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Testimonials

  • Page 2, February 14 to 16 weekend edition 2020, west shore voice news
    Page 2 (editorial page) of the February 14 to 16, 2020 weekend edition of West Shore Voice News.

    2020

  • I like your new e-news subscriber format. ~ Tom Myrick, Sooke (April 2020)
  • Congratulations on your wonderful article on the present situation (‘Adjusting to COVID-19 is no easy feat and commands humility’). You kept my interest right to the end. That is a super sign that you presented the situation clearly for the reader. ~ Joan Auldrey in Toronto (March 31, 2020)
  • I’ve just read your short article ‘Words are not enough?’ and I wanted to express my admiration and appreciation. Very well written. Succinct. It really hits the spot especially in the times that we’re in. So, well done! Thank you and keep up the good work. ~ Joanne Layton (February 20, 2020)
  • Love Mary and her Honest No BS news! ~ Bobbie-jo Happell, Sooke (February 2020)
  • Keep up the excellent work, Mary! ~ Kim Dillon, Community Relations Coordinator, WorkLink Employment Society (January 2020)
  • West Shore Voice News, December 27 2019
    Page 1 image of the December 27, 2019 Year-end Edition of West Shore Voice News

    2019

  • I have subscribed to your PDF edition. I also appreciate being able to pick up one of the coffee shop copies around the west shore. ~ Keith Sketchley, Saanich (December 2019)
  • I just want to say that I very much enjoy reading the West Shore Voice News, there are so many relevant articles, never boring. Thank you for your dedication. ~ Trudy Spiller (November 2019)
  • West Shore Voice News is one of the last bits of undestroyed journalism. ~ Singer-songwriter Jon Brooks (March 2019)
  • Thanks Mary. Great coverage on such an important initiative for the Board: Waiving overdue fines on kids’ books is a plus. ~ Rosemary Bonanno, Executive Director, Vancouver Island Regional Library (January 2019) 
  • Thank you for the informative stories; I’m coming to really rely on your newspaper! We get editorial style articles, articles about future plans councils have for the region, national news, environmental news… I like the variety and different perspective! ~ Kim Dillon, WorkLink (January 2019)
  • Thank you very much for helping out with a great article and a free ad to support our pet food service and animal rescue service. Your article is so well written! Kudos!!! No other newspapers achieve to have your grace, mastery and elegant style! Bravo! ~ Margarita Dominguez, SAFARS (January 2019)
  • west shore voice news
    December 14, 2018 issue of West Shore Voice News

    2018 [10th Anniversary Year for writing about the west side of Vancouver Island]

  • “I very much acknowledge and admire your work Mary…the art of publishing an ‘independent’ newspaper…with its multitude of individual tasks…that must be ‘performed’…and executed with precise decision making…with deadline after deadline looming on the horizon… would make most people abandon all hope. You are a rare breed Mary, a passionate news-gathering scribe who can summon up their muse day after day, and survive, in this digital age of mass marketing. Cheers to you, and long may you run. ~ Mick Rhodes, Sooke (October 2018)
  • “Just wanted to let you know that I totally agree with you regarding your editorial called “No place for blind belief or vigilante justice in #MeToo”. I do believe that the #MeToo movement is very important, however it also appears to me that all that needs to happen in the current environment is for someone to get accused, and their reputation is basically ruined, without any facts. Some men are pigs and are indeed guilty, however it seems to me that there are others that have been unfairly targeted. Glad you had the guts to write this, as it is not the ‘politically correct’ opinion to have.” Tom Myrick, Sooke (February 2018)
  • West Shore Voice News (and its previous iterations of MapleLine Magazine and Sooke Voice News) have helped spur many thought-provoking discussions in the Sooke community over the past 10 years. Political issues have been a mainstay of this publication, and the editorial pieces provide perspective and in-depth analysis of government matters. Thank you for your dedication over the past decade.” ~ Mayor Maja Tait, District of Sooke (February 2018)
  • “Over the years I had the great pleasure to observe how the paper that some people called ‘little’, valiantly rose like a flamboyant star or flag. In the name of all the women who lack confidence to fight for equality, thank you! Your magnificent writing skills, your vision, your wit, and your artistic touch make your paper a weekly treasure which we are all lucky to have. So, due to its richness, like French perfume, it can only come in tiny quantities. One of my university professors used to say that ‘it is more difficult to write a small note than to write a letter’.”  ~ Margarita Dominguez, SAFARS animal rights activist, Sooke (February 2018)
  • “Ten years! Many congratulations on a really great job!” ~ Jan & John Krottner, Pilgrim Coffee House, Colwood (February 2018)
  • “Congrats for 10 years of informative news served with colorful creative presentations! You are a survivor… good luck for another 10!” ~ Shirley Lowe, long-time subscriber, Sooke (February 2018)
  • Summarizing several subscribers who received our summary email bulletins about the Tsunami Warning in the wee hours of Tuesday January 23: “Thank you for providing that coverage and letting us know. We didn’t have any other information or know where to go for more details about the situation.” ~ various West Shore Voice News readers (January 23, 2018)
  • “On behalf of the entire District, thank you for all the work you do in our community!” [following front page coverage of the BC Government’s school funding announcement in Langford] ~ Ravi Parmar, Chair, SD62 Board of Education (January 2018)
  • November 24, 2017 cover of West Shore Voice News

