The Reporter is asking our readers to tell us what you want from your hometown newspaper.

And more. The survey will help us shape our product, and understand how our community does business as we partner with local merchants and other advertisers to foster a strong, local economy.

Share your views with us, and you will be entered into a $1,000 cash drawing and a $500 gift certificate for Fred Meyer.

“As the hometown newspaper serving Covington, Maple Valley and Black Diamond, we are the primary communication source for the area,” said sales manager Rhonda Madison. “Providing relevant local information to our readers is of utmost importance.”

Partnering with us in our market research is Pulse Research of Portland, Ore., an independent firm that works with media and retailers nationwide.

The survey is on our website at www.maplevalleyreporter.com, and will provide valuable feedback to the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter staff.

What do you enjoy about your newspaper? What would you like to see change? How can we better serve the community?

The survey results will also help your local businesses better market their goods and services.

Questions include reader preferences for local news and other media; consumer preferences for local and regional shopping; household purchasing plans for goods and services; your family choices for entertainment and travel and basic household demographic information.

We ask you to logon to our website to take the survey. All responses will be kept confidential.

“We look forward to hearing from our readers about what their interests are,” said Madison. “Making sure the local newspaper’s print and online editions are tailored to our readers needs ensures a strong and healthy relationship, based on community interests.”