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[trekbat]

I am not failing to consider paid-for adverts by local businesses to a specific targeted audience, but who will these people be that advertise? And how much will they pay? Ad rates are rock bottom at the moment, and need hard selling, so I doubt we'll see them on here anytime soon...

It's curious, how you seem to be focussing solely on the money and ignoring the other wider issues raised (behaviour reminiscent of Herts County Council - they seem to be eyeing lucrative income streams from processing London's waste and to heck with blighting Hatfield and poisoning the people living here and in the surrounding areas).

Are you a Conservative supporter perchance?

[jonmorris]

It's curious, how you seem to be focussing solely on the money and ignoring the other wider issues raised (behaviour reminiscent of Herts County Council - they seem to be eyeing lucrative income streams from processing London's waste and to heck with blighting Hatfield and poisoning the people living here and in the surrounding areas).

Are you a Conservative supporter perchance?

Erm, I thought this thread was about the forum. Do you think Grant's forum and how it might have some ads to pay for the monthly hosting fees is in ANY way linked to Conservative policy or funding?

I am not sure about the 'lucrative streams' you talk about, but doubt that any money from the incinerator will pay for this forum! I think it's fair to say that you are not a supporter though! 

I commend markwoods39 for setting up a forum and offering services for the local community. However, I have experience of setting up forums to 'compete' with a successful one and have never really succeeded - and likewise, nobody has ever really managed to set up a rival to one that I run.

It will be hard slog, and I'd say that you'll need to earn something to make it worthwhile continuing for the long haul. There will be increased costs as the forum grows, and you'll also probably need to get a team of moderators to lighten the load when it begins to get spammed and you have to deal with people who may start selling dodgy goods, ripping off others - all the problems forums have to deal with every day.

[markwoods39]

It will be hard slog, and I'd say that you'll need to earn something to make it worthwhile continuing for the long haul. There will be increased costs as the forum grows, and you'll also probably need to get a team of moderators to lighten the load when it begins to get spammed and you have to deal with people who may start selling dodgy goods, ripping off others - all the problems forums have to deal with every day.

Hi JM,

I agree with you,but it's the same as if you buy goods off a Internet site starts with a E or your local paper at least with my forum  it would be local so you can view your goods before you buy. Spammed I get that now and have to check my site every day just to make sure nothing naughty has been put up. as for moderators no problem, if and when it's needed I am sure I can arrange it I am not new to forums either I am joined to others also and know what's involved. Hope you have a good day JM

[trekbat]

markwoods39 - made my inaugural post on your board this morning.

jonmorris - you ignore my questions but simply ask more (and seek to trivialise matters with posts "but doubt that any money from the incinerator will pay for this forum!")

-------------------------------------

[Removed to a new thread under Off Topic Stuff]

[jonmorris]

I'm not ignoring your questions, but you're talking about the Conservatives and their lucrative money schemes which has nothing to do with the thread that is talking about a forum!

You seem to think it's some big conspiracy! It isn't.

The attached video is totally irrelevant to this thread, so why not post it as a new thread instead?

[trekbat]

I'm not ignoring your questions, but you're talking about the Conservatives and their lucrative money schemes which has nothing to do with the thread that is talking about a forum!

I think you're the one confusing my comments on the noticeboard with the incinerator - perhaps deliberately so. The old strawman technique, eh?

You seem to think it's some big conspiracy! It isn't.

As for conspiracy theories - what about the one where the Conservative party puts all the poor people (generally non-Conservative voters in one place - like Hatfield) and then poisons them with incinerator emissions and vehicle fumes?

Is that gerrymandering or mass murder? Or both?

The attached video is totally irrelevant to this thread, so why not post it as a new thread instead?

Thanks for the idea - it's been removed and a fresh thread started. I've explained the video - and given you credit for the idea - there. 

[Anne]

Mark,

I think your offer is very generous, but I, personally, don't think that it will accomplish what I would like to achieve on the council's website.

I would like 'transparency', as seems to be the new, political, buzz word. I would like us to be able to communicate with the council... in public... Our questions open to the public, and the council's answers likewise open. And, as Grant is our high profile MP, then at least some councillors / political figures may read this forum... perhaps for no other reason than to get ideas for their next election campaigns!

