We’re very pleased to present our first newspaper. Clearly there is a lot to be done, and a lot to be learned, and that’s not a bad thing. That’s part of the reason we are here.

We moved to the Robson Valley from Edmonton in October of 2001. As husband and wife, we came for jobs with a local newspaper. It was a big change from Edmonton where Andru was involved with the Provincial Museum of Alberta, and Rashmi had been working as a news reporter with a radio station. Work with the paper was great. It afforded us the chance to learn about reporting and about this valley and the people here. We felt as if we had chanced upon a very special situation. We had found good work. Each week brought new challenges and rewards. However, our positions at the newspaper didn’t last and we had to move on.

After eight months of living in the valley, we had no intention of leaving. But we didn’t know what we’d do here, or how we’d stay.

It was when a good friend suggested that we start a co-op newspaper that we began to consider the possibility of starting this project. The co-op concept seemed to us the perfect way to set up a balanced, responsible newspaper sensitive to what’s going on in the community. We were struck by the idea of the co-op, and all that it could offer the valley and the type of work it could offer us. We decided to run with it.

We circulated a survey to see if there was interest in a community newspaper. Surveys showed a lot of interest!

We still hold the vision of a co-op newspaper as we build this enterprise. And one day we may become a co-op.

Our good friend in Dunster, Bridget Uhl, will help us carry out our vision and keep us in good spirits and on track.

The success of this project will depend on how much we engage you, the community, in content and discussion.

It will be fun as we figure how to do it!

Hope you’re looking forward to new times - the Robson Valley Times.

Rashmi Narayan & Andru McCracken