During the primary election, I decided as the editor to hold a letter from the sheriff concerning a foul up that issued a complaint against a resident. I chose to wait to run it because the sheriff was a candidate and it would have been unfair to put one candidate in the paper when the other candidate was not going to get any ink. It was solely my decision.
After the votes were cast, I ran the letter and an explanation as to why I had held the letter for a week.
Recently I received an anonymous typewritten note detailing how holding the letter was a disservice to voters and that had they known about the situation prior to the election, the incumbent might not have been reelected.
Horsefeathers. First, the vote was pretty lopsided. I don’t think a mislodged complaint or letter of apology would have turned it. Second, had I run the letter when it was received, the losing side would have come back and said it was because the incumbent had a letter in the paper and the challenger did not.
I was damned if I did, damned if I didn’t. But I made a decision and I stand by it. I have been in this industry a long time and have been mentored by some of the best in the business. It was a solid, ethical decision.
Then, closed circuit to the writer. Unsigned letters do not get printed in the paper. If you believe what you write, sign your name to it. I believe I know who sent it and the agenda behind it. I hope the days of you-scratchmy- back-I’ll-scratchyours politics are gone in this county.
Maybe I’m looking at things with rosy glasses on. But I can hope.
On other topics, the July city council meeting is coming up. If you have an idea, a suggestion, a question, don’t be afraid to ask or comment at the meeting. I checked, and they don’t flog participants.
It has been my observation that the council listens to suggestions and considers them. I believe that is how the city returned to picking limbs and other greenery up every other month. Someone suggested it and the council considered it, then acted on the suggestion. It takes a little while – all government runs slowly, even a small-town city council – but it is done properly and by statute.
Now, if someone goes in there with a grouch on and calls the council members everything except children of God, it probably isn’t going to go very well. But a dignified, well thought out discussion of a citizen issue won’t be dismissed as unimportant.
I believe the council members want to know what residents think and would like to see happen in their town. Go ask them. The worst that can happen is they say ‘No.’
The ‘No’ goes on the record, and so does inaction. It also serves as a template for stronger arguments for the next issue or desire. And an informed, involved citizenry is what our Republic is all about.