Erie Times-News editorials don't pull punches, as a rule, but they rarely take the form of a campaign.

In recent years the newspaper has fully backed such projects as the new bayfront convention center, airport runway expansion at Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, and, before that, construction of Jerry Uht Park.

Conversely, the Times-News has editorialized against what the newspaper's leaders feel is a bad idea -- such as proposed target practice in Lake Erie by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Erie Times-News' editorial board recently met with Coast Guard officials, who had come to town for a public meeting. The explanation offered by officials for the need of the practice sites was so unconvincing and so poorly planned that it prompted a series of negative editorials.

Not often, however, does the newspaper identify an issue and say, "Yes, we need to do this or that," and then keep pounding home the theme for weeks on months on end, That's why the editorial in today's editions on the need for a local community college is significant. The headline says it all: "Erie must have community college."

The 2001 report on Erie County's economic health by consultant Brian Bosworth identified the establishment of a community college as a top priority. It was startling, therefore, when a recent, unscientific GoErie.com poll received more than 1,200 hits, and nearly 62 percent of the respondents answered no to the question "Does Erie County need a community college?"

The Erie Times-News clearly believes that the community does need a community college -- for a number of reasons. That's why, over the course of the next several months, the newspaper's editorials will outline the reasons for establishing such a college. Based on the results of the poll, I doubt that the majority of citizens know what the benefits of a community college would be.

Think of it this way: a decade ago, who would have ever envisioned what a huge success the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine would become? It now ranks as one of the nation's largest medical schools and has become a major force in local economics.

Is it the role of a newspaper to get on the bandwagon for such projects? Here in Erie, at this time, we believe that it is. We feel it goes directly to the newspaper's role as an information provider for the community. Will the newspaper blindly back the community college project, no matter what? Of course not. But it's about the future of the region, and we take our role seriously. If the Times-News can help explain the project, encourage study and foster discussion among citizens, then we'll have done out job.

As always, the readers are a big part of what we do, so we'd like to hear from you. Your input can help shape the coverage and the community.

-- Kevin Cuneo