The letters page, which is located in the commentary secton of the newspaper, has wide appeal to both policymakers and citizens. In fact, many journalists say readers like the letters page more than any other section of the newspaper.

Tips for Writing Letters to the Editor

• Find out the guidelines for letters to the editor. Most papers set a 100-300 word limit. Some like the Daily Republic will take up to 500 words.
• Generally, stick to the word limit because it's better that you're in control of what gets cut from your letter than a faceless editor. But also realize that many longer letters appear in print. Try to assess realistically the importance of your letter.
• Write in short paragraphs.
• Put your full name, address, and phone number at the top of the letter and sign it at the bottom. It you submit it online type your name in at the bottom.
• Don't submit form letters
• Send letters by email, fax or regular mail.
• Read the letters page. You'll know if your brilliant idea occurred to someone else first, and you'll develop an effective letter-writting style.
• Avoid personal attacks
• Compose your letter with the assumption that readers know nothing about your topic.
• Your letter has the best chance of being published if it's a reaction to a story in the paper. Respond as quickly as you can to the story by e-mail or fax. If you like you can deliver the letter by hand.
• Respond directly to other letters to the editor. But you should know that editors usually cut off an on going debate on the letters page at some point.
• Don't write to frequently. There's no set rule applicable to all papers, but once every two or three weeks is usually as often as newspapers will consider a new letter from you.
• If your letter does not appear in the paper after about 10 days, you can call to find out why your letter has not appeared.

Mary Crenshaw Jones-Whitaker
123 Main Street
Suisun City, CA 94585

January 10, 2008

Letters to the Editor
Suisun City Times
15 Pleasant Marsh Lane
Suisun City, CA 94585

Dear Editor:

We have read in the newspapers of the appalling allegations against Fairfield City Councilman Frank Kardos. We are very troubled by them. Charges of violence against another person, in particular a woman, are especially reprehensible.

Mr. Kardos first came to our attention last year. At that time dozens of residents showed up at a Fairfield Suisun Sewer District hearing and raised questions about a regional northern California sewage treatment facility. The plan is to build it on Chadbourne Road in Fairfield. Councilman Kardos, who is a member of the Sewer District's Board of Directors did not speak up for residents despite their desperate pleas.

Our next encounter with him was last year after an even larger number of residents spoke out against issuing operating changes for the Potrero Hills Landfill that would allow them an increase in sewage sludge dumping, two miles from Travis Air Force Base and Suisun city residential limits. The thought of this was tragic - given that our county has the highest asthma rate of any county in California - according to the Solano County Health Department. Mr. Kardos, who Fairfield city records indicate received campaign contributions from the Potrero Hills Super Dump, stood in line at the California Integrated Waste Management Board hearings and argued on behalf of the, out of state, mega dump owners.

In our opinion this clearly showed either his severely bad judgment or an uncaring attitude for the countless elderly (and children), who are suffering and dying from asthma in our county. Expanding the landfill creates an environmental time bomb for the people of Fairfield, Suisun City, and Rio Vista.

Good leaders stand up for what is right and they protect women and children. Frank Kardos has failed to do both.

We hope the Solano County District Attorney will fairly, thoroughly, and swiftly try this matter and determine Mr. Kardos guilt or innocence.

Fairfield is a great city and deserves better.

Mary Crenshaw Jones-Whitaker

Suisun City