Dear Editor,

I will be celebrating my 80th birthday this year. What I’m saying, is that I’ve been around for a while, and during my lifetime I’ve been witness to many things that would be considered “bad taste.” In my opinion, you and your staff won the blue ribbon for “bad taste” when you published the Wednesday, March 7, 2012, edition of The Post-Searchlight.

I am specifically referring to the front page, and the headline and the story talking about the car crash that killed a 5-year-old little boy. The whole community was shocked and terrified because of the accident, but you did not stop at telling about the accident, you chose to include a photo — for the whole world to see — of the Jeep Cherokee engulfed in flames.

I want you to know that most of the community is outraged about your publishing the photo. What has happened to our respect and feelings for other people?

To me, what would have been more fitting would have been a picture of the 5-year-old boy, and things for us to remember about him. My heart goes out to the families involved in this tragedy. I am deeply saddened that they had to endure more hurt than was necessary, because you published this photo.

Bad taste, Mr. Editor. Bad taste.

Remus E. Matthews

Bainbridge