EDITORIAL

Elections seem to come around every few months in these parts, and with that we want to reiterate our letters policy.

We do not print letters – whether pro or con – in the Hays Free Press edition immediately before an election. With Kyle’s regular election as well as the Hays CISD school board trustees election coming up on May 8, the last edition for letters to the editor to be printed is April 28.

Why does this newspaper have such a policy? It comes to us from the Canadian government, which does not allow political rhetoric over the airwaves before a race, to give a sense of calm, and allow candidates to answer any last minute questions that might have been raised.

That seems to us a civil way to allow candidates to get out their messages and qualm any false rumors. While most letters to the editor seem to be positive, we have experienced some with a bit of rancor and falsehoods. Candidates need a chance to answer the charges, and to face their detractors.

So, get the letters in early. Remember to include a daytime phone number. Yes, we do check to make sure you actually sent the letter.

A note of clarification
The listing of the salaries of the top 25 officials in Hays County, which ran in the March 17 edition, needs a little explanation. The list included countywide officials, plus local city and school officials. The Hays Free Press does not include salaries from other school districts in the county, or from other cities outside of our readership area.

While the officials might not like their salaries printed in the newspaper, it is definitely news and definitely public information. Some residents consider the salaries a compliment, others complain about the rates. Regardless, these salaries come at taxpayers’ expense and taxpayers have a right to know what their officials are paid.

The Hays Free Press is the only newspaper in Hays County which publishes these salaries on an annual basis. We feel it is worth the effort and worth you knowing.