Dear editor:

Does an opinion really matter?

If I may, I would like to take umbrage with Mr. Turner’s most recent piece in last week’s paper (“The Turner Report: This is how I’m voting“).

The endorsement of political candidates by a correspondent could be perceived as interference in the electoral process. How is this different than a foreign country interfering in the Alberta separation question, or that of the Quebec sovereignty debate?

It could further, by extension, imply the approval of the publication of this piece is an endorsement by the editor and paper itself.

It is one thing to have the editorial publication endorse candidates in an editorial piece and that of a correspondent writing and the paper publishing the opinions of the correspondent at the expense of other candidates.

In the event the candidates endorsed by the correspondent lose their election, are we to anticipate the correspondent will maintain an aggressive, negative and opinionated articles against the winner that he did not support?

It could further be argued that the correspondent’s piece is advertising in promoting his chosen candidates, but this is an issue for the chief electoral officer to determine and pursue and the other candidates may pursue such a request.

We are a small community in which the longtime residents fully understand the ramifications of development in accordance with the planning laws of the community.

Why cannot everyone understand such a simple thing without an aggressive opinionated response in an effort to influence the community?

Derek Insley
NOTL