Hot Pursuit

I want to share about what I consider an amazing accomplishment for our local newspaper that adds value for readers.
This week marks the 20th consecutive week in which we have published letters to the editor on the opinion page under the heading of “Mailbag.” Many of those weeks going back to early November have featured three or more letters in a single issue. Such a streak had never happened in the five-plus years I have owned this newspaper.
In the newspaper world, it’s widely known that a sign of a healthy newspaper is the number of letters generated from readers. If that’s the gauge, it appears we are exceeding the threshold of being a solid and vibrant paper. 
We encourage our readers to write letters. First and foremost, the letters to the editor section offers an outlet to let people know what you think or feel strongly about an issue. It’s an effective way to get the word out to others on just exactly how you feel. 
You can also send a “good news” letter to bring recognition to people who deserve it or acknowledge the success of an effort. It’s no secret that there are a lot of those people and efforts around Blooming Prairie, Owatonna and the rest of the area deserving of such special recognition. 
Letters can take a position for or against an issue or simply inform, or both. They can convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or emotions and facts combined. 
Being a part of our opinion page is a great way to keep an issue going by preventing it from disappearing from the public eye. 
Submitting a letter can be done anytime you want to shape public opinion; tell others how you feel about people, programs or ideas; or just inform the public on a certain issue. Letters are a great way to increase awareness of the issues that you or your organization are working for, as well as to advocate for your cause. 
Of course, we won’t just print anything. We have to watch for libelous statements about other people. We reserve the right to edit the letters, though we most often print them in their entirety. The other big requirement for having a letter printed is that it is signed and we have a way to verify the author. There would only be a rare circumstance in which we would print an unsigned letter. 
The editorial section is widely read by the public and is monitored by elected officials. The underlining goal with allowing this healthy exchange of opinions, whether it’s a letter, staff columns, guest column or editorial written by the newspaper staff, is to create a better community. 
I hope we can keep our streak alive and have at least one letter in every edition. Perhaps it’s time for you to go in hot pursuit of sending us a letter to the editor.