Story, photograph had no place in newspaper

I was more than just a little offended at the article written by Cameron Rassmusson featuring Shaun Winkler. Running this story front page with a large color photo of a burning cross was a terrible decision and impacts our entire community. Our area already has a stigma for being racist, so why are we perpetuating it by running stories like this? I understand the importance of giving us a look into candidates lives but simply stating he is a member the Ku Klux Klan is sufficient to let me know not to vote for him. As always, Mr. Winkler is free to do what he wants on his own private property and I respect his First Amendment rights but that doesn’t mean he needs to be featured in a story.

I work in the real estate industry, which is obviously heavily dependent on tourism. Who would want to visit a town, let alone buy a house, where cross burnings make the front page? I’m sure there are people who share Mr. Winkler’s views but is that really the image we wish to project to our community and the world? I certainly hope not.

NATALIE CRAIG

Sandpoint