The Daily Astorian and its counterpart, the Chinook Observer, have been invaluable sources of news and information for the north coast population for many years, and residents from Seaside to Ocean Park have been very fortunate to have them in business here, serving these communities. I include myself as a loyal reader, supporter and advertiser. Having stated that, it brings me no pleasure to let you know how disappointed I am in the conduct permitted (Tolerated? Encouraged?) by the editor regarding the “Mouth of the Columbia.”

While reading some articles by “The Mouth” I have found myself simultaneously feeling empathy and compassion for my neighbors, the restaurant owners and their families along with their employees who suffered condescending belittlement from the Mouth, and contempt for the man who hides in the shadow of anonymity while delivering childish, lowly, cheap shots at honest, hardworking members of my (our) community. He seems to be more interested in sounding glib, clever and “above it all” at others’ expense, than in offering any constructive criticism toward his mark (err … the subject of his article). I don’t know, maybe that’s what it takes to see newspapers these days.

I do not believe he helped himself recently either by writing the puff piece “review” of a restaurant he admittedly has frequented for 20 years. I would venture that he went too far and received enough complaints that he thought it best to give someone a good review in order to appear unbiased and objective. Of course, he appeared exactly the opposite by heaping gushing praise on what I’m certain is a fine establishment, but a business that an honest, objective critic would have felt he or she shouldn’t review given such a long history, and possibly a relationship with the owners and/or managers and staff. Certainly a thoughtful reader would perceive that the critic would have a bias, and perception in reality.

These are small communities. People in business here are trying to provide products and services year in and year out, and there are only two or three months that it makes any economic sense to be in business here.

Please encourage the Mouth to temper his tone, be more constructive in his critiques and not be so venomous as to cause a teenaged young lady to cry from embarrassment upon reading his review of her (see Sept. 16 issue), and local community members to turn away from the newspapers as readers or advertisers.

For what it’s worth.

Karl Hintz

Long Beach