Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public officials or written by others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication, its publishers, Editor, or staff.

To the Editor:
Lincoln County supports Operation Green Light
In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, calling on the nation to “solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting and enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”
Now more than ever, our veterans and their families need our support. That’s why Lincoln County will once again participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans, a National initiative designed to shine a light on the service of our veterans.

Lincoln County will illuminate County buildings in green throughout the month of November to remind the veterans and their families in our community that we are here for them.
We encourage individuals and businesses to join us by changing one light bulb in the entryway of your home or business to a green bulb. By shining a green light, you let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused on the week of Veterans Day, we encourage individuals to continue to shine the light year-round.
This Veterans Day, join us in shining a light of hope and support for over 2,000 veterans who call Lincoln County home. Join Operation Green Light and let’s turn Lincoln County green this Veterans Day.

- Matthew Pultz, Veterans Service Officer
Lincoln County, Wis.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY:
• Letters must be 250 words or less. (There will be no exceptions to this. Any letter longer than 250 words will not be printed.)
• The writer must include their full name, complete address, and a phone number where he/she can be easily reached for verification. Phone numbers and street addresses will not be published, but will be used for verification purposes, if necessary. Letters must be signed and the name, city, and state will be printed.
• Letters may be edited for style, grammar, and length.
• We retain complete discretion to determine whether a letter is printed. The First Amendment right to free speech protects speech from government control; it does not give people the right to have their views published in a privately-owned newspaper, or anywhere else for that matter.

• We will not accept letters that make controversial or unsubstantiated claims. This is because we are liable for any false claims we publish, regardless of the source of the claim. Form letters or those we determine to be libelous or slanderous will not be accepted. Any letter deemed derogatory, inflammatory, or involving vulgar language will not be published. We reserve all rights to reject material submitted to this publication.
• Letters will be published on a “first come, first served” basis. Any letters which we are unable to publish in the printed newspaper may be run online at www.merrillfotonews.com and/or may be printed in the paper at a later date.
• In fairness to all, and due to space constraints, there is a limit of two letters per year from an individual writer. Additional letters may be submitted to our Paid Letters to the Editor column and will require payment in full prior to publication at the same rate as Political Letters to the Editor (see policy below).

POLITICAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY:
• Letters to the editor on political issues, with or without a candidate endorsement, including those submitted as an endorsement for a political candidate, referendum, or political agenda will carry the same guidelines as above; however, they will be charged $40.00 per letter of up to 250 words in length plus $10.00 per additional 50 words.

• All political letters must be prepaid prior to printing.
• Letters to the Editor will not be accepted from candidates running for election or representatives of an organization endorsing their own referendum, as these are clearly advertisements and not opinion letters; those submissions will be referred to our Advertising Department to be run as paid ads.