The annual Best of Jackson reader's choice awards began in the very first issue of the Jackson Free Press. We started the paper for two reasons (which are really the same thing): (1) to tell the whole truth about this region that no other media would report, positive or not, and (2) to celebrate all that is great about a city that so many people had dumped on for so long.

When we published the first issue, and the first Best of Jackson ballot, in fall 2002, you could find very little positive in local media about the city. The news was filled with sensationalistic crime reporting (still is, too often), and other media outlets constantly hyped fatalistic myths such as nightlife is "non-existent" in downtown Jackson (looking at you, Ledger).

There was also no talk of the need to "think global, shop local" until we started immediately urging that mentality in our first few issues. Why would other media outlets urge Jacksonians to support our own? Most of them are owned by corporations out of town, too, and make money off big-box conglomerates. Local isn't their business plan.

Our attitude was, and still is, that we have got to take care of our own, believe in ourselves and each other, and tell the truth even if it stings people with their own quiet agendas. And a huge truth for Jackson is that thinking local first is key to our future. A strong locally owned business community is vital to Jackson being a place where people want to live, invest, raise kids and build strong communities. It is up to each of us to make sure that we are supporting and celebrating the diversity of people and businesses that make Jackson authentic.

That is exactly why we put the word "Jackson" in the name of our newspaper, and it is why we put a "Best of Jackson" ballot in the very first issue. We don't want to tell you who is "best"; we want all of you to decide, and then come together to help us honor this great city. In so doing, it will get greater.

We are happy to see that many people have joined us on this "best" bandwagon (even if some are doing it to try to make money to send to the home office somewhere else). That is sure better than spending all their air time and print space talking about how awful and hopeless the city is. We are very proud of being the media outlet that others try to follow on celebrating what is great about this city.

As always, it is up to each of us individually to figure out how to invest locally in Jackson. It may be by spending a few bucks buying a fabulous Best-of party outfit at Treehouse, Material Girls or Shoe Bar, for instance, or it may be by getting a hip $5 dress at Orange Peel, Repeat Street or Bargain Boutique. That is, it doesn't matter how you support our own; it just matters that you do.