Not talking that won’t start the rumors lol

Circling the wagons REALLY early in her term. Strange that Bone contacted O250…like a teenage girl….I’m NOT talking to you!

Perhaps it has something to do with the constant negative outlook this website reports and focuses on.

If the negativity, as you call it, is inaccurate, then you would think she would want to make sure the people know the true facts. I can only assume she would rather the local media only report the GOOD things she has done. And they have. Not O250s fault if there is very little to no good things to report so far in her term. Can you enlighten us on some of the good decisions she has made that is saving taxpayers money or improving our services?
Hmmm? Didn’t think so.

I fully disagree with Maverick’s comment re: “constant negative outlook this website reports and focuses on”(if its that bad read something else). I appreciate that Opinion 250 actually asks the questions that other media shy’s away from. All levels of government actually work for the people (although they do not act like it) and should be held accountable to the tougher questions related to the decisions they make while spending my tax money. I want to know where my money is going and should be told. There should be no secrets its BS the new mayor assistant’s wage is kept hidden…I’m paying the wage!!!! Oh by the way I’m pretty sure I am going to get a distracted driving ticket soon from being distracted from trying to miss all the pot holes, but sure am glad were getting a dyke.

Yes Maverick, O250 should be reporting how good are streets are(between the potholes) and how cheap the air is above our parking lots when compared to other cities.

When she ran fer the mayors chair was she unaware that she wasn’t gonna please every one?

Democracy doesn’t work without a healthy media. If there is no one to question or hold our government to account, then it will fail. Our leaders must know that we have to have a strong media whether they like it or not…

I think this is a pretty poor decision that Green is making.

These are the same tactics Christy is using with her Harper approved Sara MacIntyre – Director of Communications. Honestly, what do the politicians think, that if they keep the media at arms length, it will keep the shite from stickin’?

Good for green!!

I’m sure that gang green is on life support now thank heaven!oops!

Maybe she’d agree to talk with Opinion 250 if the comments were turned off ;)

This is not the first time that a Mayor has refused to speak with Opinion 250. Kinsley would not speak either.

lulz

With any luck at all she will resign. She may have won the election but has certainly done her best in the months since to alienated the electorate. Rodgers was a disappointment but Green takes the prize.

Judging by most of the comments on here, I can see why she wouldn’t want to talk to O250.

Another reason to sink the media teeth deeper into the closed door policy.

If Green hated opinion 250 before now shes really going to hate it.

This is nothing more than a big middle finger to the people of Prince George. Guess she’s too good to talk to us little people.

Obviously Opinion 250 is attacking her because she cancelled the advertising contract.

It appears that unless you pay……you don’t get good coverage.

Simply put, not talking speaks volumes.

Curmudgeon Corner isn’t really ‘the media’. It’s a blog site with a definite bias. I also doubt it gets anywhere near the actual traffic some people would like to believe.

Ghost of Hugh Nicholson still floating through the streets of PG.

Like another Nicholson(Jack)said “she can’t handle the truth”

Yeah well maybe Opinion 250 didn’t want to talk to her either. Take that and a bag of chips!!!! LOL. Wow.

You are just so bang on there Vegetable, you and your buddies monkeyboots and doublenickel. Opinion 250 has nothing but negative stories. it doesn’t report on Rick Hansen, doesn’t report on money for Nodic Ski, on the cancer centre, on the gang program, the United Way, CNC, UNBC, doesn’t support the local sporting community such as the World Baseball Challenge, the hockey teams, university teams. No, all it does is report the negative stuff. Maybe your crowd should look up meaning of “you reap what you sew”. So far Green is sewing a bunch of negativity.

Wonder if it was commonwealth that put 250 muzzle on her?

All I can say is “wow”…. and shake my head with disgust and awe. What a completely childish manoeuvre. I guess she’s starting to figure out being Mayor isn’t about scented candles, throw pillows and potpourri.

If she didn’t want Team Ben nosing about in her business, she just went about the wrong way of handling it.

