One of my ongoing endeavors with this newspaper is to try to find ways to encourage more public discourse.

I know most people prefer to go to their social media platforms to express themselves, as it’s an immediate way to share one’s thoughts, whether on your personal timeline, through a community page or one offered by a local business or organization.

But let’s not forget the more traditional means of such vocal outreach.

We continue to offer a section each week for letters to the editor, providing an opportunity for residents to express their thoughts on the matters of the day, activities taking place in their community, offer thanks for support and much more.

We do have a policy for our letters, which is included at the bottom of this page, but we seldom have had an issue where we decided to turn a letter away.

There are a couple of regular submitters, of course, but we have seen a drastic decrease of letters over the years, and that’s a shame.

Along those same lines, I continue to think of ways to increase the number of voices expressed in locally sourced opinion pieces. We occasionally receive a submission for a guest column. You’ll notice a couple appearing on our pages this weekend.

The big question, though, is who could be reliable and interesting enough to feature.

Our legislators would be an obvious choice, especially when they are in session in Charleston. Let’s face it, though, there has been enough going on in the last couple of years where they are in the Capitol for at least a few days each month.

Del. Pat McGeehan, who recently was named the Majority Leader in the House of Delegates, is among this week’s guest columns.

Our other elected representatives at the state level – specifically Sen. Ryan Weld, Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, Del. Mark Zatezallo, and Del. Jimmy Willis – are welcome to contribute as well. It would be a good thing for residents to hear directly from them about some of the legislation with which they are involved, as well as some of the activities taking place within the Legislature.

There was a time where many of our statewide and national elected officials would contribute a piece, even if once a month. We have published periodic submissions from Sen. Joe Manchin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, but I remember receiving regular columns from Sen. Robert Byrd.

Manchin, as well as Bob Wise, Earl Ray Tomblin, all sent pieces to the state’s media while they served as governor. It’s something Gov. Jim Justice got away from, along with in-person briefings and various other norms, but perhaps incoming governor Patrick Morrisey will bring such practice back.

Primarily, as far as those higher-level state offices are concerned, print media have been remembered by Mac Warner and Kent Leonhardt as avenues to express their thoughts.

Still, it’s the local figures I wouldn’t mind seeing (reading) more from.

There are a few other options I’d maybe like to consider.

I recall we once had weekly pieces submitted by some of our local high schools. Weir and Madonna were the most active for The Weirton Daily Times, but at various points, there also were columnists from Brooke and Oak Glen.

Many of these schools have been investing in journalism programs in recent years, and reviving such a program could be a benefit for them, while also helping to get the word out about events in our schools.

There may even be a way to incorporate some of our own social media activity into the fabric of these editorial pages. It’s an ever-changing world, after all.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)