With the aim of “exposing the greatness in our community,” a new Scarborough newspaper has landed in libraries, community centres, coffee shops and other businesses.
The Bluffs Voice, launched in December by business partners Teresa Wright and Matthew Medland, is a monthly community paper serving lakefront neighbourhoods from Main Street to the Rouge.
“We want to be a vehicle to strengthen our community,” explains Teresa, who serves as general manager. “We aim to shed a light on the individuals, businesses and
organizations that live or operate here. We want to focus on those who are doing great and simple things and who are living the spirit of a strongly connected community.”
Teresa says readers can expect a balance of easy reading, arts, entertainment and restaurant reviews, local sports coverage and local real estate news. She also promises a “touch of the literary,” which will include creative writing, poetry and book reviews. And, of course, the paper will also report on activities in the community, local politics and safety issues with the intention of really digging into the root of issues to find sustainable solutions.
One of the reasons Teresa decided to launch a paper at this time was her concern with the disconnection people are feeling in their communities. “I believe a community-centric newspaper has the capacity to make a dent in that loss, in helping people reconnect,” she says.
“I want to engage with residents, to learn what is on their minds and what they are
concerned about. That will drive the focus of our articles, stories and
investigations,” she adds.
While the paper has only been out for a few weeks, Teresa says she is amazed at the response from readers. “I had hoped for a positive reaction, but the warmth, the expressions of delight, the thanks we have received in person, by phone, email and Facebook tells me the time was right for this.“
Teresa encourages her readers to communicate with her about what is going on in
their neighbourhoods. She can be reached at teresa@bluffscommunitynews.ca.