To the editor:

Lest Langley readers be confused, I want this letter to clear up a case of mistaken identity. I am not Kathleen Waters and do not share her views.

A few weeks ago the Record published what I have now been told was Kathleen’s “Viewpoint,” one that far exceeded the South Whidbey Record’s 300-word maximum for the Opinion section and was critical of the mayor and city council.

Based on recent feedback, many friends of my amazing parents, Bob and Ethel Waters, believe that article was from me.

My very different opinion, challenging the Record’s recent blasts of the mayor and council was not published. When I submitted my viewpoint on Sep. 8, 2010, I received a response back from editor Brian Kelly indicating “Our limit for letters in the paper is 300 words, and we usually try to stick to that as best we can.” Because of its length (about 900 words), he wrote that it could be published on the website.

Unfortunately, that site is not widely read by my parents’ peers or many others as I’ve recently learned.

After seeing Kathleen’s Viewpoint published in its entirety, part of me now thinks that the word-limit rule gets applied based on content rather than word count. When I initially submitted this letter, I learned that had I been willing to wait until my article would “fit,” it might have been printed as a Viewpoint.

Next time you see a letter from Kathleen Waters be aware that she is not the daughter of Bob and Ethel Waters, who wanted me to say they also do not share her opinions. Also be aware that if your letter’s content challenges the current headlines/articles in the Record, it may not get published, especially if over the limit of 300 words.

Kathryn Waters Stevens

Langley