I like the updated look of the paper

I’ll start my first letter to you with a positive comment: I like the updated

look of the paper. It’s both reader-friendly and professional in appearance.

The spelling and grammar have also improved.

However, while I understand

the importance of the bottom line in any business, TGI is the only local daily

we have. I would hope that the “top line” could show more concern

for and loyalty to the community it serves.

For instance, Nov. 7’s edition

devotes half of page 5 to three items of little interest to those who live on

Kauai: Separation of twins we don’t know in England, Joan Kennedy’s drunk

driving arrest (who cares?), and a White House news release about Clinton’s

stand on enforcing certain government regulations.

Who decides that

these particular items, out of the hundreds issued daily by Associated Press,

are worthy of that much space in our only local daily newspaper? Most oof us

have access to international news via CNN and/or the web, but remain dependent

on TGI for local island news.

There are so many issues of concern to Kaua’i

residents about which we are not getting enough information. Shouldn’t our

newspaper devote more space to these, including land-use, solid-waste

disposal, political nepotism and crime? There was precious little space

devoted to the ballot issues facing us in today’s elections.

In addition,

the “new” TGI does not appear to be providing adequate space for a

forum in which local issues and controversy can be addressed by citizens of

divergent viewpoints. One example is the coverage of the Kaua’i Humane

Society’s difficulties. Most of what has been printed has only represented one

side of the story and appears to be representing certain persons nursing old

grudges. Are such complex issues being investigated by qualified

reporters?

Are these omissions because of the bottom line’? If so, I am

very concerned for our community.

Finally, I have a request. Back before

your time (you will find examples in your archives, I’m sure) there was a

wonderful column called “Ask Georgia” in which questions from readers

concerning local issues or just hard-to-find information were researched and

answered. Her column truly served the community, and I know I am far from

alone in missing this kind of service.

Thank you for the opportunity to

speak out. I’m a relatively new Kaua’i resident (of nine years).

Lucy

Miller of Lihu’e