By Peter Cellino, Publisher of The Farmington Mercury

We’ve made a bold decision at The Farmington Mercury: we’re not trying to break the news first. We aim to be the last source you need to read, providing depth and clarity that other outlets miss. Our motto—“Always last… to breaking news”—captures this perfectly. In a world of constant notifications, we offer something different: thoughtful journalism that respects your time.

As Ken Auletta explains in his book Frenemies: The Epic Disruption of the Ad Business and Everything Else, the media has become trapped in the “interruption” economy, constantly vying for your attention. But we believe Farmington deserves better than that. Instead of clickbait, we’re creating stories that inform and empower. As Auletta puts it, today’s media “needs to stop interrupting and start connecting”—and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Rather than chasing after breaking news, we focus on slow journalism that digs into the why behind local decisions. We cover issues like zoning laws, education, and business in ways that impact your life here in Farmington. Auletta notes that we live in a time of “too much information and too little attention to allocate to it.” That’s why we’re offering news that cuts through the noise, giving you context, insight, and stories that matter.

And while technology, including AI, helps us streamline our work, it can’t replace the human heart that beats at the core of our stories. As Auletta warns, “Humans are no match for what the machine can do” when it comes to automation, but storytelling is, and always will be, human. Here at The Mercury, we ensure that empathy and nuance are central to every article we produce.

We believe that Farmington deserves more than soundbites. You deserve thoughtful journalism that informs you about the issues shaping your life—without the rush. So, brew your coffee, settle in, and let The Farmington Mercury be your go-to for the stories that matter most.

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Best regards,
Peter Cellino – Publisher
The Farmington Mercury
(Still on my fourth cup of coffee—how many cups before I break the news first?)

P.S. If you want to know what’s happening in Farmington beyond zoning laws, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered on everything from local elections to historic preservation. Check out our editorials for deeper dives, or learn more about us. Got something to sell? We’ve got a For Sale section just for you!

Need more? Whether it’s local politics (Farmington Elections 2024), law enforcement updates (Law Enforcement), or even high school happenings (Farmington High School), we’ve got a category for that. Explore our coverage on the Historic District Commission, Wetlands Committee, and even Zoning issues, because let’s face it, zoning is thrilling when you do it our way.

Oh, and if you’re wondering where to get the good stuff: Subscribe here and never miss a beat. Or if you’re old-school and prefer human interaction, contact us. We don’t bite… much.