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"When Jeffrey M. Peyton became publisher and general manager of The 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.'

Like 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 regarding abortion.

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 on abortion.

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 The Observer wishes to be truly 'community oriented,' it has to allow involvement by all members of the community - including Planned Parenthood."

George Loper, Board Member, Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge (Featured letter of the week, Letter to the Editor, George Loper, The Observer, August 9, 2000).