This past weekend, I submitted a letter to the Prince George Citizen. I have written many letters to the paper over the years and have even had some of my writings submitted under the Guest Editorial section. Submitting letters to a newspaper is one of the freedoms of expression we have, however we must exercise this right properly.
I did not do so in my last letter.
My letter contained secondhand information that was not correct and I did not take the time to validate most of what I wrote. Also, my editing was sorely lacking and simple errors added to the letter being less credible and certainly inaccurate. Lastly, my letter unfairly targeted more than the intended parties, due to it being fueled with far too much emotion and far too little merit. Even the intended targets were undeserving of the way I spoke.
I have a right to question city hall, raises, taxes, and other related issues. I still believe very strongly that city hall could be clearer with its policies, its financial dealings and be more transparent. I do believe I'm not in the minority here and I do believe that we have seen enough city-related issues, to warrant improved communications to its citizenry. While I have a right to question, I have a responsibility to do so in the appropriate way. An emotion-filled rant citing unsubstantiated facts is not the way to do it.
My apologies to those who felt insulted by my letter and I formally retract what I wrote. I am not an editor, or a newspaper, and my words, when they fail, should not cause undue harm. They can however instill negativity and foster the same, especially when they are as muddled and inflammatory as they were.
Mike Maslen,
Prince George
