MIDDLE ISLAND

To the Editor:

The folding of a newspaper is a sobering day in a democracy, but the death of a local newspaper is a personal loss to a community.

For several years, the Longwood community could keep up with what was happening in the area, including the schools, by reading the North Shore Sun. The paper edition ceased months ago, but the publisher continued on with an on-line edition that they kept current.

Without having a real commercial base, Longwood never had a local paper that covered the entire district. The North Shore Sun was the exception, and they did it well.

One-by-one, other weekly papers backed away from Longwood due to the lack of commercial establishments and the advertising dollars they bring. Yes, we have sporadic coverage from locals in certain communities, but The North Shore Sun was the only paper that consistently covered Longwood … all of it.

Regrettably, our relationship will be coming to an end all too soon.  I appreciate that they continued to publish the online edition as long as they did, but I fully understand the economics behind the decision to shut down. As much as a local paper is a service, it’s also a business that has salaries and overhead to meet.

Personally, I’m losing a “colleague” who comes into my office and my home on a daily basis, and Longwood is losing an outlet for news and an unbiased watchdog.

I’ll also miss the fine young journalists who have worked so hard to learn their craft at the Sun, while seeking out stories that have simultaneously brought pride and knowledge to the community. They’ve helped to memorialize our history.

So, it’s a sad goodbye I’m saying to the Sun.

Thank you Grant, Samantha and Jennifer and best wishes to you and to the newspaper industry that is so important to a democracy, and to a community.

Myra Vaughn

Director of Public Relations, Longwood Central School District