With elections now just a few weeks away, endorsement letters for local candidates are beginning to appear on this page. As in past years, we would like to lay a few ground rules.

Please keep letters brief, as space will be at a premium, particularly in the final weeks before the election. If you are running for office, please let your supporters do the writing, and if you are writing, please stick to the issues and qualifications of candidates and avoid personal attacks.

Send letters to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday for publication in that week’s paper. Include your name, town or city and a telephone number so that we can verify authorship.