Paper owes readers diverse discussion

Editor’s note: Every effort is made to keep letter writers within the 250-word limit. However, if someone is in the middle of a thought, there is enough flexibility to allow for a few extra words — within reason. All issues and all sides have been afforded this flexibility. The reason for the word limit is to allow for as many letters from as many people on as many diverse topics as possible.

I have been advised on a few occasions that there is a limit of 250 words on letters to the editor that are not endorsement letters. Shannon Williamson’s letter regarding coal was 275 words. That is similar to what I observed at a City Council meeting a few weeks ago in which Shannon was permitted to exceed the stated three-minute limit. The Bee should be more uniform in its’ treatment of writers.

Shannon’s letter contained half-truths. It appears that for every 5 million tons of coal held in ponds near coal burning plant sites, there will be 114 pounds of arsenic. How much coal is held in ponds near Lake Pend Oreille?

It also appears that granite based lakes are more highly sensitive to arsenic, magnesium, etc than are limestone based lakes. What is the rock beneath Lake Pend Oreille?

The Bee is doing a disservice to its readers by not hosting a broader, more informed discussion of issues that affect us. The state’s DEQ and the U.S. EPA should be included.

JEREMY CONLIN

Cocolalla