Letters, we get letters

The opinion pages of the Sentinel are intended to be a forum for citizens to express their opinions on issues of importance in the community. The letters to the editor are a way for citizens to make their concerns known to the public at large and to the elected and appointed officials who are responsible for running their towns.

Greater Media Newspapers has had a long-standing policy that during election campaigns we do not publish letters to the editor from candidates or from their campaign managers. The opinion pages are not a free campaign promotion for one political party or the other.

Years ago the campaign season ran from Labor Day to Election Day. These days the campaign season runs from May (before the primary election) through November. If we chose to, we could sometimes fill our pages with letters from candidates and campaign managers, with rebuttals to those letters, and rebuttals to the rebuttals. That is not what we choose to do.

Certainly, many public officials run for office and serve because they want to give back to their communities. While that is commendable, we have found that come election time, these candidates typically have three things to say. One, they want to bash their opponents. Two, they want to announce an initiative they would pursue if elected. Or three, they want to say how great they are, without saying what they will do if elected.

If a candidate wants to slam an opponent, he should buy an advertisement. If a candidate wants to announce an initiative or a platform, he should call the managing editor and ask for coverage of the issue as a news story. If it is deemed worthy of news coverage, that is the way it will be pursued. If a candidate wants to sell himself, he should consult with a public relations executive.

Campaign managers are not running for office, and few ordinary citizens really care who they are or what they have to say. They should remain behind the scenes and let the candidates do the talking in press releases, news stories and public comments.

With the silly season upon us, Greater Media Newspapers felt this was as good a time as any to reiterate its policies regarding political letters. We do want to provide space on our letters pages for many voices — and even sitting politicians are welcome to discuss important issues of interest and concern to residents in a logical and reasoned fashion — but this space is not going to be a stop-off for anyone on the campaign trail.