Michael [Deery, the comptroller's principal aide] mentioned your recent successes at the New York Press Association Convention, and I read the associated article in your newspaper. Congratulations!

The "Better Newspapers" awards you received, and particularly, the "Writer of the Year" award recognize what I have known all along; both of you are superior journalists. More importantly, you are both caring people and your commitment to enriching the lives of your readers clearly comes across in your papers.

As someone who enjoys wine, I read your Long Island Winery stories with keen interest!

Again, congratulations.