To the Editor: The Newtown Bee.The Newtown Bee. You and your reporters know how to craft a story, how to incorporate sources, and how to really cover what matters to your readers. It's something that we take for granted nowadays.

My husband and I moved to Sandy Hook in November, relocating from our relatively longtime residency in Fairfield. One of the (many) pleasant surprises in living up this way has been the quality of the local news coverage, of course by

As a former newspaper editor myself, I'm often saddened by the declining quality in all news coverage, but in local coverage in particular. It used to serve such an important function in not just keeping local government in check, but in its ability to equally feature positive content. It was also a place that gave reporters more leeway to get creative and go deep.

I left the newspaper industry in late 2010 when resources for the two papers I was running became so scant that recruiting (and keeping) adequate talent was impossible. Quality went way down, though I always did my best to maintain the highest standard when it came to writing. But there was absolutely no support from the top. Depth of coverage and quality of writing, it seemed, were secondary considerations for the publishers.

What an absolute pleasure it is to read the stories in

I know why newspapers are hurting, and I don't fault the current editors for the sad state in which the industry is mired. I merely wish to congratulate you and your staff for rising above it.

Thank you.

Frances Moore

27 Tomahawk Trail, Sandy Hook         February 8, 2017