She should be embarrassed, but she’s not. She thinks she’s Queen Bee and we’re all the peons that work for HER, when it’s actually the other way around.

The talk is far beyond opinion 250 at this point.

What people should really be putting their minds to is the like minded people that support her agenda.

Call it whatever you want, I fully support whatever methods are used to exspose the backroom BS that clearly has overstepped the good of the people.

I guess what really boils my onions is her Valley girl approach to those that dare to question her!

WTH!!! “One Democrat” What did I say to group me with passtheveggies???

I in no way believe this current direction is a valid communications strategy.

In my mind opinion 250 does a good job covering all aspects of this community.

Call me on my BS but don’t lump me with someone elses BS that I in no way support.

There are a few things being discussed here that are worth expanding on. They range from the difference between the stories being covered and the comments being made to the right of freedom of speech and choice. It is part of the reality of new media.

The mayor has a right to say she won’t be speaking to a member of the media. In my opinion it is not well thought out but still her right.

If she is putting a gag order on the public administration that report to her preventing them from answering questions from a member of the media then that is reprehensible and should be fully covered and soundly criticized by ALL the media.

The reality is that those that write the stories or “host” a blog such as this that gets comments are not beyond the law. Libel and slander comes into play and the owner of this site is responsible (or libel) as the case may be for both the stories and the comments. That is why most of these types of blogs are monitored to limit the risk of being sued.

As for the stories being posted it has been my observation that most are balanced and have included the important issues of the day and many times faster than the mainstream media. The stories have included some of the news that doesn’t provoke comments such as Rick Hansen’s tour or other events and fundraisers and yes even some hockey and basketball results.

With all this said, it’ll be entertaining to see what the mayor does when Op250 rolls the camera and asks her a question following a public Council meeting. What does she do run away or does she plan to call in a couple of security to escort the media away? Will those security be new hires for her office as well?

Passtheveggies wrote:
“This is not the first time that a Mayor has refused to speak with Opinion 250. Kinsley would not speak either.”

Although former Mayor Kinsley chose not to be a guest on the Meisner show, he never refused comment or interviews with Opinion250. To suggest otherwise is false.
—
Passtheveggies also wrote:”Obviously Opinion 250 is attacking her because she cancelled the advertising contract. It appears that unless you pay……you don’t get good coverage.”
Opinion250 does not base its “coverage” on who pays for advertising. We abide by the Radio Television Digital News Association ethics which includes this article:

ARTICLE FIVE (Independence)
Independence is a fundamental value and we will resist any attempts at censorship that would erode it. Electronic journalists will resist pressures to change or alter the news. Intrusion into content, real or apparent should be resisted.

We are not “attacking” the Mayor, If she finds herself at the centre of some controversial matters, that is not Opinion250’s “fault”.

-Elaine Macdonald

Elaine McDonald is a professional, a remarkable and respected news person from the old school. Not a dirt disher or gossip! She provides an unbiased view from the street. A refreshing approach in this city!

Who cares whether she communicates with us or not? Let’s move on and talk to openminded people who CAN take the heat and STAY in the kitchen!

Brian, your turn is coming!

‘Democracy doesn’t work without a healthy media’.

O-250 isn’t part of the ‘media’. It’s a website where old people go to complain about pot-holes and the high price of gas and to post half-baked conspiracy theories.

If the UFO Spotting Society asked Mayor Green for an interview I’m sure she’d decline that one too.

Just who is Green taking direction from? running from the media will only cause more pain than gain. Open Government means you take the good with the bad if your agenda is open and you believe your right then address the questions if not then hide and face the music…

“rocky” do you really believe an internet news site with as many hits as opinion 250
is not media?

Well if my mayor won’t talk to me and I pay taxes then am I required to pay taxes?

looks like she just might have things to hide if asked the wrong questions.
O 250 is not just about old people compaining about pot holes, it is about people who care and comment about what is going on in this city, both positive and negative. Rocky, if you go back over the years you would see that.
have a great day.

