"As an Alfred Friendly Fellow at the Pioneer Press in 1998, I worked in its newsroom for five months, and I believe this is a beautiful paper that maintains high standards of journalism. Minnesota will lose its identity once St Paul Pioneer Press is shut down."

"We need a St. Paul paper. It has been written for the people of St. Paul. The Minneapolis paper doesn't read as well as the Dispatch and after all it is the capitol of the state."

"Please keep the Pioneer Press Newspaper in the right hands! "

"My first job was at the Pioneer Press. There is so much talent in that newsroom, and spirit. Besides that, I value living in a two-newspaper town; it keeps me on my feet and keeps us all honest. "

" Keep hope alive "

"I am an international student, and I know how vital competing newspapers are for the public. The US public tends to be under-informed anyhow, and losing the Pioneer Press would only lead to more monopolized and one-sided news coverage in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities NEED the Pioneer Press!"

"I have worked for the pioneer press for 7 1/2 years. I like my job, and it enables me to be home and raise my children. I know that alot of readers that I deliver our newspaper to want to see the Pioneer Press thrive and stay in tact. PLEASE keep the Pioneer Press going......we ALL need you!!! Thank you, Jennifer Beck"

"We need a St Paul paper!! We need a local (St Paul) presence. The Star & Trib is not my kind of paper. They would loose me as a customer. "

"My first job ever was to deliver the Dispatch-Pioneer Press. My last job was to write a column for the Pioneer. This truly has been a 60-year affair of the heart."

"Competition is healthy. A one-newspaper town would be the surest road to mediocrity in local print journalism. "

"A healthy democracy requires robust debate to stay strong. A competitive news environment is the best guarantor for such a debate. Reinvigorate the Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune will only be better for it."

"I grew up reading the Pioneer Press, and continue to get it today. It would be a great loss personaly as well as to community to lose the Pioner Press. Count me as a supporter!"

"The Twin Cities need 2 competitive newspapers. The Pioneer Press covers the East Metro and Western Wisconsin better than the Strib ever could. "

"I think it is of upmost importance to continue to have a vibrant Pioneer Press newspaper. St. Paul is the capital city. It is a distinct community. If the St. Paul Pioneer Press is not there as competition for Star and Tribune, ultimately the quality of the Star and Tribune will be reduced. "

"Me and my wife have long subscribed to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. We see it as our local newspaper and we believe in a diverse press. "

"I buy a paper every morning and read it with coffee. My business does a lot of business with the state. The Pioneer Press is a key source of information for me."

"Hello, I grew up in St. Paul and are still hoping to live there again. St. Paul is different from Minneapolis, I like to think it's more civilized with less of an "anything goes" attidude, more proper and well mannered, has it's priorities straight. St. Paul has it's rough spots, but I go there every week almost for the last 10 years and I see these areas are turning towards the better rather than getting worse. I hope the owner's of the Pioneer Press will not just sell to the highest bidder, etc. Quality does matter in the long run. That's what will keep us readers buying the paper, to read if for it's quality, the way we see St. Paul. "

"My family in Western Wisconsin has subscribed to your paper for dozens of years!! My elderly mother would especially miss her morning reading and crossword and Bulletin Board!! Also, my niece is an employee!! Please save our paper!!"

"Never have I been so proud to be a Pioneer Press employee as I was when the paper was awarded one of its Pulitzer Prizes. I'm looking forward to many more years of prize-winning journalism from Minnesota's first (and best) newspaper. "

"Sell the Pioneer Press to the buyers most committed to keeping the paper a vital part of life in the east metro: The journalists and professionals who work there."

"Growing up in the Twin Cities, including as a newspaper boy, I love the Twin City newspapers - both of them. I read them now from London, England. Please ensure that original and local reporting survives at the St Paul Pioneer Press. Such freedom of the press thrives on friendly all-American competition, and the resulting output is vital to the local and global communities. Best regards. Joe Ferraro"

"In support of a local St.Paul paper and the journalists and professionals who work there."

"Save the paper ! There is an offer from the union/workers who know the value of the paper and it's contribution to the local area. This is their livelihood and they all have families to support."

"The Pioneer Press is truly the writers' paper. When I think of all the wonderful voices that have emerged from the Pioneer Press, it saddens me to think of our wonderful city losing such a fantastic presence. Losing this paper means we'll cut off this continuing legacy. "

"Good for you! I hope this works out for all of us. I have been reading the Press since I was a kid, and it's the only paper I buy! I wish I could be an outside investor, as this would be worthwhile investment!"

