The Freeman’s Sound Off column gets a lot of attention. During many conversations I have across the community, it doesn’t take long before Sound Off is brought up.

Some people don’t like the fact people are able to comment without signing their name. But to many others, the Sound Off column is a forum that showcases a fascinating collection of random comments and provides a window into our community like nothing else.

I hear a lot of questions about the Sound Off column, so I wanted to answer some of them. Hear are some of the most frequently asked questions about Sound Off and a few others that we thought would be helpful to have answered:

Q. Does The Freeman edit the Sound Offs?

A. Yes, definitely. We try to preserve the essence of someone’s comment by including the style in which they say or write it. That’s why some of the comments are in plain-spoken language. We do edit for spelling, content appropriateness, length and clarity.

Q. Do all Sound Offs make it in the paper?

A. No, some do not. We try to run as many as we can and will often make extra room in the paper to accommodate them, but some Sound Offs are too long or are considered inappropriate for print.

Q. How can I get my Sound Off in the paper?

A. Here are few tips:

* Keep it short and clear.

* Please be respectful and avoid personal attacks. For example, don’t take cheap shots at a public figure’s family.

* Keep it local. The focus of our paper is on our community so we tend to give priority to the local Sound Offs. Readers are free to Sound Off about any topic. However, some topics can become redundant. The Republicans vs. Democrats debate has had some interesting entries, but there have been some submissions that just say what has been said before.

* Stick with the facts. We aren’t going to run items where the facts are wrong or clearly suspect. Yes, this page is about opinion and often times information can be spun or interpreted. But if a Sound Off is presenting unverifiable facts, it won’t run.

* Be positive. A Sound Off doesn’t always have to be a tirade. We’ve enjoyed very much the many positive comments we receive about the community.

* Don’t use bad language or discuss things that shouldn’t be in a family newspaper.

Q. Why on earth do you let people Sound Off without printing their names?

A. If people were required to include their names, there would be no Sound Off.

Q. Can people sign their name to their Sound Off if they want?

A. Yes, absolutely. Just include your address and phone number with your name for verification just like you would for a letter to the editor. We won’t run the address and phone number unless you want us to for some reason.

Q. Can I include photos, drawings, editorial cartoons, caricatures or graphics with my Sound Off?

A. Yes, we have included photos before. And you might also remember a Sound Offer who did a report card for Mayor Nelson that we translated into a graphic. I’m always looking for artists out there who might be interested in trying their hand at local editorial cartoons. We get a few, but I would certainly like more.

Q. Can I get questions answered in the Sound Off column?

A. Yes. If you would like clarification about something from a story or an issue in the community, we will try to respond with an editor’s note. Some of these matters may also fall under another article we feature, I Have a Gripe.

Q. Is it the same one or two people who call the Sound Off column?

A. No. We do have regular callers, but there are many different people calling the Sound Off line or submitting Sound Offs by mail or e-mail.

Q. I have a story tip about something I also want to give my opinion about. Can I do that through the Sound Off line?

A. Absolutely. We have turned some questions, comments and complaints from the Sound Off line into stories and welcome news bits in any form.

Q. Do you favor Sound Offs from Democrats or Republicans?

A. We don’t select Sound Offs based on political affiliation. If your Sound Off didn’t get in, it is because of a reason other than your viewpoint.

Q. Doesn’t Sound Off take away from the number of letters to the editor you get?

A. Maybe a little bit, but not much. If it does, it is probably because people like to be able to call in their opinion instead of writing it. I would point out that we put a huge value on our letters to the editor and one of the reasons is that those are signed.

Q. There are often running feuds between Sound Offers. Why are you pitting people against each other like gladiators?

A. We just supply the coliseum.

As always, we appreciate your commentary about community issues and your feedback about how we can serve you best. We have always felt fortunate to have such vocal and passionate readers. Please feel free to contact me about Sound Off or anything else. You can reach me at 513-2671 or byorth@conleynet.com.

To submit a comment to the Sound Off line, call 513-2641. Or e-mail: soundoff@conleynet.com. Or mail: The Freeman, Attention: Sound Off, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53187.

(Bill Yorth is editor of The Freeman.)