Write a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor of your local paper and other state newspapers can be a powerful tool for public advocacy.   Here are some tips:

1. Always include your name, address and phone number(s).  The newspaper can be expected to call you to verify your submission before it publishes your letter.

2. Follow up with a call to the newspaper on same day it’s emailed to make sure that your letter has been received (and doesn’t languish in an editor’s mailbox).

3.  Keep it short and concise.  Many newspapers have word limits in the 200 word to 300 word range.  Two to three paragraphs should be adequate.  In your first paragraph, introduce your problem and sum up your objection.  In the second paragraph, include a few sentences to support your view.  End with a great summary.

4.   Let your sense of humor and irony shine through.

5.  If your letter is in response to a recent news article, identify the title and date of the article in your letter.

6.  Check spelling, punctuation an grammar.    Have a friend proof-read your letter if you’re not sure of spelling and grammar.

Daily:

Non-daily:

Campus:

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Daniel Morris September 7, 2011 at 5:14 pm

Hi Dee,
Got your message via Go Marcellus Shale. Chesapeake got me before the Marcellus shale news broke, so I got low-balled on the lease bonus. Royalties are 12.5
I received you comment on my lease on Go Marcellus Shale.
Thanks!

Now they want to drill on my surface and have already applied for permits, well numbers: DANIEL MORRIS MRN 6H and DANIEL MORRIS MRN 3H

The negotiated amount for disturbance was $25k (verbal). I got a paper to sign for the disturbance check in the amount
of $20k. There were no negotiations. I wrote on the paper that the amount was not what was agreed upon and wrote in $25,000 over their amount in red ink and returned the paper unsigned.

Any ideas or comments are appreciated.

Reply

Dee Fulton September 8, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Daniel, I recommend a legal consult. Dave McMahon with WV Surface Owners Rights Organization may be able to assist. He specializes in oil and gas law. wvdavid@wvdavid.net
You may consider citizen activism also. Our state needs many laws to deal with the threats to public health, environment, and regional socioeconomics. It’s going to take a huge grassroots effort to overcome the corruption among our politicians, the majority of whom are supportive of the gas industry while ignoring the injustices that the industry is wreaking upon surface owners such as yourself.

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Guy Chesterfield March 6, 2013 at 8:24 pm

NEW DRILLING & FRACKING STUDY BY NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL:

Your input is really important in this new comprehensive study. “A few questions ask about you, but your responses will remain completely anonymous.” They want to reach very many people who have concerns about fracking or want to know more about fracking. Please do forward it to people concerned and should participate. The responses are needed by March 19, 2013.

THE FORM TO REPLY IS HERE: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/nrc/

Reply

Mary Berry July 20, 2013 at 5:57 am

It Is Now Time To Write a Letter to the Editor And To The Governor And To Your
Senators And Delegates In Charleston ….

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Virginia Shelby August 21, 2013 at 11:20 pm

Giclee prints, giclee printing and the word giclee (pronounced zhee-klay)
have become buzz words within the digital printing and art publishing world.

By acquiring Internet-ink, it can be particularly exasperating to watch
the office supply budget dwindle because expensive cartridges need to be replaced.

Reply

MJ Lasavage January 5, 2014 at 10:47 am

Duane….I hope this email finds you well and Happy 2014!

I’ve recently found your articles/website and was very interested in talking with you regarding our State of the Art/Patented material that prevents fires/explosions in tanks. We have been supplying this material to the Military Globally as well as in high level discussions with Boeing.

We have been prepared to launch an awareness program in 2014 within the oil and gas industry with great support from large companies. My thoughts are to discuss this with you and develop a demonstration utilizing your network with your ability to reach a mass market.

We have been approached by several individuals to arrange major network coverage but we are in the business for safety and saving lives not Global publicity.

Please contact me @ 304-670-0602…thanks and good day.

Reply

Jim Guy March 3, 2016 at 8:55 am

Hello, I’m trying to contact the editorial staff on Frack Check WV. I’m a member of the board of directors of Citizen Shale. I just got the announcement of the Documentary on fracking in W. Maryland. Thank you!

I noticed that you gave Engage Mountain Maryland credit for getting the moratorium extended. Citizen Shale also had a principal role, probably the principal role. We have worked very hard and continue to work hard to keep this insanity from coming to Maryland.

We would be delighted to communicate what we have done/are doing as we continue this battle. Let us know.

Jim Guy

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Nancy North September 18, 2018 at 8:31 am

I get your postings in my inbox and I am unable to share on Facebook. Sometimes you include an article from another source that I can find online and share. Sometimes, if something is not too long I copy/paste it on my facebook page. You have a long letter from Dr. Bond (responding to Dr. Ahern) which I want to share but I can find no way to do it. It’s really too long to copy/paste. I cannot find an e-mail address for FrackCheck or a phone number. I live in Summers County, WV. Help???

>>>>>>. Keep up the good work, Nancy. FrackCheckWV@gmail.com

Reply

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