Surefire, If you are over 55 and have at least 25% equity in your home, you have the ability to apply to defer your property taxes until you sell your home, or die. So, you may have options.

I am of the opinion that Mayor Shari Green is relatively new to this type of position. So, I will extend her some latitude and some grace as she works her way through the minefields. How she handles issues will determine the amount of support or criticism she may receive.

She is human and entitled to make mistakes. I will allow her that. We all know there are consequences. And, Sheri will also find that out.

But, in the meantime, she did get voted in by a majority of our voters. We owe it to her to encourage her, guide her, direct her, influence her and give her desired kudos when she does things we support and maybe well intended criticism when she falls short of our expectations.

She is still our Mayor. Like it or not. I’ve learned that I can attract more bees with honey than kicking over the bee hive. (which I did for years, by the way)

Do we really need the Green opinion? Peter Ewert just told us on another site where our Mayor is going and it isnt to heaven with her “Core Review”.
Cheers

She probably read the comments section of stories on here that contain her name and said, “Why bother?”.

Must be learning from cristy. That’s how she operates nowadys. Refuses to talk about anything. But guess what? There is an article posted today online. Find it here.

http://alexgtsakumis.com/

The article is about the bc rail scandal. I see there is nothing in the MSM about this. It is all true and it should be read by every taxpayer in BC. It is wikileaks BC style. This article is mindboggling. It might just make cristy and many others not be able to refuse to answer for these things. All our favorite actors in this show from vasi to RCMP members. Cristys brother and all the family so take a look. It is your tax dollars hard at work and the corruption is absolutely inbelievable.

Having someone make the call to O-250 for her allows Mayor Green some deniability should she one day decide it is expedient to respond to ‘250. The call can now be described as a miscommunication, if necessary.
Standard political behaviour.
metalman.

Why woulod she.. she knows she is a horrible mayor and Opinion250 would hold no punches and be made look like a fool. she would rather hide away and play solitaire on her PC and think of ways of wasting more of our money with no repercussions till election day.

Hey veggie .. about your “Good for green!!” comment. .. is this what the new assistant to the mayor is hired to do? Troll around opinion boards and rah rah every decision green makes? Pathetic.

“Kinsley would not speak either” .. and your point is? The mayor who has done the single most damage to this town wouldn’t talk to O250? Wonder why? Another pathetic statement from the vegetable patch.

never mind ,just ask her to fill in the Pot Holes, plenty around to keep her busy!

“Obviously Opinion 250 is attacking her because she cancelled the advertising contract” .. and how would you know this? Next time just yell “TROLL” so everyone can see it.

To say I don’t like Green’s “leadership” style would be an understatement. Her actions don’t measure up to what she says; a slippery slope as far as I’m concerned. If you can’t be counted on to follow through on what you say and stay on message, what good are you?

I get a distinct puppet feel about her leadership. Maybe this is her handlers’ way of keeping her consistent by not having her foreshadow what her intentions are to begin with. If you never say what you intend to do, but just do what the handlers tell you to then you can’t come off as wishywashy right?

Hopefully, this will be another one term Mayor… Fetterly is starting to look better all the time. He doesn’t seem very bright, but I get the impression he is a straight shooter.

Duh! I say she needs to sit down for a session,Puff,puff,pass…

As for opinion 250 being a site for old people to complain about pot holes. Absolutely correct. The only problem is I was young when I first starting complaining and have grown old complaining. Much the same as the number of pot holes have grown in numbers over the years.

Chester: She is still our Mayor. Like it or not. I’ve learned that I can attract more bees with honey than kicking over the bee hive.

I hear you on this chester and normally I would agree that “to make an error is human and forgiveness is divine” or to that effect; however, policiticians such as Ms. Green carry too much power and shoulder to much responsibility – and hence can cause too much damage in a very short amount of time, that the expectations for solid, strong and forthright leadership is a must. Ms. Green has lived in the City for years, served a term on Council and new full well what she was getting herself into.

