I never run unsolicited poetry. We ask for first publication rights in our circulation area, which is roughly Philadelphia and its 8 surrounding counties, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware. You may sell your column in markets outside that area at any time. Should we publish your piece, you retain the rights and can resell it anywhere. Style I don't like reading policy statements.
Academic prose is also inappropriate.
I do like reading lively, humane discussions of the issues. It's best if these concrete discussions surprise or challenge us. Here are examples of well-written columns. Any point of view is fine. I try to get all points of view in my pages somewhere.