Paul Bryant is managing editor of The Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman. Weekly newspapers are often called "community" newspapers based solely on the size of the markets they serve.

The terminology is used loosely. Especially in today's challenged print industry, many small newspapers come nowhere close to deserving the distinction. Merely existing as a weekly publication is not enough to warrant being labeled a community newspaper. Actions speak louder.

But actions can complicate and even dilute the "community" effort. Let me explain.

Community newspapers can be community newspapers without lowering its journalistic standards. Being small does not - and should not - translate into small-mindedness. It should not mean sabotaging the paper's efforts by treating the community publication almost like an afterthought.

Professionalism and integrity should not be mitigated just because the paper is printed once a week instead of seven days a week.

Having worked in small and large newspapers, I've seen the best and worst of both. But one factor has stood out to me over my career: Weekly newspapers generally are treated like the lesser of newspapers by outsiders and insiders, their own employees.

It's a truth I've detested in my career and have worked vigilantly to change it wherever I go.

That's not to say weeklies aren't supported by their communities. Research has consistently shown readers appreciate them more. They recognize their newspapers can offer a more intimate look at their communities than the larger publications.

They understand the weeklies tend to care more about what happens around them. They see the value in supporting the smaller papers.

And I think that's the case here.

Since coming here three months ago, I've been approached by many of our readers who have expressed their gratitude for the changes we've made and the work we continue to do here to improve our overall product.

The measure of their kindness and generousity is evident on a daily basis, and I think it's representative of how this newspaper is perceived in our area.

I can't answer for what did or did not happen before I came here. That's not for me to do, anyway. But what I will do is deliver what I promised: a true community newspaper whose central purpose is to serve its people.

That includes covering stories people may find controversial or sensitive, because contrary to what some believe, the role of the community newspaper is not to merely publish feel-good stories and photos. By ignoring the bad, we would do our readers a disservice. And as long as I'm here, that's not going to happen.

Take Murchison, for example. I'll leave it to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other state or federal agencies to decide if officials there illegally buried solid waste or broke other laws.

But I won't just let this story slide. I won't look the other way for the sake of protecting feelings or avoiding conflict.

I won't say, "Well, it's a small town and stuff like that goes on all the time." I won't say, "We're a community newspaper. We don't do stories like that."

We will not ignore "negative " stories, and we will not be intimidated. We'll cover the good, the bad, and everything in between. We'll do our jobs as journalists, and no one - elected or otherwise - will deter us.

The Statesman's editors have a combined 32 years of experience at daily and weekly newspapers.

Our editorial policies are centered around that experience. We combine the community aspect of journalism with industry standards and, sometimes, the look and feel of a larger newspaper. This is what we do.

We can always be better, though, and we want your help. E-mail us at editor@cbstatesman. com or sports@c-bstatesman.com, give us a call, or come by and see us. We look forward to it.