COMMUNITY RISES TO PERSPECTIVE CHALLENGE

If you turned to this page only to find your regular columnists missing, don't worry. They will be back tomorrow and the next week. But today marks the beginning of a new Southeast Missourian feature Perspective and we wanted your attention.

On these two pages you will find varying opinions on the critical issue of health care reform. The opinions are written by fellow community citizens and leaders who accepted the newspaper's challenge to become involved in solving problems through public discourse. In fact, we received so many responses on health care that the dialogue will continue in the pages of the Missourian tomorrow, the next day and longer. We are encouraged and inspired by such a response.

How can you become involved in future Perspective topics?

Perspective will appear on the inside back page of the Southeast Missourian on most Mondays. Today's topic is health care reform. Next Monday, the topic is cable television content and local control of cable, followed by a look at tax cuts, and ending the month focusing on teachers and to~day's classroom concerns.

We have been advertising these topics for a while and have already received columns on each. If you are interested in writing for Perspective on one of these or following topics, contact the Perspective Desk of the Southeast Missourian news room. Then submit the column two weeks before the scheduled printing date. This allows us to work with you on any editing changes.

Columns should be no more than two to two-and-half pages long, double-spaced, and preferably typed.

You can also participate in Perspective through The Public Mind. These letters should be no more than a page-and-a-half, double-spaced, and typed if possible. Letters are encouraged at all times.

Name and address must accompany your letter or column, as well as a daytime phone number for verification.

The topics for Perspective are decided by the editorial board of the Southeast Missourian, which includes Ken Newton, Editor; Joni Adams, Managing Editor; Jon Rust, Perspective Editor; Peter Kinder, Associate Publisher; Gary Rust, Publisher; and on occasion appropriate members of the news staff.

Most of the topic ideas, however, will come from you. If you have a suggestion for a Perspective topic, please contact the newspaper by phone or mail.

It is our hope that Perspective becomes an important addition not only to the newspaper, but to the community. Its ultimate success, however, depends on you.