Already during my first week as editor of the Mercer Island Reporter, I’ve seen impassioned Islanders sound off on the proposed $25 million Mercer Island Center for the Arts.

Some Islanders say the city should not seal the deal unless officials initiate an audit of MICA’s financial records and make sure the project is compliant with city codes that protect public wetlands.

Others say the community will benefit greatly from a center for the performing arts — a cultural focal point where people can celebrate excellence in the lively arts, according to MICA’s website.

Watching an issue of this magnitude and community significance unfold is nothing new to me.

During my previous position as editor for the Federal Way Mirror, the community fought for and the city finally approved a $33 million Performing Arts and Event Center on city land in downtown Federal Way. This was a years-long battle between residents and the city.

The issue became so divisive that Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell finally assembled a panel of nine local experts in banking and finance, performing arts and other related areas to review the performing arts center and report their findings to the council.

In May 2014, the panel found that the center was a feasible project for the city to pursue. The city approved moving forward with the project one month later and celebrated the center’s groundbreaking in October 2015.

What did I learn from that experience? That these important issues generally raise controversy and that a community newspaper’s role is integral to the process.

As editor of the Reporter, it is my duty to ensure that voices on both sides of the issue get heard. In the past week, we received a half-dozen letters regarding MICA.

We will publish those letters regardless of those writers’ viewpoints because it’s important for this community to see different perspectives to make an informed decision about the project.

This goes for any issue.

As a newspaper, our role is also to report on issues in a thorough and objective matter, carefully weighing the details so Islanders can make their own decisions.

This is embedded in the core of my philosophy as editor.

I have been in the reporting industry for over 11 years, also serving as regional editor of the Kirkland and Bothell-Kenmore Reporter newspapers from 2008-2013.

An upstate New York transplant, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and four children for over 20 years.

I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to Island issues and will strive to make this newspaper even more relevant to the community.

To do so, I need to hear from  you regarding what issues are important to you and how the Reporter can do a better job covering those issues.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to getting out in the community and meeting you.

I welcome your feedback about this newspaper and, as always, I encourage you to contact me with story ideas and continue to sound off on issues that are important to you.

Contact Carrie Rodriguez, editor, at editor@mi-reporter.com or 425-453-4233.