back in ‘02, when he introduced national editorials, I wrote to complain. He was too busy to reply, bit I thought you might like to see the letter.

“For almost forty years we have subscribed to The Gazette. We read it diligently, and most days enjoy doing so. However, our loyalty is more complex. Because much of The Gazette is written in Montreal, and it is published here, we feel possessive about it. In fact, it is distinctly our paper. Towards the Globe & Mail and the National Post our attitude as readers is less familial.

“Certainly The Gazette has flaws. It also has great strengths, among which we include intelligent and perceptive editorials, provocative columns, and of course the Aislin cartoons. All originate here, and all are components of your local identification.

“The recent decision to run so-called national editorials is baffling. What is the problem that needs to be fixed? The members of your editorial board are manifestly able to produce high quality pieces with contexts ranging from local to international, and from topical to timeless.

“If you believe that the editorials packaged in Winnipeg are better, run them as an addition for a reasonable time and ask your readers which they prefer. We have already decided.

“To retain talented journalists you must allow them to write. If you dislodge them by importing editorials from elsewhere in the owning group, some of them will leave. The result will be lower costs, and if this is the motivation please show us enough respect to come clean.

“For a while longer we will continue to subscribe, at least from habit, but don’t take our attachment for granted.”

Once the petition reaches say 10,000 names I suggest the organizers should describe it in a letter to the editor. If it’s not printed, my next suggestion is to buy a small ad in the Globe. I’d gladly contribute to the cost.

Maintaining local content in the Gazette is far more important to Montreal, and not just to Anglo Montreal, than the once a year car race.

Does what’s happening at The Gazette bother you? Let your voice be heard.