Some time back, my wife gave me a coffee mug that said “Bark Less, Wag More.” The meaning? Stop being such a grouch. Good advice for someone writing editorials.

While an editorial is suppose to take a pointed view – it is, after all, an opinion – too often the space we use isn’t enough to give a topic justice.

That’s why letters to the editor are so important. The letters space is an open forum for discussing the issues of the day.

Unfortunately, we don’t get as many letters as we would like. Perhaps people are too busy to write or they think that what they say doesn’t matter. Maybe they just give up and write a check to a political action committee and let it take on the battle.

That’s a shame.

Individual voices still count. Letter writers help shape arguments. Though they are the thoughts of one writer, they likely represent the thinking of others in the community.

The space for editorials in the Reporter averages about 325 words. We set a word limit on letters to the editor at 200 words for the print edition. I’m sure some letter writers chafe at that limit, feeling they can’t make a compelling counter argument in such limited space.

They’re probably right. So, beginning in 2013, we’re bumping up the word count for letters to 250 words. And we won’t necessarily get picky if it goes a bit over.

So, give us your thoughts. And, in addition to your name, give us your city of residence and a phone number (your phone number won’t be published) in case we need clarification on something you wrote.

Information at the bottom of this page gives you several ways of getting letters to us. You also can go to our website where you can find a form (click on Contact Us at the top right of the home page).

Issues are important. We want to hear from you.