An online forum of mysterious origin is raising eyebrows in Irricana.
The Irricana ratepayers website and discussion board, which has about 90 registered users, is getting mixed reviews from residents and local politicians.
“Hopefully the community embraces the blog,” said Irricana Councillor Frank Dusome, who has posted multiple messages. “It can be such a valuable tool for our community.”
The origins of the forum are shrouded in mystery, although most residents agree there have been three distinct generations of the discussion group, which started about three years ago.
According to Dusome, reading comments is a great way for politicians to follow the concerns of residents.
“It’s a good way to feel the pulse of the community,” he said. “It’s an open, honest way for people to speak their minds without fear (of reprisal).”
Many residents post comments under a pseudonym, and sometimes, those comments get personal.
That may not bother Dusome, who said the message board is self-policing, but it is a point of irritation for Mayor Josh Taylor.
“I believe very strongly that you have your rights to an opinion, but I think you should be able to stand behind your opinion,” he said. “They are just flexing their Internet muscles.”
Taylor said it would be far better for people to attend a council meeting or contact their local politicians to voice concerns. There is often bullying, lies, and an overall skewed view of the town spread by way of the website, he added.
“There are flaws in this town,” said Taylor.
“This town isn’t perfect, but why don’t you ever discuss anything decent about the town? It’s all negative. It’s the most poisonous, venomous blog I have ever seen.”
As a victim of the online posts in the past, resident Jen Avery has mixed feelings about it.
She said the site is sometimes used informatively, but can get “very nasty and mean.”
“You have to filter through a lot of junk to get the real information,” said Avery, adding that she has never posted, although she visits the website once or twice a week.
“There is a bit of verbal abuse on there. There are no rules... anyone can post anything and have no accountability to it.”
Avery said she would like to see abusive material removed by the moderator. She is concerned participants are teaching Irricana’s youth that cyberbullying is tolerable.
Town Councillor Andrew Carr has also been a victim of what he calls vicious gossip and rumours on the blog.
However, he maintains a more positive outlook on the discussion.
“It is helpful, but it can be harmful,” said Carr. “(People) can easily cast stones at one another. At the same time, you can get input from people you wouldn’t normally hear from.”
The online forum is available at http://irricanaratepayers.com
