Editor, the News-Herald:

As a public official, I accept the fact that I will be quoted in your paper from time to time. I try to respond to requests for information or opinion as often as I can. I also refrain from trying to correct every error I see in your paper. The article published in the Tuesday, June 15th edition about the Supreme Court decision on the Pledge of Allegiance, however, compels me to respond.

First, I wish your readers to know that the comments attributed to me were the result of a phone conversation with your reporter. They were not submitted in written form. I make this point for two reasons. First, the use of &uot;principals&uot; instead of &uot;principles&uot; was not my error. Second, I did not say that Congress and the General Assembly started their sessions with the pledge.

I said I believe they started their sessions with prayer.

While I appreciate the coverage given, I would also greatly appreciate more effort to make sure quotes are exactly that – quotes.

Sincerely,

Milton R. Liverman, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Suffolk Public Schools