"Save the Pioneer Press!"

"The Pioneer Press is a paper worth saving. We need ownership that understands what it takes to create high quality journalism, not immediate profits."

"This is, and always has been a great newspaper. What makes this paper great is the passion found everyday - in the employees. Saint Paul needs a Saint Paul newspaper. Always has, always will. Looking forward to many more editions of a Pulitzer Prize winner. PH "

"The Pioneer Press has a wonderful history of arts coverage -- the Twin Cities would be a much duller place indeed without the Saint Paul paper's dedication to excellent reviews and features about our outstanding creative community."

"I support the staff & the quality writing that comes out of the Pioneer Press."

"In the Twin Cities, we have been privileged to have two great papers. I hope that happy situation will continue. Long live the St. Paul Pioneer Press!"

"Long time subscriber to both Twin Cities newspapers and find the SPPPD to be an important independent voice."

"I can live without the Editorials, but not without Sudoku!!! Give us this day our Daily Life, and lead it not into destruction."

"The Twin Cities have profited by having two strong major newspapers --- the Pioneer Press and the Star-Tribune. It is --- and ought to be unthinkable --- that our state capital might be without a major newspaper. Its coverage of state politics and of our capital city has been important and necessary. To lose the St. Paul newspapers would be a major setback for St. Paul and Minnesota."

"I encourage you to look out for the best interest of promoting a strong newspaper in the Pioneer Press. It needs to be sold to those who have this in mind. "

"We love our city newspaper. It reflects who St. Paul and its people are. I don't ever feel that with the Star Trib. Please continue the long tradition of a St. Paul paper."

"I have lived in St. Paul all my life. The Pioneer Press is as important to me as The Cathedral of St. Paul. The newspaper is our Pioneer. I don't want to see the quality of this newspaper fade into the night. The articles and the quality of the writing far exceeds many other papers. I grew up in the era of Oliver Towne, and Don Boxmeyer - great writers and hot columns. Now we have Joe Soucheray and the Bulletin Board - it is a community paper and keeps us togetther on the same page - excuse the pun. My husband reads the Trib, but he like the funnies in MY Press! Please be conscious of the value of our newspaper and the people it serves when selecting new owners of the Pioneer Press. Thanks, Mary Ann Johnson"

"Former Pioneer Press Online Sales Manager As one who grew up reading the Pioneer Press and Dispatch, losing this newspaper would be a loss of historical proportion. Good luck to all of you at the Pioneer Press."

"I have read and enjoyed the Pioneer Press for over 35 years. It is an excellent newspaper and we need to keep it's integrity going for our community!"

"I refuse to buy the Competitor's newspaper becaue it does not give equal ccoverage to the st. Paul and north metro residents. I know of others that feel the same way. PLEASE SAVE the PIONEER PRESS. It is our conection to the news. WE NEED YOU!"

"Even though St. Paul is the capitol city, I am concerned about it becoming a forgotten city. We need good coverage of the east Metro, something the Pioneer Press does. "

"My husband and I purchase 2 -3 papers per week from our local gas station or grocery store. We prefer The Pioneer Press over the StarTrib. Should the Pioneer Press cease to exist, we will not purchase the starTrib."

"Subscriber to the Pioneer Press for 20 years."

"The Twin Cities need two quality major newspapers for journalistic integrity and fairness! The community statement above has the full support of myself and that of many of my family and friends."

"It was hard enough to lose the Dispatch. I cannot imagine not having the Press as a separate entity, a separate voice. It is more than a newspaper - it is an identity - and we do not need have it become the victim of identity theft. "

"I am from the cities and continue to read the Pioneer Press on-line. "

""Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone ...""

"I am a reporter at the Pioner-Press's sister paper in Fort Worth. Like the Twin Cities, this is a two-newspaper region. I know that having two competitive newspapers has been a huge benefit to this area, and I know it must be the seem in St. Paul. I hope the Pioneer Press finds good owners. "

"Newspaper journalism in the Twin Cities faces an important crossroads with the pending sale of the Pioneer Press. Nationally, we have seen competition sacrificed and journalistic integrity compromised, so a major ownership change naturally raises concern. Minnesotans take their tradition of high-quality news standards seriously, and we will stand proudly with the award-winning Pioneer Press staff in the effort to preserve those standards. As a strong believer in worker ownership of businesses, I think it would be wonderful if newspaper employees could gain a stake in their company."

"I have been a subscriber for over 40 years as an individual and my company for over 30 years. We need to continue to have the Pioneer Press coverage by people who understand our areas. It is especially important for my company to have two opinions on what's happening."

