Letter writing policy criticized

After viewing this year’s Veterans Day event on Nov. 11, I felt led to attempt to thank all those participants who made the annual event such a success.

Imagine my frustration when I learned that if one uses the word “Thank you” in a letter to the editor, that letter cannot be published as a letter to the editor. Nope, one must pay for an advertising space to say thank you to our fellow community members for supporting our veterans and our community.

I am somewhat baffled by that, but then again, after having to pay to publish in your paper an obituary, I should not have been surprised. I will give the paper some credit however, since you did offer to run the “ad” free since I would have represented a non-profit organization.

Personally, I find the use of a paid advertisement, even if provided free, to show appreciation to this community a trifle tacky. I was appreciative of the Herald’s coverage of the event, but then again, I cannot say that dreaded word here in a letter to the editor.

It appears to me the days of the Bonners Ferry Herald being a local newspaper that is informative, pertains to local events and represents Boundary County is slowly slipping away. That is a sad commentary on a very old and respected paper.

Michael T. Ashby