You're doing a great job with your newspaper. I'm especially glad you spoke up about the Chamber of Commerce's conflict of interest with the accommodations tax $$. I hope we don't let this issue drop.

The paper is such a positive force in town, but I really have to take exception to the publication of the letter by newcomer Richard Ross.

Although I definitely don't condone drunk driving and I feel that public officials need a higher standard, it's a matter of fairness. This is a case of FOIA vs. a right to privacy. To my unlearned legal mind, communication between a husband and wife really is privileged information and should never have even been recorded much less released (especially to some unknown Stender group).I've always supported the Sheriff's Dept and Ray Nash, but I think they erred here.

Also, though he may have been impaired, I think there is no actual proof (other than circumstantial) that Senator Scott failed any alcohol test. I expect the case to be reduced to disorderly conduct for lack of real evidence.

Senator Scott has always been helpful to me, and many others I'm sure. He deserves his day in court before people start labeling him as 'drunken", especially in a newspaper. He should at least have had the right to respond at the same time when the letter was printed.

Thanks!

Don Bagwell