It’s the one comment I have heard the most in my nearly 30 years in journalism: “There’s never anything good in the paper.”

That sentiment was repeated recently by a city official who shared with other city employees her concerns about the “negativity” within articles and letters to the editor in the T-R and that there needs to be more “good news.”

The truth is that while we have an obligation to print articles that are sometimes unpleasant, and letters to the editor that are often critical, we take seriously the fact that we have an opportunity to publish stories and photos that inspire, enlighten and entertain.

And let’s be clear, the T-R does print a great deal of “good news.”

Take for example that just within the past 30 days — the photos you see above are representative of some of the stories we published that would be considered positive, perhaps even uplifting.

This is just a few, but here it goes:

• Our continued series on students who excel in the classroom;

• Video highlighting diversity in the school district;

• A young man’s refurbished tractor project honors grandfather;

• State Center Police Department adds a full-time officer to the force;

• American Legion Riders continue serving veterans and the public;

• Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library book sale;

• Community outreach by many in the community, including the Marshalltown Police Department (I think Lt. Rick Bellile should wear the Dr. Seuss hat all the time);

• House of Compassion Soup Bowl event;

• Lego League team from Marshalltown moves on to nationals;

• Heavenly Breads owner to establish a new business at the Orpheum Theater

The newspaper is a repository of information, some good, some bad. Our charge is to provide both.

But I will tell you that a majority of news that we print is positive. Whether it’s a wedding announcement, a feature photo of kids or animals, or a story about someone making a positive difference, we showcase that.

This is our community, too. We understand the value of the news — both the bad, and most assuredly, the good.

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Contact Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or jhutton@timesrepublican.com