From time to time, we get inquiries from our readers as well as from industry spokespeople about our policies concerning the submission of guest opinion pieces. The requests from industry seem to be especially prevelant during legislative sessions. We also deal with routine inquiries about Letters to the Editor and what is and isn’t acceptable. With The Sun recently changing its letters policy, this seems like a good time for us to clarify our policies as well.

• We try to print every acceptable letter that we receive. Occasionally, space considerations prevent this, but all acceptable letters we receive do appear on our Web site, www.kpbj.com.
• We will not print letters that are libelous, involve a personal dispute against an individual or business, insult any minority group or are racist or hateful in nature, don’t concern business or politics in general or something that was previously printed in the paper.
• We will print letters in support of politicians running for office as well as for or against ballot issues, as long as they aren’t part of any obviously organized letter-writing campaign.
• Letters must contain the author’s name, address, and telephone number for varifcation purposes.
• Guest editorials, our “My Turn” feature, are welcome from individuals concerning issues of concern to the business community. The same criteria as Letters to the Editor apply to what’s acceptable.
• In the case of ballot issues, we prefer to present views from both sides on the issue. This goes for industry spokespeople when the legislature is in session as well. There are exceptions to this policy, but they are few and far between as a general rule.
• Electronic submission is the preferred method. E-mail to biznews@wetapple.com, or use the form on our web site, www.kpbj.com. However, we will also accept submissions via fax at 360.895.2495 or snail mail sent to P.O. Box 1101, Port Orchard, WA 98366-1101.