When Jeffrey M. Peyton became publisher and general manager of the Charlottesville and Albemarle Observer last March, he said, "'It's going to be a better paper…It's going to be a more-read paper, a more-respected paper and more community-oriented'" (Reed Williams, The Daily Progress, March 29, 2000).

"'We don't consider ourselves detached observers,' he said. 'We don't pretend to be unbiased on some issues. For instance, civic participation is not a thing - it's a good thing'" (Reed Williams, The Daily Progress, March 29, 2000).

Like a number of other publishers around the country that have adopted a policy of civic engagement, Mr. Peyton has been true to his word. In May, he wrote an editorial supporting Albemarle Industrial Development Authority's bond issue to Covenant School. In July, he wrote an editorial criticizing the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and a woman's right to reproductive freedom.

In each case, The Observer encouraged community participation by printing letters by readers contrary to the positions Mr. Peyton holds -- as exemplified by an Op Ed by Mary Ellen Sikes on Bonds for Covenant School and a letter by Cali Gaston supporting a woman's right to choose.

On the other hand, The Observer also placed an anti-choice ad on the page opposite the letter by Cali Gaston and has adopted a policy to refuse all advertising by Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge -- including 'want ads'.

If you live in the Charlottesville area and have thoughts about The Observer's practice of civic engagement, please send them to george@loper.org and the most representative will be posted an my web site with full attribution."

You might also consider posting your comments on the discussion board of The Observer.

To date, I have received comments from Carolyn Jones Silver.

My own letter to The Observer was published with the anti-choice ad used as an illustration by The Observer.