Mainstream media often become stodgy when it comes to defining what exactly constitutes “newsworthiness.” While the term can be explained with many complexities, it boils down to one basic principle: In order to be a newsworthy person, one must either do something or have something happen to them. These occurrences can be positive or negative, but without them, it is a safe bet that no print or video will be used to describe the life of someone missing those extenuating circumstances.
Often, however, the most notable people are those who simply go about their daily business looking for nothing in return. They are friends, neighbors, casual acquaintances or co-workers, renowned in their environment not necessarily for any specific deed, but a collection of solids that only those in their inner-circles would know about.
Everyone knows someone who just simply stands out, for no reason other than their pleasant demeanor. As a college student living in Auburn Hills, my roommates and I made frequent late-night runs to our neighborhood Taco Bell. Juan, a cashier at the establishment, was one of these upstanding people simply because he always took the time to say “thanks” and invite us back again. Courtesy is a lost art, and people in any industry who have mastered it stand head and shoulders above.
Newspapers and news outlets have many roles. Reporting important news and relaying information are important, but so is building a sense of community among readers. This responsibility is largely ignored by corporate-owned, sensationalistic news organizations. Instead of highlighting cooperation and community-building at the neighborhood level (I truly believe this still exists, despite reports to the contrary), we get front page stories about the elderly arming themselves because of a growing distrust of neighbors.
There is no question that crime, violence and negativity exist (and should be reported). When we sit down and think about it, however, I don’t think anyone really believes these ills exist in proportion to the amount of coverage they are given.
What is the point to this rambling? I would like to start a recurring spot in this paper to highlight these people, who, to this point, are treated with also-ran status, entitled simply “neighbors.”
Although I think this could be a well-read and popular feature, I need some help getting it started. Due to the many possibilities, it is difficult to simply generate a list of interesting folks without some input. Therefore, I am asking our readers to send in suggestions.
Guidelines are fairly broad. We are not looking for specific categories here, just people who do their best to be helpful, polite, or generally make the Grand Blanc/Goodrich area a more pleasant place to live on a daily basis.
Suggestions can be submitted in several ways: e-mail to phayes@gbview.net; phone: 866-348-8439; fax: 810-695-2534; or direct mail to: Grand Blanc View, 110 E. Grand Blanc Rd., Grand Blanc, MI 48439. Include the name of the person, your reason for selecting them and contact information, if possible. Please write or type “Neighbors” in either the subject line of the e-mail or in the attention line of a fax.

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