The following editorial appeared in the November 1 edition of the Guelph Tribune:
It seems Guelph is near the forefront among Ontario cities when it comes to use of social media, including blogs and Facebook postings. And at Guelph city hall, Mayor Karen Farbridge and Coun. Ian Findlay are leading the way – each with an approach that’s quite different from the other.
Findlay is in the spotlight for running his popular Ward 2 Blog in a way that runs counter to the new “social media principles and guidelines” for elected officials that were drawn up by the city’s communications department and adopted last week by council. But Findlay says he doesn’t plan to change his approach of posting emails from city staff that he thinks are of public interest, or of allowing citizens to use his blog as a “live” forum for their views on city affairs – both without much in the way of “spin” from him. Findlay’s blog is a breath of fresh air when it comes to a freer flow of information at city hall, and he should be congratulated for it.
Meanwhile, Farbridge’s blog is a valuable forum for getting across the way the city’s top elected official sees city affairs. Posting frequently – as Findlay also does – Farbridge uses her blog to convey her views in detail and without a media filter. It’s all about her “spin” on things, whether it be highlighting events she finds interesting, giving her take on issues of the day or responding to critics of city hall. Her blog postings are polished and thought- provoking, and they usually make for worthwhile reading. Sometimes they even make news.
Two very different approaches, and both valuable. There should be room for both at city hall. The more voices out there the better. And the freer the information flow, within reason, also the better.