Mayor Green and Council have made decisions that effect people’s livelihoods and the direction of this community for years to come, effecting their most prized possession these days – their wallet. All we ask, is for them to know their facts, make thoughtful decisions that benefit the majority, that they can be “loud and proud” about/defend on the front lines, and exhibit the leadership style that attracts respect. So far, there have been too many decisions made that are to the contrary. You cannot keep everyone happy, no indeed, but there have been many politicians that have made the hard decisions and still earned the majority respect.

If Ms. Green is feeling “picked on” then perhaps she should re-evaluate her actions thus far. The “bees and honey” thing goes both ways.

Oh, and “passtheveggies” if the only retort you have is to shoot off the hand that is pointing the finger…well, folks are too educated and grown up for those highschool theatrics. Back your opinion with facts that will counter Ms. Green laundry list of bad moves thus far.

Unfortunately, it is more arrogance that is hindering Ms. Green in the ring of public opinion and not her inexperience.

The suggestion that some posters have brought up about O250 not being a ‘real’ news site, I really just have to ask you…would you rather get your news from the Citizen? The way people get their news is changing, and it is too bad that Mayor Green doesn’t want to be a part of that.

Some people dont like to answer the tough questions because they are not confident or competent. Another poster put it well when they commented on the puppet feel of this regime. Starting to think that taking huge ads out in the local paper is a sure fire way to become a somebody in this town.

Politics at every level are so disgusting. I’m not an “old person” on this site by the way. And I appreciate the wisdom from many of the contributors here. Some of the “older” posters were raised in an era of work ethic and questioning authority. Unfortunately, some psychopath politicians realized this awhile back and began the agenda to dumb down our society by degrading education and keeping the masses distracted/brainwashed with materialistic pursuits. It’s easier to pull off your individual goals if the majority is too stupid or lazy to care. Kudos to you Mayor Green, enjoy your 3 year gravy train. Start collecting a war chest for reelection campaign.

Chester…Kick the beehive over and I gaurantee you will attract more bee’s (instantly) than by using honey.

As for this site being for old people, that would be because they are the group that votes, and stays informed. Here is some statistics on voting from Stats Can.

In 2011, the voting turnout rate was 50% among people age 18 to 24. 70% for those aged 45 to 54, and a whopping 82% for those aged 65 to 74. Soooooooo?

If you are a politician you had better be aware of these stats, and you had better be aware what the older people are thinking.

Insofar as this site being negative. I have noticed over the years if you take a contrary point of view, or do not stick with the status quo, you get accused of being negative.

As an example. If I state that the Airport Runway Expansion which cost us in excess of $36 Million dollars and after 5 years no planes have landed is a waste of money, I get accused of being negative.

However if the Airport reports that passenger numbers for 2011 exceeded those for 2010, this is considered as positive, even though the 2011 numbers are still less than the 2008 numbers.

If I say that the sales to China while significant are really taking place because of the Russian Embargo on logs to China, and the beetle kill timber, and the fact that 90% of the lumber is used for concrete forms as opposed to building houses, this is construed by some to be negative.

Pat Bell on the other hand can state that lumber shipments to China are up, and revenue for China sales are comparable to sales to the US and this is positive, even though the sales to the USA have a better return per 1000FBM and there is a 15% tax on exports to the USA that does not apply to sales to China.

Having an alternate point of view is not negative, in fact it is essential if you want to get the whole story.

Have a nice day.

WOW! With your readership, that’s an astounding thing for a Mayor to do.
Keep truck’in Ben, Maintain the Right.

Palopu your right. Alternate view points are often slagged because they are just that.

Those writing off opinion 250 and calling people old bastards is not productive. Sounds a bit like a mean teenager/bully.

But It does inspire us who question, to question more.

Rocky, I am an older person. However, unlike you, I was born in Prince George in 1952. I watched this Village go from a little place where it’s southern border was 17th Avenue, to the City it was. I have an opinion, and yes, I do not like the fricken potholes.

