In the past week there has been an awakening of sorts with an increase in the number of old names re-appearing to simply hurl personal insults in response to some of these discussions.

I am not surprised by this activity. In fact, I anticipated it. When I decided to start this year long project, I intentionally shared my discussions in only three Facebook groups. One was a new group started to host these discussions. Two were groups administered by myself or people I trusted that would ensure that bullies and fake profiles wouldn’t intimidate anyone wanting to talk about these issues.

Occasionally, one or two discussions were thrown into one of the larger established FB groups. This was done knowing that those I mentioned above would pile on and attack anyone supporting the validity of these discussions. I was not wrong. I actually expect and welcome debate directly related to the topic at hand. Discussions that welcome debate have a better opportunity for all parties to learn.

But those intent on simply demeaning the author or those supporting any dialogue in these discussions don’t care about staying on topic. Their main objective is no different than it was during the last term of Council or the Election period.

If they could demean, insult, discredit people they saw as opponents, they could also discredit any political points they were attempting to make.

In the groups I started out posting in, we ensured these bullying tactics were not welcome. However… there are two other types of groups. One is where the administrators either feared controlling the bullies so they allowed all manner of bullying and hid behind “freedom of speech” or they enjoyed the controversy and attention their group got from the constant battles. A few of these groups have grown beyond the size that one or two administrators could hope to oversee responsibly, so the intimidation and lies continue unchecked. The other type of groups are the groups actually started by the very bullies I refer to above. To many, they appear to simply be a well intended community resource, when in reality, they are created simply to provide a controlled environment where true lies are encouraged to grow under the protection of administrators loyal to our existing Mayor.

The best (and most recent) example of these controlled message groups is the “Wasaga Beach Chronicle” group. It was started within days of “Wasaga Chronicle” starting to share an entire year of political discussions. Why start a group with such a similar name? Simple… within days of “Wasaga Chronicle” starting, the bullies arrived. Some using their real names, some using fake ID’s. They attempted their off topic insults, degrading behaviour and were immediately excluded from participating. So… they started their own party and it looked like they would have fun insulting people based on lies.

But…. Based on the feedback I have received lately, those bully groups are no longer growing the way they originally did. People truly interested in the learning aspect of debate have no interest in participating in the drawn out pattern of insults, lies and threats that people asking great questions would have to endure. If left to their own, they will die out.

So, an intentional strategy (and one moving forward) has been that there will never be any effort in sharing the various discussions here in the groups previously labelled “hate groups”. I don’t actually call them that any longer. I like to refer to them as the desperate groups.

The “issues” raised here in this group are important for so many reasons. So PLEASE, feel free to comment either way on issues shared in these discussions. As much as possible, we should encourage vigorous debate, but it should remain on topic and not become personal. When it does, administrators should intervene, ask offenders to edit or delete if appropriate and then if eventually necessary, delete the comments themselves or ban those guilty of making them. I have done this many times, even with some of my friends who (like myself) occasionally lose their cool when pushed. Some have modified their posts or deleted them.

Politics is NOT a blood sport as Brian Smith has quoted in the past. But in Wasaga Beach it sure has come close.

People who are concerned about the direction of their town, the sloppy spending, possible corrupt practices or simply incompetent governance, should be able to debate these things without fear of threat.

Unfortunately, the threats have become very real. Threats towards individuals, properties, pets and family members have become common. Those actually involved in politics have not only endured threats, but also real life assaults, property damage and very real stalking. But, it extended beyond even the politicians and anyone supporting them also had to endure many of these same challenges.

When my wife served as Deputy Mayor, these threats included rape threats, death threats and attacks on our business and our home. We bolstered security at both locations after all lug nuts on our van were loosened. We were not deterred and pressed on.

The bullying and intimidation is not right! It has to stop! Through the years, a few have said it was time to “heal the divide”. I agree, but it’s time for action, not just words. PLEASE come back for the next two days and hear my suggestions on how we should come together as a community and ensure a bright future.

Tomorrow, (#96) we will discuss “the divide”, how it was created, the purpose it serves and why one party is intent on feeding it.

The next day, (#97) we will discuss specific strategies to directly disable/ dismantle any intentional dividing of our citizens.

To be very clear, this in no way infers that ANYONE should stop being critical of our elected officials. I would hope that parties on all sides (there are more than 2) of the divide will see the true benefits that can come of ensuring disagreement can be expressed with kindness and reason.

Unify Wasaga Beach against intimidation and bullying.