You’re part of the story — welcome to The Independence

Dear Readers,

Wherever we Americans come from, we tend to see our home as unlike anywhere else. This is often hyperbole, but not in Bucks County. It has been exceptional for as long as our nation has existed. Longer, even.

Founding Bucks in 1682, William Penn named it after Buckinghamshire, his family’s English home county. On Christmas of 1776, General George Washington assembled his troops in what is now Upper Makefield Township and led them across the Delaware River to attack Hessian outposts in Trenton.

Two and a half centuries later, Bucks remains nationally consequential.

During last year’s presidential campaign, The Washington Post presciently called it “the biggest swing spot” in Pennsylvania. The Washington Times dubbed it “ground zero in a must-win battleground state.” Last November, it became the only southeastern Pennsylvania county to back a Republican presidential candidate in 12 years, despite experiencing a blue wave on the local level the previous year. No one knows its political future for certain.

This unique place merits a media outlet dedicated to covering its affairs vigilantly, factually, and thoughtfully, free of tired journalistic prepossessions. We at Broad + Liberty and WBCB 1490 are thus launching The Bucks County Independence to bring you a sharp source of news and commentary relevant to citizens from Bensalem to Riegelsville.

A project this ambitious demands the the best editorial team in our region to deliver this coverage. With our editors’ and correspondents’ many combined decades of experience and manifold accomplishments, we confidently offer just that. Expanding on our earlier efforts, we present a web publication that values freethinking, patriotism, and integrity — made especially for the 646,000 people who call this beauteous corner of Pennsylvania home.

In this era of coarseness and razzle-dazzle, it’s also worth noting what we will not feature: sensationalism or intemperance for their own sake. Too much shrill, radical noise rings through the media atmosphere already. Bucks Countians deserve clarity, not distortion.

But while being gracious, we will not be shy. Broad + Liberty readers and WBCB listeners know our record as watchdogs. We will continue to call out folly and corruption on the part of area officials and institutions wherever we find them.

As we journey through this extraordinary place, we hope you’ll join us. Visit www.bucksindependence.com.

With regards,

Terry Tracy

CEO | Broad + Liberty

Brad Vasoli

Senior Editor | The Bucks County Independence