From your point of view, there is an awful lot of work required running a forum... and very little income. Generally, website statistics show that most incoming traffic is derived 'organically' from search engines, such as people searching on Google... and in conjunction with good website Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) which helps visitors to find a relevant website containing the information that they want. Generally, adverts do not send much traffic to websites... therefore they are not being 'clicked' very often... therefore there will not be much income generated from them... Oh, except for Google, of course! And, with future investments in Social Media, adverts as we currently know them, will gradually disappear. Pepsi is opting out of advertising in the Superbowl... got that on Twitter!

I think that this forum is very well-suited to our needs. No matter which political party we vote for, we can express our opinions and take part in lively debates with other interested people on all sorts of topics. It seems to me that we are very lucky that Grant is our MP and runs this forum. Grant too, is very lucky in that he has direct access to the problems of the people of Welwyn Hatfield. Other politicial party members of course will also have access to our problems... Should be a Win / Win situation!!!

[Mighty Hatfield]

Mark,

I think your offer is very generous, but I, personally, don't think that it will accomplish what I would like to achieve on the council's website.

I would like 'transparency', as seems to be the new, political, buzz word. I would like us to be able to communicate with the council... in public... Our questions open to the public, and the council's answers likewise open.

there is an agenda item set for almost every single council meeting to receive questions from the public.

rarely, is this used.
 
not a single member of the public came to the meeting last monday, where the councils budget was debated, and set.

There are also "meet your councillor" surgeries. I cant speak for the other councillors (some of whom never bother going to their surgeries, but thats enough about the conservatives) but whilst we in South Hatfield actually have a steady stream of visitors, i'd hardly say we were overwhelmed.

[Mutual Respect]

Perhaps the Rate payers have all realised that Welhatfield Council totally ignore their views and opinions !

[Anne]

... there is an agenda item set for almost every single council meeting to receive questions from the public.

rarely, is this used.
 
not a single member of the public came to the meeting last monday, where the councils budget was debated, and set.

Mighty... It seems to me that that is good enough reason to change the system!

[GhostTown68]

I really don't think threads get deleted just because they give a different opinion than that of Grant or the Conservatives.

I can say now that this is incorrect. Several threads have been deleted for that sole reason, people have been prevented from discussing subjects that do not suit the local Conservatives to the extent that bans were given out for anyone discussing Conservative Councillor Sam Smiths disgraceful 'jibe' about baby rapists!

For what its worth, I think Grant is a good sport for providing this forum - but lets not fudge the figures, it is clearly to some degree 'censored' to suit him and his colleagues.

[Anne]

Grant doesn't do the censoring!

[trekbat]

Mighty Hatfield - have you or anyone else for that matter proposed the WHBC start its own fourm (one where everyone posts under their own names - perhaps link sign on to the electoral roll which could also serve to highlight residents from guests)?

However, given Conservative plans to use this forum to THEIR advantage I doubt it'll be passed. Still it would be interesting to see their arguments against a council run board.

There have been a couple of WHBC posts on this board and I see that the Comms Officers have posted information on the De Havilland Residents Association Board.

http://www.dhra.org.uk/

[Mighty Hatfield]

Mighty Hatfield - have you or anyone else for that matter proposed the WHBC start its own fourm (one where everyone posts under their own names - perhaps link sign on to the electoral roll which could also serve to highlight residents from guests)?

However, given Conservative plans to use this forum to THEIR advantage I doubt it'll be passed. Still it would be interesting to see their arguments against a council run board.

There have been a couple of WHBC posts on this board and I see that the Comms Officers have posted information on the De Havilland Residents Association Board.

http://www.dhra.org.uk/

I havent, cant speak for anyone else, but ill email them at lunchtime with the idea. Due to the costs (ok it wouldnt be that much) but moreover the staffing committment that would be required, in times of cutbacks, i wouldnt be too hopeful.

Its a good idea of course, and would greatly benefit the council, and local residents i believe.

Thanks for the 'prod' its been a busy week

[Anne]

There have been a couple of WHBC posts on this board and I see that the Comms Officers have posted information on the De Havilland Residents Association Board.

http://www.dhra.org.uk/

Peter Ball is busy, isn't he?

Do WHBC employees submit articles to the De Havilland Residents Association in their own time? Or whilst we pay their salaries?