Citizens ask council to be respectful on social media

By Rob Vogt
Two citizens, one a resident of Claresholm and the other a business owner in town, have concerns about the conduct and behaviour on social media of some town councillors, and request everyone to be respectful going forward.
Bonnie Henry and Nikki Thom appeared as a delegation at town council’s June 12 meeting to
express their concerns.
Henry explained she grew up in Nanton, graduated from Willow Creek Composite High School, and is currently living in Claresholm. Her connection to the community is long, and her parents lived here for years.
“I come to you with our concerns and our disgust,” Henry said.
She was referring to what she called the use of vulgar language, name calling, and insinuation
directed at former Claresholm Mayor Chelsae Petrovic on social media.
Henry added some concerns border on unethical behaviour, bullying and defamation.
“And are downright inappropriate in nature,” she said.
As councillors, she continued, they represent the community as a whole.
“This is how we want to be viewed?” Henry asked. “I don’t think so.”
She stressed everyone has a right to freedom of speech and opinion, but the manner in which one
expresses that opinion reflects on the town and beyond its borders.
Henry said Petrovic was duly elected mayor by a majority of residents, and now has been democratically chose by constituents by a sweeping majority to represent the people in the legislature.
“We have the choice to act professionally and maturely to recognize this choice or at the very least be appropriate and dignified in our dissension,” Henry said.
She asked council how would they deal with having this directed at them. It has been brought to the attention of more than one councillor at previous times. Now, Henry said, they feel strongly enough to have it noted in the council minutes and it may appear in the newspaper.
“That a delegation of disgusted voters came out to say Claresholm deserves better,” she said.
Henry asked council, who she said she understands self regulates this behaviour, to take into account the complaints, language, tone, insinuations and make sure what is put on social media or in speech in the community is a reflection of the dignity that should be held within council.
Thom said she does not live in Claresholm but her business is in town, pays taxes to the town, and buys a business licence in town so she feels she has every reason to speak.
She referred to several Town of Claresholm bylaws and policies stating members should not use words of abuse or insulting language towards other members, administration or the public; treat council, administration and the public with courtesy, dignity and respect without abuse, bullying or intimidation; and should not use their position to benefit themselves.
Thom said she talked to a few people about running for mayor and council and they said why would they want to put themselves in that position when they see this happen and nobody is policing it.
Henry said there are people living outside the town who said they can’t come to talk to council, but she reminded them this is their town too. They send their kids to school, buy their groceries, gas and participate in the community here.
“They’re seeing this,” Henry said.
She added before she came to Claresholm she saw the posts on social media by Coun. Kieth Carlson, and she apologized for singling him out and he said it was okay. She found his posts offensive, and blocked him, not realizing she would move here and see it again.
“I’m saddened by it,” Henry said.
She said Claresholm has many
facilities and opportunities and it is sad to see people attacking their own members of the community.
“Please return this, what I believe to be, a place that I would feel welcome, and that I would want to welcome as a part of my life,” Henry said.
Thom said she has talked to business owners, those who want to come to town, and ask why should they come to town.
“The town is dying from within, we have problems,” she said. “And this isn’t helping it.
“We can’t have people hiding behind a cell phone then deleting it, and no accountability.”
Henry cautioned that on social media, once something is out, there is no way to recall it. People get aggravated so they save posts then share them. People need to have the integrity to not put that out there.
Thom said once something is tagged and shared, it reflects on everyone. Petrovic was elected and that’s how she is treated?
Henry said they have a choice to support Petrovic or beat her down from day one. “Does that help?” she asked. “It doesn’t.”
She asked if someone disagrees with her, use dignity and maturity in a public place, be it social media or on the street.
“Dignity and maturity is something we choose,” Henry said.
Thom said the Town of Claresholm has to be run as a business, and she would fire anyone in her employ behaving this way.