Drew Atkinson

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CONTRIBUTION : By fulfilling our mission and living our values, we will elevate the level of citizenship in our communities. IDEAL : We will earn respect for our service to our communities, our ethical standards, our relationships with people, the value we offer our customers, our innovations and purposefulness, and our business success.

CONTRIBUTION : By fulfilling our mission and living our values, we will elevate the level of citizenship in our communities. EXCELLENCE : We will excel because our people share our values and are committed to achieving excellence for themselves and for the organization. VITALITY : We will maintain our basic values and purposes, while continuously changing everything else to meet changing needs. STABILITY : We will manage conservatively to ensure the company's continuity and preserve its independence. GROWTH : We will expand when our existing operations are sound and when the expansion makes sense for us and for the communities we serve. IDEAL : We will earn respect for our service to our communities, our ethical standards, our relationships with people, the value we offer our customers, our innovations and purposefulness, and our business success. In so doing, we will provide a worthy model for the industry and a source of inspiration to all whose paths we cross.

SERVICE : We strive to help our communities become better places in which to live and work through our dedication to conscientious journalism, and by providing a vigorous advertising marketplace. ETHICS : We intend to be a company of which we can all be proud, known for its integrity, fairness, and

SERVICE : We strive to help our communities become better places in which to live and work through our dedication to conscientious journalism, and by providing a vigorous advertising marketplace. ETHICS : We intend to be a company of which we can all be proud, known for its integrity, fairness, and respect for others. Our business relationships are built on honesty, service, quality products, and value. We seek all-win relationships. We believe we can be successful without victimizing anybody. VALUE : We strive to provide our customers with valued products and services at competitive prices. We are constantly in search of ways to improve the value and service that we provide, and to increase our effectiveness and efficiency. IMPROVEMENT : We set only one goal: continuous improvement. But we do lots of measuring of trends, so we also know how we are doing. CONSULTATIVE SALES : We reject manipulative sales approaches in favor of a consultative approach. RESOURCES : We make maximum use of our resources and capabilities to pursue our mission. We abhor waste. We continuously seek to improve quality and efficiency. We intend to continue to be environmentally responsible. EQUIPMENT : We take pride in getting optimum performance from our equipment through careful use and good maintenance. We stand ready to upgrade or replace our equipment whenever such an investment can be cost-justified. SUPPLIERS : We want our outside advisors and suppliers to be committed and valued partners in ou

PEOPLE: We intend to excel by attracting and encouraging people who share our values and are committed to achieving excellence (for themselves and for the organization).

MISSION: We attempt to publish purposeful newspapers that encourage and support meaningful community involvement, and that provide citizens with the knowledge and participation they need to make rational decisions about public issues. SERVICE: We operate each of our newspapers as a public trust, in the public interest. We believe that our dedication to conscientious journalism is the best way we can help each of our communities become a better place to live and work. We achieve success by helping our readers, advertisers and communities become more successful. ETHICS: We are committed to upholding high ethical standards in all of our dealings. We attempt to treat every individual (inside the company and outside) with courtesy and respect. PEOPLE: We intend to excel by attracting and encouraging people who share our values and are committed to achieving excellence (for themselves and for the organization). STRENGTH : While our mission is our driving force, we recognize that we must earn sufficient profits to ensure the company's continuity, independence, and growth. Since no dividends are paid, the company is able to thrive on profit margins below industry standards. All after-tax surpluses are reinvested in Independent's mission of journalistic service, commitment to the ideals of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and support of the community's deliberation of public issues.