Category Archives: Social Media
Local democracy starts with neighbors talking to each other
#VT – Neighbors are using their Waterbury Front Porch Forum to discuss their new municipal civic center. This type of potentially controversial topic often elicits conflicting responses from FPF members.
Member A: “The Waterbury Forum was NOT meant for politics; the newspapers, radio and TV take care of that… Now lets all get back to basics and the purpose of this forum – to help each other NOT preach at each other. I and most of us could care LESS about your opinions. I for one will discontinue use of this forum if it continues.”
Member B: “It’s been great to watch the discussion about our new Municipal Civic Center take hold here on FPF. This is really what Front Porch Forum is all about, the (civil) conversation!… Thanks everyone for weighing in and keep those thoughts coming! We believe in a community where everyone has their say.”
FPF encourages the neighborly exchange of facts, opinions and ideas about local issues. FPF is a great place to introduce this information and increase interest in the topic (since so many people read their FPF). In some cases after the initial discussion, moving off-line to in-person facilitated dialogue is recommended.
UPDATE: Here’s one more perspective shared today…
Member C: “I am in favor of using this forum for information, political or otherwise. This isn’t just a neighborhood Craigslist. There are views in this forum that you just don’t get in the newspaper or the news. Sometimes there are topics that I am not interested in reading about, so I don’t read them. I think FPF is a great thing!”
Odd requests? No problem…
#BTV #VT – A few months back, my husband posted a request on the Five Sisters Front Porch Forum asking to borrow a skull. We had four offers by morning.
On Friday, I sent in a note asking for someone to adopt a few chickens. Two guys from Hayward took three of the hens today.
Only in Vermont.
Shared by Karen in the South End of Burlington.
Enlightening the local electorate…
#VT – The discussion on Front Porch Forum about the upcoming town meeting vote has been enlightening, not only for what’s been said about the issue, but also for the medium in which it’s been said. Being one who likes to think things over, I appreciate having the time to hear and digest different opinions before voting. I also appreciate the fact that more people have spoken up on-line than might have in person.
Submitted by Polly to the New Haven FPF today.
LA Times reports on Vermont bigfoot
Bigfoot bandit on the loose? Police search for missing sculpture
By Jamie Wetherbe, Los Angeles Times
April 2, 2013, 6:45 a.m.
Authorities on the East Coast are searching for Bigfoot. No, really.
Vermont State Police are hunting for a Sasquatch sculpture reportedly swiped from a Westford couple’s driveway over the weekend.
The couple purchased the 8-pound, 15-inch-tall Yeti from a SkyMall magazine.
Police say the statue is valued at around $100, the Associated Press reported, and the owners would be satisfied if it was simply returned to their front lawn.
In addition to police efforts, the couple is using community network Front Porch Forum to search for the sculpture.
Anyone who spots the missing Sasquatch need not approach the beast, but instead should contact the Vermont State Police barracks in Williston.
New Local Leaders Connecting with Constituents
#VT – A fresh batch of local elected officials took office this month in towns across Vermont and many of them are embracing Front Porch Forum to connect with constituents. Posted today on FPF by the newly elected mayor of Vergennes…
Dear Friends and Neighbors – FPF is a great way to keep abreast of local issues and create an atmosphere for the productive discussion of municipal business. I urge all citizens of Vergennes to join FPF as a way of communicating concerns to your municipal officers and the public at large. Please tell all your friends to join.
I will be posting questions and comments as well as notifying folks of volunteer opportunities for the upcoming spring and summer. I hope everyone can find the time to offer their time or expertise in helping our city move forward. Thanks.
Bill Benton, Mayor
City of Vergennes
How do Vermonters prepare for Town Meeting Day decisions?
#BTV #VT – Increasingly, the answer to this question includes Front Porch Forum. Ninety Vermont towns are served by FPF and public officials, advocacy groups and voters alike use their FPF to share information, state opinions and encourage participation in local democracy. Occasionally an FPF will get heated in the days approaching Town Meeting… but that’s how community works. Ideally neighbors pull together and move the community forward after Town Meeting Day, regardless of which candidates and ballot measures prevail.
FPF is popping up in traditional media this week. Two recent front pages (one and two) of the Burlington Free Press mentioned FPF’s role in Town Meeting issues. And Seven Days quoted former City Councilor Ed Adrian today…
In a February 28 posting on Front Porch Forum, Adrian lodged five points of criticism against Bushor, including: “To the best of my knowledge, Sharon has never posted on FPF. Anything.”
Ed will be glad to know that Sharon posted a campaign-related item to her FPF today!
It takes a village to raise a teenager…
#VT – “Looking for a loud and obnoxious (& cheap) alarm clock to get my teen up in the morning. I’m sure there must be a few of them out there?”
That’s my favorite Front Porch Forum posting of the hour… from Peter on the Waterbury FPF.
New Feature: Share Postings with Neighboring FPFs
#BTV #VT – Starting today, Front Porch Forum members can select to share their postings with neighboring FPFs. Look for the check box on the NEW POSTING page at FrontPorchForum.com (login required).
About Blog
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more
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