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We had so hoped to be standing in front of the White House someday, our right hand in the air, about to become the first weekly paper to serve as president of the United States. We'd even picked out shoes (strappy, sparkly shoes) for the inaugural ball.

But now, dear readers, that seems like a fleeting fantasy. More than half of the people who responded to last month's reader poll think the Insider shouldn't be president. We could totally tip the scales with some baby-kissing and speechmaking, but we're going to be too darn busy.

You've given us a lot to do.

Last month's survey asked readers to tell us what they like, what they hate and what they'd like to see more of in the Insider. About 200 people responded, and we'd like to thank you all. We were assembling 200 fruit baskets, but the Cruel Oppressor (grrrrr) put the kibosh on that idea. So we're writing this column instead.

Your responses have made us think long and hard about how to make the Insider even better. Some of you asked us not to change a thing. You like the calendar, the food reviews, the old photographs and our focus on local people, local news and local events. Updates on road work and traffic detours, the cryptogram and our array of ads for small businesses were popular too.

"The Insider is the best thing that's happened to Concord since Granite State Candy came to town," one person wrote. "Reading the Insider while eating some of Granite State's candy is the closest thing to heaven that you can get."

Others called us "quick and to the point," "entertaining as well as informative," and, simply, "great."

Some responses were more critical - but critical like your best friend is critical when she tells you that, yes, you really are too old to wear those jeans. One poll-taker urged us to "better live up to (our) name . . . by delving more deeply into current issues facing the greater Concord area."

Some of you asked us to get edgier. Others wished we were more straight-laced. You hinted that we might be a tad self-involved, and that, lately, it feels like we're recycling the same old stuff.

"Stale columns," one person wrote. "You need (a) fresh makeover and new voices, new sections."

In response, we've developed a few new features we'd like to tell you about, but first, allow the Insider to throw itself on your collective mercy.

We never, ever in a million years meant to sadden, offend, anger or annoy you by putting the police log on hiatus. (Nor did we mean to dis the Concord PD. We love you guys!) We pulled the log in hopes of making space for other features.

Our bad.

An overwhelming number of you begged us to change our minds. "Really enjoyed the humorous crime reports," wrote one respondent. "It got a lot of attention at CHS during lunch." Another reader penned, "Bring back the police log!!! Please? It was hilarious :)"

We're pleased to announce that a brief arrest log will appear in almost every issue (see this week's on page 6.) The map of police calls by sector will publish once a month.

Now, about those new features.

This city is full of small businesses, so full that it's hard to keep track of who's coming and who's going. Did you know, for instance, that the Laundromat on Fisherville Road is open again? On a sadder note, the Lindt Chocolate store at the Steeplegate Mall is no more.

Once a month, we'll let you know who's opening - or closing up - shop in our city. If you have suggestions for businesses we might feature, e-mail news@theconcordinsider.com

The Insider is also going back to school. Sort of. We'd like to devote at least a page a month to the goings on at the city's public and private schools. Is your PTO raising dough for a new playground? Let us know. Are you a high school student with something to say? Drop us a note. Is your first-grade class hatching chickens this spring? Send us a picture.

Families educating their kids at home are also welcome to submit. Again, email news@theconcordinsider.com.

We're also planning monthly reader polls through our website, more features on Concord's nightlife and glimpses into some of the city's secret neighborhoods.

You haven't heard the last about the survey. The Cruel Oppressor and her minions are busily crunching numbers and printing charts. In the meantime, keep those suggestions and submissions coming, because the Insider isn't our paper. It's yours.

Several people who responded to our poll were frustrated that the Insider calendar doesn't include events outside the city. That's true, but the calendar gurus at the Monitor just love events of all kinds. To submit an event, email calendar@cmonitor.com.