"Great journalism only happens in cities where reporters are in competition. Keeping the Pioneer Press strong will keep the Star Tribune strong. "

"The Twin City area needs two papers to avoid too much political sway from one side; a balance is much preferable."

"I have enjoyed the Pioneer Press since moving here 10 years ago. I hope and pray the sale of the paper does not affect the quality. Best Wishes!"

"Gary Pruitt's true commitment to good journalism will be tested in how he handles the sales of the 12 newspapers. Their fate is in his hands; his legacy will be directly determined by the type of buyer to whom he sells them. "

"I have been reading the St. Paul Pioneer Press for more than 60 years; since elementary school. It is the only paper I've ever subscribed to and can't imagine life without my daily SPPP. We here in Western Wisconsin rely on the Poineer Press to get the news from our state government in Madison that affects our daily lives. Please insure that the Pioneer Press continues to be the strong leader and quality newspaper we have come to rely upon."

"I used to live in Minneapolis and worked for two years for the St. Paul Pioneer Press as a reporter. It is a wonderful newspaper and a very important part of the Twin Cities -- definitely worth saving!"

"This newspaper has been around more than 150 years, and for a reason. Here's to 150 more!"

"I support the preservation of the Pioneer Press as it has existed. It is a quality newspaper and from news accounts of the sale has been a newspaper that not only provides quality services, but has made a profit for the stock holders. While I know change is always difficult, I support change that is for the better. Keeping the Pioneer Press as the daily newspaper for St. Paul and the East Metro creates that change for the better. Thanks to everyone at the Pioneer Press. Salvador Miranda"

"Best paper in town."

"The Pioneer Press has done a stellar job in reporting on race, and hiring people of color. We need their commitment and energy to continue in this area. "

"Former Pioneer Press business team leader"

"St. Paul, Minnesota's capital city, and its citizens need their own newspaper. "

"I believe that competition is healthy, and that the Pioneer Press provides a unique perspective on the St. Paul community. I also believe that employees who have a personal investment in a newspaper or any company are better employees."

"I support the sale of the newspaper to Yucaipa and the union."

""Only bread and the newspaper we must have, whatever else we do without." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes"

"We need the Pioneer Press to keep Twin City News fair and competitive"

"We absolutely need two papers in the Twin Cities. It is a disservice to all Minnesotans, especially those of us living in St. Paul and the surrounding areas, to NOT have a paper in addition to the Star Tribune."

"we need to keep a vibrant paper in the area. Please sale to someone who will keep the paper here,save yoiur emploees jobs."

"Your paper has always put the Trib to shame."

"I am seventy eight years old. I have been reading the St. Paul Pioneer Press for as long as I can remember. It has been an integral part of my life, and things just wouldn't be the same, if the paper were to change or end. "

"Everyone says we need two newspapers in the Twin Cities and to have two papers benefits so many people and businesses, so let's raise our voices, take action and make McClatchy sell responsibly. There is too much at risk otherwise."

"This paper is part of the heart and soul of this community. The readers of St. Paul depend on what we do everyday. The competitive spirit that exists between both papers make them both stronger and more vibrant. Take care with this unique position that exists in the Twin Cities. Our community and our world needs more than one viewpoint and the stronger both papers are the better things are for our communities."

"A strong and competitive Pioneer Press will encourage better journalism on both sides of the river and, in doing so, better serve the needs of people throughout the greater metro area and Western Wisconsin. The Minneapolis Star and Tribune deserves the chance to make what is already a good paper even better. I urge you to keep the Pioneer Press a strong and vital part of the community."

"As a Saint Paul resident and former employee of the Pioneer Press, I cannot stress enough the importance of saving this great newspaper. During my tenure at the Press (almost 27 years), the outstanding, gutsy journalists won three Pulitzer Prizes. It would be a terrible loss to Saint Paul as well as the whole East Metro area and even the entire Metro area to lose this important voice. "

"As a Wisconsin transplant in 1995 settling in White Bear Lake, we had the opportunity to look at both the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press to determine what paper would cover the news we were looking for. The Pioneer Press had more of the local news and flavor that felt more like a hometown paper than a big city paper. To many that is an invaluable aspect of the Pioneer Press. Let's keep it going."

