To the Editor:

I want to thank The Smoky Mountain News for its coverage of the recent municipal elections. There was actually an article on the candidates’ positions. This wasn’t the case in the other local paper I depend on. There was only a mention of who was running and for what office — nothing about what the candidates would like to accomplish as mayor or council member.

I know newspapers everywhere are struggling for survival, but that is no excuse to ignore something as important as an election. As a former newspaper journalist who worked in another part of North Carolina, detailed election coverage was considered one of the most important services we could provide readers. Apparently, The Smoky Mountain News thought it was important as well.

Betty Dishman

Sylva