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Pipestone Flyer letters to the editor guide

The Pipestone Flyer offers a wide variety of stories, photos and information for readers on a weekly basis.
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The Pipestone Flyer

The Pipestone Flyer offers a wide variety of stories, photos and information for readers on a weekly basis. But there is one section that belongs completely to the readers.

Letters to the editor allow readers, residents and ratepayers a chance to voice concerns, bring issues to the attention of their neighbours or comment on articles they’ve read in The Pipestone Flyer, which sets aside space on the pages every week for letters to the editor from readers. As with any publication, The Pipestone Flyer has a few rules regarding letters to the editor.

First, letters won’t be accepted that are obviously promoting or endorsing a for-profit business. That’s what advertising is for. This rule includes political candidate messages or political attacks during any kind of election campaign.

Second, only in special circumstances will letters be accepted that are hand-written. There are just too many exotic styles of handwriting for newspaper staff to decipher. Please email or type your letter before dropping it off if possible.

Third, letters should be no longer than 500 words in length.

Fourth, The Pipestone Flyer does not print opinion columns from elected officials as news content; this includes local municipalities, provincial or federal level politics, school board trustees or any other level of government. It’s sometimes challenging to ensure the columns are objective or something other than political campaigning. Those columns, if they appear in this newspaper, must be placed as a paid advertisement.

When composing your letter to the editor, remember an effective opinion piece begins with one factual basis, for example, “Rachel Notley is premier of Alberta,” then expands on that fact with the writer’s opinion of that fact backed up by evidence and facts, “It’s a shame Notley is premier because she is more concerned with unionizing farm workers than with ending the recession.”

Lastly, the editor reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity or good taste. You may email your letter to the editor to stu.salkeld@pipestoneflyer.ca.