Sit someone who's never visited or heard of Torrington, Conn., down with the front pages of a week's worth of local newspapers, and chances are they won't want to visit.
The only things that happen in Torrington are assaults, vandalism, juvenile delinquency, political infighting, budget cuts and business closings. That's what it seems like from the headlines, right?

But if that was true, why do so many people choose to live here and stay here their entire lives? Why are so many young couples choosing to settle here, to the point where the Chamber of Commerce has even formed a Young Professionals organization to help satisfy their yearning for community involvement?

Why did American City Business Journals rank Torrington, Conn., #1 in the ENTIRE COUNTRY as a "dreamtown" of small city living?

News of that, by the way, did make our front page, although it should have had placement and a headline of the size seemingly reserved for gruesome accidents and crime.
Of course there's good things about Torrington, and there's "good news" happening about the city on a regular basis. We report a lot of it in The Register Citizen, but it can get lost in the perceptions of the reader and the community. The bad news rises to the top because it's shocking and newspaper buyers clamor for it in the same way that we all slow down and stare at a car accident. That's not necessarily a bad thing. We generally like living here, are concerned about things that might disrupt the pleasantness of our surroundings and daily life, and so we want to read about those things. The newspaper provides information about the negative so we can hopefully confront it, learn from it, avoid it in the future.

At the same time, a newspaper has both the power and the responsibility to shine a spotlight on the good in the community, so that we can learn from it as well and be encouraged.

That principle has led us to launch a new endeavor starting this weekend.

"Good News About Torrington" is a new weekly newspaper that will reach every home and business in the city of Torrington. If you get home delivery of The Register Citizen or purchase a copy in Torrington on Sundays, you will receive it along with your Sunday coupons and comics.
The rest of Torrington will receive a copy of Good News About Torrington in the mail.

The first issue will celebrate a summertime Torrington gem, the city swimming pool, and will also feature a profile of the woman who vigilantly enforces downtown Torrington's parking meter restrictions.
Every weekend going forward, you will find similar feature stories about Torrington, human interest profiles of Torrington people, and a host of Torrington-focused local information, including a calendar of events, Parks and Rec Department activities, honor rolls, dean's lists, club and service organization news, local history photos, a weekly Torrington mystery photo contest, new books at the library, columns by local officials and some special opportunities for you to share your thoughts on the good that Torrington has to offer.
We think you'll like it, but please let me know what you think either way. And please send us your suggestions, your news, your calendar items to goodnews@registercitizen.com.
Matt DeRienzo is publisher of The Register Citizen. He can be reached at 860-489-3121, ext. 350, or by email at mderienzo@journalregister.com.