Updated: Friday, August 8, 2008 2:16 PM PDT

Bookstore owner thrives in a time of change

I was delighted to see The Valley Chronicle give Ron Chalmers of Cameron Books the attention he so richly deserves because it gives me an opportunity to publicly thank him for his 21 years of extraordinary service to the community at large and also to the Hemet and San Jacinto school districts. I know that many, many teachers join me in recognizing his expertise and his generosity.

This is a complicated time in the book business, and it's remarkable that Mr. Chalmers has continued to give the Valley the rare gift of an INDEPENDENT bookstore, despite ever-increasing competition from the large chains and, of course, the Internet. I'm sure that it hasn't been easy!

How fortunate we are that, while independent bookstores are closing in record numbers across the nation, our own Cameron Books is starting a new life at Florida and Cornell. Best wishes to Ron and thank you.

SUZANNE MASTROIANNI

Hemet