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Two trustees atwitter over township messaging
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - May 18, 2011)
Two trustees atwitter over township messaging
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
A meeting called by Munson Township Trustees last week to discuss social networking turned personal.
Trustees Irene McMullen and Andrew Bushman squared off in some terse exchanges as the two discussed whether additions to the township's Facebook page should have been authorized by the entire board.
Mr. Bushman referred to the exchange at one point as an "inquisition" and said the entries to Facebook were the same as those on the township's web page.
"Talk to me, don't badger me," Mr. Bushman said.
Mrs. McMullen said she was questioning whether it was proper for Mr. Bushman to change classification of the Facebook page from a "government organization" to a "community organization." "I asked you to please leave it alone," she said. She also questioned whether Mr. Bushman had signed a contract with Facebook on behalf of the township.
"I'm trying to understand what's going on," Mrs. McMullen said. She said Mr. Bushman altered the site after she asked him not to.
Mr. Bushman said he made the classification change because it was not approved by the township. He said he did not sign any contracts. "I didn't commit to anything," he said. "It didn't cost us a dime."
Mr. Bushman said the only items listed on the Facebook page were a notice of an upcoming Easter egg hunt and a fishing derby. Also included was a history of the township written by his mother, Jane Bushman, he said.
Mr. Bushman said Mrs. McMullen wrote in an e-mail that she thought it was a "great idea" for the postings when she thought it was being done by a member of the township's park and recreation board.
He said the problem began when she found out he had made the postings. "It was a good idea until you found out I was involved with it," he said.
"That's not true," Mrs. McMullen said.
She said she was only concerned with making sure the entire board was aware of postings. She said it would help with accuracy.
She said, when the township was considering putting a page on the township's website regarding storm water, the entire board passed around drafts for weeks before all agreed to what would be posted.
"I thought we had (a policy), but it doesn't seem to be working," she said.
At one point, Mr. Bushman said Mrs. McMullen had had township-produced mulch delivered to her yard by township personnel.
Mrs. McMullen said she had spoken to several people before taking the mulch. She said she had been told it was proper as long as every other township resident received the same service.
Township Road Superintendent James Teichman said the township has had a practice of dropping off mulch at residents' homes if they request it and the township is doing the work that day. "We're not a delivery service," he said, noting that the township will not pick up mulch from the maintenance yard and deliver it to a home.
Mr. Teichman said one homeowner, who had requested wood, received three loads of wood from the township when crews were clearing trees that day.
He said the township was chipping that day and stopped to drop off some for Mrs. McMullen. "It's standard operating procedure here," he said.
Trustee Todd Ray said a township policy on postings was never put in writing. "It was never spelled out," he said.
He said the township should adopt a procedure so everyone can can agree what is posted. It would eliminate the chance for something contentious or a potential problem, he said.
Mr. Bushman said he saw the posting simply as a way to notify the community of events planned.
Mrs. McMullen said, before any postings are made, they should be communicated to trustees, and a consensus should be reached.
She said she would like the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office to review the contract with Facebook as well.
She said Facebook is a commercial company and she is not sure what may be contained in the contract.
Mr. Ray said the township should speak with other township representatives in Geauga County to learn how they administer their Facebook pages. "It's like any tool," he said. "You should know how to use it and use it properly so you don't hurt yourself."
He said, if the board approves a posting for the township website, officials should also consider that approval for postings on Facebook, rather than holding separate votes.
Mr. Ray also said the township should steer clear of Twitter, noting that he had just heard a radio report of the trouble it has caused for athletes and celebrities. "It seems like something we should avoid," he said.
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