Letters policy
Send e-mail to letters@gainesvilletimes.com (no attached files, please, which can contain viruses); fax to 770-532-0457; or mail to The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503. Include full name, hometown and phone number for confirmation. They should be limited to one topic on issues of public interest and may be edited for content and length (limit of 500 words). Letters originating from other sources or those involving personal, business or legal disputes, poetry, expressions of faith or memorial tributes may be rejected. You may be limited to one letter per month, two on a single topic. Submitted items may be published in print, electronic or other forms. Letters, columns and cartoons express the opinions of the authors and not of The Times editorial board.
To find a form to send a letter, click here
We are fortunate in our community to have a local newspaper like The Times, which continues providing news, features and editorials in the best traditions established by its pioneers; people like Charles and Lessie Smithgall, Lou Fockele, Sylvan Meyer, Bob Campbell, Alma Bowen and Johnny Vardeman.
The Times’ recent series on local response times to emergencies was outstanding and certainly showed our local responders are performing significantly above standards. The Times local news and sports reporting, and accompanying photography, consistently brings home state awards. And while no one will ever totally agree with their editorial stance or some of the columnists, The Times does make an effort to present a balanced view.
In this day of increasing advocacy journalism, it is personally gratifying to be able to read a local newspaper that recognizes its community responsibility to report all sides of an issue and to keep the public informed, for an informed populace is the cornerstone of democracy.
In these times of economic stress, wars and concerns with terrorism, and political bickering instead of solving issues before us, it is refreshing to see The Times also providing significant coverage to the positive sides of life in our community.
During this time of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to thank The Times for continuing to carry on a tradition of excellence in community journalism.
Mike Banks
Gainesville