A Difficult Job Done Well

To the Editor:

As a former social studies teacher, I’ve always had a cerebral appreciation of the roll of a free and independent press in maintaining democracy. However, since serving on the Legislative Council, I’ve developed a visceral knowledge that without an independent press, the flow of information can be severely restricted. The Newtown Bee provides a necessary impartial source of information about town news.

During the last 18 months I’ve been to a lot of meetings and read the minutes of many others I couldn’t attend. I’ve found that Bee coverage has been accurate and fair, not most of the time — all of the time.

In particular, I’d like to thank Kendra Bobowick for her coverage of developments at Fairfield Hills, Andrew Gorosko for articles about town boards and commissions, Eliza Hallabeck for reports of school news, Andy Hutchison for wearing Kim Harmon’s mantle so gracefully, and Nancy Crevier for skillfully written special features. However, my special gratitude goes to John Voket for his courage in writing several investigative articles, and Curtiss Clark, editor, who’s guided The Bee with a steady and humane hand for several years.

As many newspapers visibly shrink and others go out of business, The Newtown Bee remains a robust source of local news. Bee coverage gives citizens needed information, and holds those in town government accountable. My thanks to the entire Bee staff for a difficult job done well.

Sincerely,

Jan Lee Brookes

Legislative Council - District 3

38 Hundred Acres Road, Newtown                               April 12, 2009