From the Editor: New voices welcome

Change comes again to the Budgeteer. This week we say farewell to long-time regular columnist Ralph Doty, who leaves us to begin other adventures.

While we sincerely hope that Ralph — like former publisher Dick Palmer — will still visit these pages from time to time, we wish him all the best.

I’m certain Ralph will seize his new opportunities with the same zest and bravery that punctuated his Budgeteer columns.

In my book, it takes a good measure of both those attributes, mixed with intelligence, to be a good opinion columnist.

The most effective opinion writers provoke thought (not always agreement, of course) by providing well-researched and articulate arguments.

They don’t rally the masses with soundbites, nor do they attack people — only ideas.

They sign their name and take responsibility for their words.

In two weeks, current monthly columnist Pete Langr will replace Ralph Doty on this page, writing on alternating weeks in rotation with the sage and experienced Virgil Swing. Like Ralph and Virgil, Pete does his homework and doesn’t shy away from controversy.

Then, for the next few months at least, rather than filling Pete’s spot on our monthly cycle of columnists, I’d like to invite any budding opinion writers in the area to submit your own column to be considered for publication.

All we ask is that you keep it local, honest and roughly 700 words. Please include contact information.

We’d love to hear your voice — and see your face — in our community newspaper.

As always, thanks for reading us!

Tags: budge opinion, ralph doty, jana peterson, pete langr, budgeteer, columnists