Speakeasies endanger public

For many years, under the leadership of editor Jerry Jones and Publisher Gordon Forgey, The Gazette was a model of what local newspapers could be. But now, under the Publisher Roger Harnack, it has gone precipitously downhill.

His Dec. 17 editorial “Prohibition 2.0” represents a new low point.

Mr. Harnack, you give tacit approval to “speakeasies” — business establishments that flout public health guidelines during the most severe public health crisis in a century. How dare you?

Do you not understand that your stance endangers public safety? Do you even care? Or is your bottomline the dollar? Do you not understand that the economy cannot prosper so long as this pandemic rages?

This is the most irresponsible editorial I have seen in my decades as a Gazette subscriber. You shame yourself and insult your readers with your willful ignorance.

Dick Warwick,

Oakesdale