Recently I was sent a letter published in the Oliver Chronicle. I decided not to print it here.

Yesterday I was sent another letter, this time by a client, asking that his comments about the televised all-candidates-debate be printed. After careful consideration I said no.

From the outset as the publisher of ODN and as a political candidate I knew there would be conflicts:

1. Answering statements in the comments section – I try to invite more participation and urge commentators to stick to the issue and not the personalities

2. Publishing any political advertising – decided against it

3. Ensuring fairness – all candidates have been invited to participate. Most have been covered. Some are difficult to locate.

I think I have been fair so far and want to continue to inform and provide a platform for discourse. Keep it clean.

A warning – some people have not respected my wishes for a positive experience on Oliver Daily News. They wanted it used for their own purposes with no good intent. They are not on here anymore.

One last issue: I have been asked to make it a rule that all comments are from people who use their full names. ODN has a high standard for people to live up to. Many reputable Internet web pages allow all kinds of garbage, libelous and slanderous material. I do not. However if you keep it clean, funny or insightful I do not require your full name.

Yes I have asked people to identify themselves fully when they have approached the LINE too closely.

This is a friendly blog of contributors. ODN would not survive without submissions. It will never win a Pulitzer prize for news gathering, English usage or literature. It is what it is. It is what you make it. I think it’s great.

Luckily only one person is driving the bus.