Starting next Saturday, May 12, you're going to have to sign your name if you want to sling a barb.
Some readers may recall when Times staff generated all the Blossoms and Barbs in our Saturday edition. We changed that several years ago, opening it up to submissions from our readers. It's been a popular forum for readers to share what's on their minds.
Since then, our policy of allowing anonymous barbs has been one of the most frequent complaints we hear from our readers. We agree - some of the submissions have ranged from ridiculous to downright petty. As a result, and after careful consideration, The Monroe Times has adopted some revisions to how we handle Blossoms and Barbs.
The biggest change is that barbs can no longer be submitted anonymously. This means, as with our letters to the editor, those submitting need to provide their real name for publication. The submitter's town of residence and a daytime phone number is also needed for our verification, but will not be published.
While we will require you to give your name to say something negative, we will allow people to continue to give blossoms anonymously. As long as the blossom serves the intention of pointing out something positive, we see no harm in allowing these submissions to remain anonymous.
Another significant change is we will no longer publish blossoms or barbs relating to private businesses. Issues related to customer service, policies or procedures at a particular business should be handled through direct contact with that business, not through this forum. Whether you have a complaint or compliment, call, write or visit the business and let the business owner or manager know so he or she can respond.
We're also not going to allow barbs aimed at private individuals. Again, that type of communication is best handled privately and directly. Barbs relating to people who hold a public position will be included if the barb pertains to a policy or action taken, or lack thereof, as an official.
In addition:
• Blossoms intended as a thank-you to groups or organizations must be general in nature and not list specific individuals.
• Submissions must be original work; we cannot republish works from other individuals or publications.
• Blossoms and barbs are intended to be short; submissions will be limited to 75 words. Longer submissions are best handled as a letter to the editor.
• Only one submission per person per week will be accepted.
• Submissions should be clearly phrased as being either a blossom or barb.
• Name-calling, profanity or crude references will not be allowed.
• The deadline will remain at 5 p.m. Thursday for inclusion in that Saturday's edition.
• And, as always, the Times retains the right to reject any submission. If this is the case, you will not be notified. Questions or concerns regarding Blossoms and Barbs should be directed to Mary Jane Grenzow, editor, at (608) 328-4202, ext. 22 or editor@themonroetimes.com.
We believe it's important to continue to give readers this forum within the pages of our print edition to share what's on their mind. Judging by the popularity of Blossoms and Barbs, our readers agree.
These guidelines should serve to elevate the conversation a notch and make Blossoms and Barbs more meaningful for all our readers.
Some readers may recall when Times staff generated all the Blossoms and Barbs in our Saturday edition. We changed that several years ago, opening it up to submissions from our readers. It's been a popular forum for readers to share what's on their minds.
Since then, our policy of allowing anonymous barbs has been one of the most frequent complaints we hear from our readers. We agree - some of the submissions have ranged from ridiculous to downright petty. As a result, and after careful consideration, The Monroe Times has adopted some revisions to how we handle Blossoms and Barbs.
The biggest change is that barbs can no longer be submitted anonymously. This means, as with our letters to the editor, those submitting need to provide their real name for publication. The submitter's town of residence and a daytime phone number is also needed for our verification, but will not be published.
While we will require you to give your name to say something negative, we will allow people to continue to give blossoms anonymously. As long as the blossom serves the intention of pointing out something positive, we see no harm in allowing these submissions to remain anonymous.
Another significant change is we will no longer publish blossoms or barbs relating to private businesses. Issues related to customer service, policies or procedures at a particular business should be handled through direct contact with that business, not through this forum. Whether you have a complaint or compliment, call, write or visit the business and let the business owner or manager know so he or she can respond.
We're also not going to allow barbs aimed at private individuals. Again, that type of communication is best handled privately and directly. Barbs relating to people who hold a public position will be included if the barb pertains to a policy or action taken, or lack thereof, as an official.
In addition:
• Blossoms intended as a thank-you to groups or organizations must be general in nature and not list specific individuals.
• Submissions must be original work; we cannot republish works from other individuals or publications.
• Blossoms and barbs are intended to be short; submissions will be limited to 75 words. Longer submissions are best handled as a letter to the editor.
• Only one submission per person per week will be accepted.
• Submissions should be clearly phrased as being either a blossom or barb.
• Name-calling, profanity or crude references will not be allowed.
• The deadline will remain at 5 p.m. Thursday for inclusion in that Saturday's edition.
• And, as always, the Times retains the right to reject any submission. If this is the case, you will not be notified. Questions or concerns regarding Blossoms and Barbs should be directed to Mary Jane Grenzow, editor, at (608) 328-4202, ext. 22 or editor@themonroetimes.com.
We believe it's important to continue to give readers this forum within the pages of our print edition to share what's on their mind. Judging by the popularity of Blossoms and Barbs, our readers agree.
These guidelines should serve to elevate the conversation a notch and make Blossoms and Barbs more meaningful for all our readers.
