City and school board elections are upon us in just a few weeks, and it seems time to refresh your memory on our letter writing policy.
While we encourage our subscribers to write letters to the editor on local issues, we know that politicans are – even as I write – setting up letter writing campaigns, sending out “talking points” to their supporters, who will invariably just copy and paste the content.
That just doesn’t fly in bulk.
Our letter policy is this – all letters are due by noon Monday prior to publications; letters can be no longer than 350 words; letters must include a daytime phone number for verification purposes; letter writers are limited to one letter per month.
Additionally, for elections, letters about candidates in an election will not be printed in the edition prior to the election.
But even with these requirements, there is always the campaign in which candidates try to “stuff the ballot.”
While we encourage letter writing, we also reserve the right to edit or hold any letters.
What do we edit letters for? Libel, for one. But we also want to engage readers, and with a letter campaign, the same facts get pointed out over and over again.
What should writers do? Try writing your own letter instead of just regurgitating facts from a campaign. Sure, we all know your particular candidate is thrifty, hardworking, honest, dedicated to the city or school district. That’s what all candidates like to think.
Instead, take up a local issue and find out how your candidate feels. What is your candidate’s perspective on a road, on the school bonds, on troubles around town? Tell us a story – in 350 words or less – about how you met this person and your reaction.
And, remember, the publisher retains the right to edit any letter for clarity, libel ... or just because it is redundant.
We welcome your letters.
But we welcome them even more if you take the time to follow these rules.
