Local Coverage: What Readers Say

Readers liked the Extras, though only one said she liked the tabloid format. Others liked the idea of a broadsheet. Linda Curry Howard of Frederick wants an Extra section just for Frederick, which is now included in the Montgomery Extra. Toni Tumonis wants more space in the Extras for letters from readers.

Hendrika Vande Kemp of Annandale clips items from her Extra regularly and would love to see it behind the Metro section instead of behind the Home section. Ellen Harland of Falls Church is distressed that Falls Church "was summarily removed [from the Alexandria/Arlington Extra] and dumped into Fairfax. Whoever made that decision to remove us from that neighborhood probably did not live in Falls Church City."

An Alexandria resident asked for an annual environmental protection section in the Extras, as well as more local theater news, and suggested that The Post do an annual survey of readers' opinions on local coverage and report on it in the paper.

Elaine Povich, a freelance journalist, and reader Ed Steinhouse want more coverage of Howard County. "The [Baltimore] Sun devotes an entire broadsheet section, nearly every day, to Howard County. The Post's weekly section just doesn't do it for me. I think making the Extra sections a broadsheet is a good idea, and increasing them to twice a week," Povich said.

Steve Levine of Arlington wants to see more Extra features on young people not just in sports but also in high school theater and orchestras.

B.D. Moran of Loudoun commends The Post for "its fine coverage of veteran issues locally in D.C., Maryland and Virginia." He would like more stories about "heroism, generosity and achievements of ordinary citizens."

Lee Larsen wants more coverage of the Eastern Shore of Maryland: "The world should not stop at the edge of the Bay Bridge."

Virginia Johnson, a District resident who works for a nonprofit organization, believes The Post "seems relentlessly geared for the metro area Washingtonian whose income averages at least $75,000. The Post is staffed with people who literally have no idea what it is like to be poor, not now or ever."

Michael Feldman of Montclair is "very grateful" for the local coverage, wishes "more coverage was given Prince William County, but I understand the challenges that are faced by your organization."

Feldman has The Post delivered to his classes on Virginia and U.S. history at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas. "These students have become newspaper readers of the first order," he said. Thank you, Mr. Feldman. Newspapers need all the young readers they can get.

Deborah Howell can be reached at 202-334-7582 or at ombudsman@washpost.com.