Lagoon pools, cyclones, tourism, the purchase of the Sheraton Mirage, deamalgamation - these are important to the Douglas region. But are they still important to you?

Reporting the news is an interesting industry and is a balance between informing our readers about issues that affect them, and reflecting on issues that are already the talk of the town.

In my time at The Newsport the issues mentioned earlier have generated impressive readership numbers, while generating equally impressive numbers of comments and poll respondents which are watched closely by those in government (both local and state in particular) and other "seats of power."

At the risk of blowing our own trumpet, I'd like to think that The Newsport has helped get your opinions across when action is required or frustration needs to be vented.

But while these issues remain important, it's easy to become somewhat desensitised.

Take the wars raging across the globe or climate change as examples. These are issues that affect millions, if not billions of people. But through ongoing media coverage in the papers, websites, TV, radio, social networks, not to mention mindless bickering between our political parties, they are becoming little more than white noise to many.

So bringing this back to a local level, we're curious. What are the issues that are important to you?

We were somewhat surprised by the reaction of readers on two particular articles.

One was a recent article published on 1 September - Holes in cyclone shelter design. This article highlighted the concerns of residents regarding the apppropriateness of the newly approved, and much needed cyclone shelter. Not one reader commented on what is a major issue which could potentially save (or cost) lives.

Compare that with another article published on 29 July - Old Port Road to close? Around 40 comments were received from readers along with over 300 votes on our poll on a story which was effectively about whether a certain type of vehicle should continue to use a particular stretch of road.

That's not to down play the importance of that issue for those at the centre of the discussion. "Hyper" local issues can cause emotions to run high as much as end-of-the-earth issues.

So what's important to you right now? Pools, storms, or the ref's poor decision that cost your team the match?

Have your say below. And yes, you can be anonymous if you like...just this once, ok?