With the Aug. 2 primary election looming, the Great Bend Tribune has started to receive candidate endorsement letters to the editor. The Tribune ran its policy regarding such letters earlier, but it wouldn’t hurt to run it again, so here it is.

Current candidates running for office may not submit letters to the editor. This includes letters regarding the election, gardening or anything else.

The Friday before the Tuesday election (July 29 this time around) is the last day political letters will be published. Remember, Friday’s paper is actually put together Thursday and the editorial page is one of the first pages to get done so letters must be submitted before Thursday.

Letters will be printed on a first-come-first-serve basis as space is available. We will not guarantee a specific day or page placement for a letter.

Endorsement letters will be accepted from non-candidates, but each submitter may only endorse a candidate once.

In addition, the regular policies continue to apply. Submissions may not exceed 600 words (if we are inundated with letters, this limit will be strictly enforced) and must include a name which will be printed. Although only name (affiliation if appropriate) and home town are printed, all letters must contain at least a daytime phone number and a current address including city of residence. E-mail addresses, although nice to have are not sufficient.

Letters must be from a specifically named individual, not a fictional name or alias. Initials are not acceptable unless that is how the community knows and address the submitter. The individual can be part of a group but there must always be an individual’s name(s) assigned to a letter. Anonymous letters will not run.

Letters must be in good taste and must be the author’s original work. Letters must (in our opinion) not be legally actionable and letters may not take a particular business or private individual to task. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, content, and length. Profanity will be edited out.  Available public forum space is designated on a first-come (approved)-first-served basis.

Even though our public forum policies are quite generous, it is ultimately our right to reject any letter or ban any author for any reason. We do our best to work with submitters and to this date, there are no authors on a permanent ban list.

Submissions can be made via e-mail at dhogg@gbtribune.com, via mail to 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530 or dropped off in person at the address listed. If you have concerns about whether or not we received your letter, contact us. Sometimes delivery systems fail. 

We recognize the importance of this forum as a way to reach readers and voters. We want to print as many letters as we can, so we ask that those submitting them to just play nice.

One more thing, just another reminder that Tuessday is the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 2 primary. If you want to earn the right to complain about how government works (or doesn’t work), you need to cast your ballot. Register and have your voice heard. 

Dale Hogg