The Marblehead Independent welcomes letters that add to civic conversation. Our focus is Marblehead, so letters should connect directly to town issues, people or life here. We’ll also consider outside letters if they’re clearly relevant to Marbleheaders — including state and national issues that touch the town.
HOW TO SEND YOUR LETTER: Fill out the online submission form (preferred), which can be found at forms.gle/c3V4FqxPzCPZvJU76.
EMAIL YOUR LETTER: wdowd@marbleheadindependent.com
MAIL YOUR LETTER:
Will Dowd
The Marblehead Independent
217 Humphrey Street
Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945
AS FOR THE RULES:
— Letters should be no more than 500 words.
— Tell us who you are. Every letter must include your full name and address. If you’re writing from outside Massachusetts, include your street and state. Only name and street will appear in print.
— We also ask for a phone number so we can verify authorship. That number will never be published.
— You can write up to two letters per month.
— Letters should focus on Marblehead. National or global commentary is welcome only when it connects directly back to town life.
— Letters must be civil, factual and neighborly. Personal attacks, name-calling and defamation will not run.
TONE: Letters must be civil, factual and free of personal attacks or libel. Disagreement is welcome; defamation is not. Any letter that includes the following will not be published:
— Ad hominem attacks (criticizing the person instead of the argument)
— Name-calling or ridicule (insults or mocking language)
— Scapegoating groups (blaming entire communities)
— Questioning motives instead of ideas (speculating about intentions rather than debating actions or policies)
— Straw man arguments (misrepresenting an argument just to knock it down)
EDITORIAL DISCRETION: The editor retains full discretion to accept, decline or edit letters for length, clarity and style. Submitting a letter does not guarantee publication.