    2017

  • “Thanks for the excellent Site C re-cap and information. After all these years reading stuff about it, I finally understand it by reading your material.” [posted December 11, 2017 on the BC page of www.westshorevoicenews.com and sent directly to paying digital subscribers] ~ Michael on Vancouver Island (December 2017)
  • “Your column on Site C was exceptional and reflects a ton of research and a ton of discipline in the writing [posted December 11, 2017 on the BC page of www.westshorevoicenews.com and sent directly to paying digital subscribers]. I was always opposed to Site C as a poor ‘financial decision’ for BC residential ratepayers who will now basically subsidize cheap power for corporations that evade taxes. The real unrecognized ‘losers’ are the poorer BC families who will face increased hydro rates which is far different from our generally well-off seniors (68% of BC seniors have do debt and get free ferry rides). I digress: well written!!!! ~ Bob Phillips, Otter Point (December 2017)
  • “Thank you for your coverage of our Xmas Tree Fundraiser last year. The article did help, I had several customers mention it.” ~ Debbie Lodewijk, Westshore Centre for Learning & Training [advertising the Xmas Tree Sale again this year] November 2017
  • “Thank you for your wit, wonderful writing skills and love of animals. Your editorial is brilliant!!!  Writing masterpieces only comes from the heart and is not a five-minutes thought. It is compilation of facts, feelings and passion.” [re page 2, November 17, 2017 West Shore Voice News]~ Margarita Dominguez, animal rescue organizer (November 2017)
  • “Your paper has a very nice feel to it, with a very professional presentation and professional handling of your ad sales. The turnout was excellent (at my Emily Carr talk and exhibit) and I know it was because of your involvement. Thank you for doing what you do. It does make a difference.” ~ Molly Raher Newman, theatre professional (November 2017)
  • “We’d like to thank West Shore Voice, our media partner on Vancouver Island, for their support in promoting this year’s #SmallBizSaturday being held on October 21st!” ~ Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) (October 2017)
  • “I like the broad sweep of your newspaper. The editorials are thoughtful. And overall your publication is even better than it was a year ago!” ~ Mark Ziegler, Sooke (September 2017)
  • “Wow, that’s exactly what I was thinking!” (re Sept 8, 2017 editorial “On this one, Trudeau has it all wrong” about the federal proposed small business tax changes) ~ long-time successful small business owner in Sooke, name withheld by request, (September 2017)
  • “Excellent editorial re the tax gouge of the wrong people (Sept 8, 2017 issue)! Most distressingly, as you said, it shows an ignorance of a dynamic sector of the economy – and, in some cases, like yours, the contribution to civil society.” ~ Eric Anderson (aka Hum), Sooke (September 2017)
  • “Great issue, good write-up on Stew Young’s business vision (August 18th Mid-August issue). Langford should be proud of his accomplishments and encouraging business partnerships in the “neighbourhood”. Well done!! A great newspaper!!” ~ Melanie Davis, Expedia CruiseShipsCentres, Langford (Aug 2017)
  • “Will keep on reading.”  |  “I’ll read on.”   ~ These are just a few of the comments rolling in regarding our August 2017 office shift to Langford and expanding our news coverage footprint to exploring more communities on the west side of Vancouver Island. (August 2017) 
  • “Johnny come lately Christy Clark, I love it.” ~ Neil Poirier (June 2017), re the June 23 post-election-saga editorial “BC Liberals not backing down” in  June 23, 2017 West Shore Voice News
  • “I’d rather be reading WSVN than sit out in the sun. The paper is just that good!” ~ Daniel Gilbey, Sooke (May 2017)