Write a Letter to the Editor
One of the most effective ways of demonstrating grassroots support for the enhancement millage renewal is to submit a “letter to the editor” to the Kalamazoo Gazette.
To be published before the May 6 millage, letters to the editor must be received by the Gazette by April 25th. Letters must be 150 words or less. Letters can be emailed, sent by regular mail, or faxed. Letter writers must include not only their name, but also their address, and a phone number the Gazette can reach you at. The Gazette will call that phone number and verify that you have submitted this letter. The Gazette will not publish your street address or your phone number.
What should you say in a letter to the editor? That’s up to you, but we would suggest that you give your own personal take on the enhancement millage issue. This web site gives some of the facts and arguments about the enhancement millage. Please use your own words to incorporate these facts, and try to describe what the enhancement millage means to you and your family. Give your own perspective as a student, parent, employee, or businessperson as to why the renewal of the enhancement millage is important to your school, your business, or your neighborhood. What would be the consequences for your school/business/neighborhood if the enhancement millage fails, and our local schools have to cut the quality of the services provided to students? What are your hopes for the future of your school/business/neighborhood if the enhancement millage passes, and we maintain our forward momentum in improving our schools? Speak from your mind and your heart.
Remember, 150 words is the maximum length. Your letter does not have to be so long. In fact, shorter letters are usually more effective. You only need to make one point or give one reason why the enhancement millage is important from your perspective. You do not need to make the entire case for the enhancement millage in your letter. Other letters from other Kalamazoo County voters will give other points.
The easiest way to send a letter to the editor is to email the letter to the Gazette at
The letter should ideally be in the body of the email. Remember to put your name, address, and phone number for contact purposes at the bottom.
Letters can also be sent to the Gazette by completing their online form at
http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/kzgazette/letters/index.ssf . Letters can also be faxed to “Letters to the Editor” at the Gazette at 269-388-8447. Or letters can be sent via regular mail to: Letters to the Editor, Kalamazoo Gazette, P.O. Box 2007, Kalamazoo, MI 49003.
If you’re ambitious, you can also submit a “Viewpoint” to the Gazette, which can be up to 500 words. However, there is obviously more limited space in the Gazette for Viewpoints than for letters to the editor. Viewpoint submissions use the same email and other addresses as letters to the editor.