A PAGE DESIGNED FOR UTILITY

Welcome to your newly redesigned Opinion Page.

Regular readers will immediately see this page is a significant
departure for the Dail Herald, one we're confident will serve you well
and help us reach several specific goals.

First, we want to give greater prominence to letters to the editor. We
have observed over the years that letters are the most popular element
of the page, with good reason.

When readers put their thoughts on paper - responding to news stories,
Daily Herald editorials, colunms and each other - the result is a
forum that is both the lifeblood of the editorial page and the very
essence of the free exchange of ideas so vital to a democratic society.

With this design, the space available for letters each day
doubles.

We made that change possible, in party, by moving the editorials - the
views of the Daily Herald editorial board - here, to the top of the
page.

We reach for a second goal - making it easier to contact and
communicate with us - by creating the information box in the upper
left-hand corner. Here, for the first time, we list editorial board
members' names and phone numbers. In addition, we spell out clearly
the various ways you may send us your letters.

With this design we also intend to fulfill a third goal: making it
easier for you to tell at a glance what the topics of the day are. You
will notice the breakout boxes, excerpts pulled out and presented in
larger type, in editorials and columns. These boxes complement the
headlines to tell you quickly what issue or topic is being presented.

With this new design, we also will strive for a fourth goal, placing
renewed emphasis on local and regional topics by occasionally
publishing Guest Views.

These colunm-length commentaries will be solicited by Opinion Page
staff from suburban residents who demonstrate particular expertise,
insight or interest on a local issue.

Finally, we will be inviting greater reader participation by posing a
question on the page two or three times a week and inviting you to
respond with letters to the editor.

We hope you will find these changes useful and that you will enjoy the
new design.