Everyone has heard the naysayers, exuding negativity when they say, “There is nothing good here in Lawrence County or the whole area.”

That could not be farther from the truth.

There are countless great things going on right here in our own backyard, but you have to be willing to open your eyes and truly see the blessings we have.

We hope that the special Profile 2012 edition in today’s newspaper serves as further evidence of the fact our area has so much to offer.

The annual special publication is a monumental undertaking that requires hard work and commitment by all 22 employees, support by our loyal advertisers, the help of our dedicated newspaper carriers and support of the community.

All these come together to make Profile a special project.

Each and every employee deserves credit for his and her part in the success because it could not be done without them.

From stories of area youth with bright futures to citizens who have set tremendous examples by the way they live their lives to businesses that are taking innovative approaches, this entire section is about showcasing how great our region is.

We hope you, the reader, enjoys it as much as we enjoyed producing it for you.

So when someone says “nothing good is going on,” hand them a copy of Profile to prove them wrong.