"Because I have been a St. Paulite (East) all my life, the Pioneer Press is the only paper I care to read. Although I have read others, this one cannot compare. I am worried that the sale will put the Press into the wrong hands and undo everything that has raised it to the be one of the best in the country. St. Paul deserves a good paper, and the Pioneer Press is that, so I urge that it be sold to people who will keep it as it has always been and retaining all the excellent people who work there. "

"I love the Pioneer Press. "

"I have read the Pioneer Press for years and would hate to see a lesser newspaper!"

"St. Paul needs a paper and ownership that will be dedicated to the news of its city and suburbs. Keep it local and keep it high quality."

"In some countries they silence journalists with guns. But the pathological pursuit of profits can achieve the same result. Let's fight for employee ownership, and keep this paper out of the hands of a company or group of management that doesn't care about good journalism. Chris Serres"

"I can't imagine what it would be like to NOT have a Pioneer Press. I love the paper and really love the fact that it is NOT centered on Minneapolis news. Count me on your support team. "

"It is very important to have two newspapers in the Twin Cities."

"Overall this seems like it violates anti-monopoly laws. It is not fair for competition and for all of those who depend on The Pioneer Press for their livelihood. "

"What a mistake it would be to lose the Pioneer Press."

"The Twin Cities will suffer innumerably should they become dominated by one newspaper. The Pioneer Press needs a new owner who will not only maintain the paper's current state, but invest more in the institution and it's quality journalism."

"I am a St Paul native who grew up reading the St Paul Pioneer Press. Home town papers are the heart of a community. SAVE THE PIONEER PRESS!"

"I became a journalist because of my experience as a copy aide at the Pioneer Press. It's a newspaper that has been dedicated to quality journalism and that can't be lost."

"I love this paper. It has meant so much to me and my learning of what is going on in the world."

"We have had the paper delivered for over 20 years and hope it will continue to serve our community. "

"The need for continuing in-depth coverage of life in St. Paul and the East Metro area is self- evident. I, as a resident of Western Wisconsin and longtime PP subscriber, would like to emphasize the continuing need for a newspaper to give conscientous reporting of our area. The Pioneer Press has done this consistently with great care and effectiveness. The Community Columnist program of the PP exemplified this continuing concern. I had the honor of being selected as a Community Columnist in 2000. I was thus able to provide personalized input from the vantage point of Western Wisconsin. We need the Pioneer Press in our lives. "

"We have really liked the Pioneer Press and hope that that paper can continue to be the type of quality paper that we enjoy reading."

"I believe that we need outstanding high quality newspapers in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I live in Menomonie, WI and we have a by weekly paper called the Dunn county news and I find it a poor quality paper. It has many one sided stories, that are poorly written. The ink on the paper is so badly graded you can get it on your clothes by simply just touching it. I enjoy reading the Pioneer Press because it is a very well organize paper to read and the print doesn't come off like the Dunn County News does. "

"It is my sincere wish and hope that the sale of the Pioneer Press will be of benefit to the many, many readers who have so enjoyed getting their news from. I cannot even fathom St. Paul being a one-paper town. We here in small town Wisconsin find it critical to have a competitive market from which to get a broad, innovative, critical, and a more "fair and balanced" news source. It is imperative to maintain a modicum of balance in the newspapers. As lately there are too many that tend to favor one side of the political spectrum. Please choose very carefully the buyer of this long in good-standing newspaper, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, to assure that the doorsteps and mailboxes of our homes will continue to welcome this gem. "

"When employees step forward to take control over their future, we must all show support."

"Dear Mr. Pruitt, Tell me when to divest of the Pioneer Press and 11 other Knight Ridder daily newspapers sometime later this year. I remind you to pre- serve the history of newspaper publishing in Minnesota and help transform the Pioneer Press into a more viable daily newspaper as part of McClatchy's planned purchase of KR. All the best - Mark"

"Though I live in Minneapolis and read the Star Tribune, I feel there should continue to be a strong two-paper presence in the Twin Cities. The Pioneer Press is the oldest newspaper in Minnesota and must be preserved."

"St. Paul and its citizens cannot afford to lose our hometown newspaper. For years, the Pioneer Press has worked with our teachers and children through educational partnerships and newspaper supplements. With an emphasis in the city on lifelong reading, such a loss would be heartbreaking. Let's not let this happen. "

"The Twin Cities are not identical twins. The Pioneer Press has done a great job of relaying the news and personality of the eastern twin for my entire life. I cannot imagine starting a day without reading the SPPP. It is an essential component in maintaining the individuality of the Twin Cities. If the day comes when the Pioneer Press ceases to be the voice of St. Paul, I'll have to stop reading the paper. No offense to Minneapolis, but I wouldn't subscribe to the Strib if it was being given away for free."