I ran into someone for the first time while out and about in the community this week and got an interesting bit of feedback that I wanted to share. As you’ve seen in recent issues, we’ve had an abundance of letters to the editor being submitted, especially of the political variety.
During our conversation, this individual referenced a semi-recent letter to the editor and the name attributed as being the “author.” But this person believes a candidate running for office was the actual author and just had their friend or neighbor submit it under their own name. I don’t have proof this was done, but the person believes that was the case. The very thought of this happening made me feel unsettled.
As the publisher, I have no way of knowing whether a letter to the editor being emailed to me was indeed written by that person who sent the email. Submitting a letter you didn’t write under your own name is dishonest. And I don’t mean “didn’t write” as in you used AI to sharpen your points and make it sound better.
A word to anyone who has already sent or plans to send me a letter written by a friend while pretending it came from them: If I’m ever shown proof this was done, you’ll have no letters published under your name again because you can’t be trusted.
Whew, Platte County politics is getting dirtier by the minute.
A quick reminder about political letters to the editor as the Nov. 3 election approaches. The Landmark does not publish political letters during the two weeks before an election. This policy prevents a last-minute attack on a candidate or ballot issue without giving the other side an opportunity to respond before Election Day.
The final edition in which political letters related to the Nov. 3 election may appear will be the Oct. 21 edition. The deadline to submit a letter for that edition is noon Monday, Oct. 19. This policy applies only to letters to the editor, not political advertising.
Another quick note about letters to the editor. Beginning this week, letters will be limited to 550 words. This new policy will allow us to publish multiple letters each week while keeping them concise and focused. Please see the notice below on this page for the additional information that must accompany all submissions.
Thank you to the loyal readers and local newsmakers who completed our reader survey online. The response over the past two weeks was overwhelming and we appreciate everyone who took the time to tell us what matters most to them. We’ll begin putting your feedback into action in the new year as we expand our coverage throughout Platte County.
Speaking of expanding our coverage, that brings me to the topic of what local news we’re covering and why.
One example is what happened Thursday, Sept. 17. It was a normal, quiet Thursday afternoon. Until it wasn’t. A county employee walked into our front lobby and told Josh that Eric Zahnd had passed away at the courthouse.
I was out of the office running an errand and Josh phoned me with the terrible news. I gathered my laptop and notepad to head to the scene without checking what other local news outlets were reporting. I didn’t know the courthouse was closed. Before I got in the car, other county employees inside the administration building at the time started calling me with the same news.
It was true. These staff members had been personally told face to face by a county official. The sheriff confirmed it as well, so The Landmark shared the news on Facebook. I didn’t know I was the first media outlet to do so. I shared what we knew, which was very little at that time.
Fast forward to the next afternoon at 3:26 p.m. Barely 24 hours after Zahnd’s death, Fox 4 KC’s reporter posted online that the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) “has confirmed it was conducting a criminal investigation” of Zahnd. If you want to call that an “exclusive,” you have every right to do so. But it’s only that because other news outlets, like The Landmark, had been aware of this since July, yet chose not to dredge it up again right after the man just passed.
I’ve seen the email and dozens of documents. I know exactly what the MSHP is investigating and who’s involved. But until that investigation is closed and a decision is made about whether to file charges, I’m not covering it.
I was heartbroken to read the Zahnd family’s full statement to the media. They shouldn’t have to share their “hope that controversy may be ended and that our family may be allowed to grieve in peace.”
News of investigations, especially one that started three months ago, can wait. Have some decency. A man just died and his family, friends and colleagues are still in shock.
I’ve received multiple calls and emails asking if we know about the investigation. Yes, we do. But if charges are filed, there will be a time and place to cover that in the future. Not right now.
