After considering our comments policy for the last several months, a very difficult decision has been made.

In order to serve our community better, the comments section is ending, effective with all new stories and articles.

Comments will now be received in the form of a “Letter to the Editor”.

James River Journal started up in 2009. The idea was to:

1. Tell the local news in-depth, and

2. Build a format in which all of the people of the community could be heard, could tell their story. Other members of the community could come on and express their thoughts on the subject.

It has worked.

The rules for commenting have been simple. Use your actual name and never attack a writer in a personal manner.

James River Journal started with only a handful of readers. Today, James River Journal has grown to 25,000 local viewers and has become a respected news source. As time has gone on, our sources have grown, and today we bring the most comprehensive in-depth and accurate news on the Peninsula, and individuals, elected officials, and agency officials are all able to tell their side of a story, unedited.

That success brings with it the difficulty of verifying commenter’s names. Most internet news sources allow the free commenting of anonymous authors, in order to “respect the freedom of the internet.” Many television and radio news shows allow verbal attacks. Even politicians are doing it. It’s sort of a trend.

We believe to allow that to happen here would take away from the integrity of James River Journal’s mission. Our mission is not to get ratings or sell ads. Our mission is to tell the local news, in-depth, and to allow members of our community to tell their story. And many of you believe in our mission. We know, because you send money, so that we will not be beholden to any major advertiser or investor .

We still want you to voice your thoughts here, and we want you to voice your thoughts freely. But we also need to verify your identity with reasonable assurance.

So please send your comment in the form of an emailed letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In the header please write “Letter.” Be sure to include you first and last name, street address, and phone number. Keep in mind, the information will be verified. Your first and last name and city will be published.

Please make sure your letter is a minimum of 30 words. Remember, your comment will appear as a letter, so make reference to the story you are addressing.

As long as you don’t try to incite hatred of any particular class of people, or use derogatory terms, your letter will be published. And always remember, debate the viewpoint- do not attack the writer.

You are welcome to send in a 200 x 200 pixel photo of yourself or your subject matter along with your letter. Just be sure the photo is yours to use.

From time to time, we will still publish an anonymous writer, when it is important to protect the identity of the writer. And of course, we still accept anonymous news tips.

Thank you for understanding.