This newspaper is caught in a dilemma which smells of government interference and oppression. We have been told that we are required to run an announcement or money for emergency food and shelter in Wilkes County will not be paid, at least for a time.

The demand is offensive and illegal. It brings with it the promise of hurtful consequences if we do not comply. That’s blackmail.

There is a provision for public notices required by the government to be published in legal organ newspapers. The rate for these legal ads is set by law at $10 per 100 words. Legal ads appear in this paper every week, usually on page 7B and elsewhere.

We made the offer last year to run the announcement in question as a legal advertisement but that request was denied. In the interest of the Food Bank in Wilkes County, we ran the “announcement” anyway. We can only assume that payment was made on time.

The irony is that, under normal circumstances, we would be more than happy to run any announcement that would lead to the benefit of Wilkes County citizens. We do it all the time. Every week this newspaper is full of articles and stories promoting the well-being and enhancement of our community. It is in everyone’s best interest to keep it that way.

But the content of this privately-owned newspaper is our choice and certainly not the choice of the government or any of its agencies. So when one of those agencies tries to demand management of our content, we naturally bristle and resist.

We can’t imagine that a government agency would demand that any other retail outlet donate its goods or product before federal emergency funds are awarded. Would they dare say to a grocery store, “You give 40 gallons of milk or we will delay payment of funds to your area?” Our product is no different in that sense.

However, once again, in the interest of Wilkes County’s $6,314.00, we concede. We’ll donate our “40 gallons of milk.” But this is the last time. If the “announcement” comes to us in the same form in the future, it will not run in this newspaper. So here it is, complete with the instructional preamble just as it arrived in our office a couple of weeks ago. We choose to run it in the same form as we run the similarly required legal ads. (Bold face, caps, and underlining are reproduced as submitted.)

“Please run the following public service announcement in the News Reporter. It is a requirement from the federal government that this announcement be run in the most widely distributed newspaper covering the award jurisdiction. Please call Shiron Thomas 800-766-7690 if this announcement will not be able to run in your next publication. Failure to run the ad will delay payment of funds to your area.

“Wilkes County HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM.

“Wilkes County has been chosen to receive $6,314.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

“The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high need areas around the country.

“A Local Board made up of individuals from the above stated organizations and citizens of the specified county will determine how the funds awarded to your county will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

“Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/ or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

“Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must meet the terms stated above. Please contact the name below for an application: Attn: Andrea Hubbert Golden Harvest Food Bank 3310 Commerce Drive Augusta, GA 30909 Call 800-766-7690 I or email: ahubbert@goldenharvest.org The deadline for applications is February 3, 2006”