One might suppose that we asked for it, when we ran a letter to the editor harshly criticizing statements made by one candidate at a forum for the then 12 candidates seeking a seat on the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors.
The policy of the paper has been not to publish denouncements or endorsements of candidates, because it undoubtedly would lead to a deluge of similar letters or letter-writing campaigns orchestrated by foes and supporters of those seeking a post on the volunteer board.
In this instance, however, we elected to publish a letter castigating candidate Pat Supik for her remarks at the forum, as we decided that anything said in a public arena is fair game for public comment.
It is not the job of the paper, after all, to protect candidates from their critics. To do so would stifle public debate of matters that Ocean Pines residents, or some of them anyway, believe are of critical importance. What we do strive to do, however, is to be fair.
Consequently, a letter defending Supik and attesting to the veracity of the points she made at the forum appears this week. That, however, is the end of it.
We will accept no further letters to the editor challenging or endorsing any candidate for the board. It isn’t that we want to dampen public discussion, but that we believe it might get out of hand and lead to a runaway train of letter writing.
The internet these days has become the bulletin board for pointless back-and-forth discourse that covers no new ground and is of no benefit to the public. We’re not doing that.
In the meantime, anyone who wants to offer commentary on Ocean Pines issues beyond going after or supporting this or that candidate is welcome to contribute.