For letters to the editor, please follow our word limit

Letters to the editor are one of the oldest and purest forms of public debate.

We love readers' letters, even when they're criticizing us. Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are important to us, and we're sure they're important to you, too.

However, it's time to remind everyone again that letters to the editor are getting a bit too long.

We get lax about enforcing our 400-word limit for one reason only: Your letters truly help make the Simi Valley Acorn the city's hometown newspaper.

We print every letter except those that are libelous or selfserving. To print as many letters as possible, we must control their length. We haven't been strictly enforcing our word limit, but it's time to tighten up again.

Please remember, too, that we require a street address and phone number for every letter. If you sent a letter and it wasn't printed, there's a good chance you didn't provide that information and we couldn't reach you for verification.

Neither your address nor your phone number is printed or released to the public, but they are required because we like to confirm that you- and not somebody else- wrote the letter.

If someone wants to contact you through the newspaper, we'll let you know, and you can decide whether to call them or not.

We don't print anonymous letters or those with false names, so please include your first and last names unless you're known by your initials (in which case, first and middle initials are required).

We don't print copies of letters sent to elected officials or to government offices.

Again, your letters are important. If something is bugging you, share it with the rest of our readers. Letters can be sent to the address below or to simi@theacorn.com.

Your opinion counts, and we want to hear from you.