But for HER MAJESTY GREEN to say she won’t talk to the media……….well she should have her sorry butt kicked to the curb!! Better yet, she should be run the hell out of town. WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?

I want to know what happens if a candidate doesn’t spend all of their campaign contributions like Shari. Is she actually allowed to keep the surplus and make money off of the campaign?

And one more thing Rocky, you can leave with her!! Seriously, GO, because I DON’T LIKE YOUR OPINION!

Imagine you Prince Georgians had some REAL problems in your lives? The good news would be that you would have far less time to complain about things so trivial.

Opinion 250 isn’t real media. A real internet media site screens for defamation and libel. That’s not the case on this site. In the future, if Opinion 250 becomes a real media site, I think the city should reconsider. But as it sits now, I can’t blame them for keeping their distance. This place is a law suit waiting to happen.

The truth is not libelous. Neither is fair comment.
Is suggesting 0-250 is a law suit in the waiting, fair comment or have you made a statement that is libelous ?

and Mitch thank you for being an avid reader.

Well Mitch, I beg to differ with you. The Mayor and Councilors are paid by the citizens of Prince George. They are in that way, open to scrutiny by all, including Opinion 250!

And don’t you worry, Opinion 250 will pull you back if you step over the line, just ask me!

taxi

Palopu says,…”Insofar as this site being negative. I have noticed over the years if you take a contrary point of view, or do not stick with the status quo, you get accused of being negative”

Absolutely agree!

Those that don’t like it when their actions are questioned are usually those doing the accusing. Imagine if no one complained about anything. The overseers would get away with whatever pleased them.

Well it’s the beginning of the end for Mayor Green when she won’t be interviewed by local media. She obviously has much to hide and is over her head. The big money machine got her elected, but unfortunately big money can’t foster the experience needed to run a City. She is too young and too prone to be manipulated by the string pullers and so she comes across as a puppet.

Oh look one of them posted right above my last post!

Oh look it happened again!

Wow! Did I miss something! We have a Director of Communications at the City. I must have missed the job posting. When was Chris Bone hired? Is she related to any other Bones working for the City? How much are we paying this person? We set a new benchmark when the City hired the last one.
I think there is much more to this story than most realize. Keep asking the questions Ben. If mean Green won’t talk that may not be all bad. So far her comments to the press have only proven how inept she is

Rocky like to see your opinion when you are one of us old farts someday. If this site is not media then why are you here.

Mich give us an example of real media instead of huffing and puffing.

Richd I suggest you prove your statement or you can be held for libel.

Ben looks like you kicked over the bees nest. Also Ben you should get a T-shirt printed, bully-blogger.

Thwe wife and I voted for her . Went wont next election

Well I will grant you this, I am old as the hills, but I have never kicked over a behive unless it was empty which is the case in question. Maybe I shouldn’t kick it over but damn it feels so good. Maybe if there is something inside of that beehive maybe she would start thinking about how many lives she is affecting.

I bet she reads everything on 250 any way though. Don’t you Sheri.

I would expect elected officals to be transparent and cooperative with media. Part of the job description I would think.

If you want to see someone’s true character, give them, just a pinch, of power.

Doesn’t the rest of city council have a say in how hiring is conducted at city hall?? Are they not just as accountable as the mayor?

This was predictable. Puppets don’t speak on their own.

Ah come on, should we expect anything less. Mr. Meisner would eat her alive, she would make herself look like a fool.

Mr. Meisner could eat her alive. However, I think Mr. Meisner would chose not to ….

It is an interesting position for a Mayor to take, one which is very delicate to get out of.

http://buffalowebcam.com/news/mayor-refuses-to-talk-to-newspapers-reporters

Looks like Green is a student of the Ford School of City Governance.

“Toronto’s mayor has cut off one of the city’s daily newspapers.

“Rob Ford says he won’t send any official communications to the Toronto Star — or answer any of its reporters’ questions — until the paper issues a front-page apology for an article that he says was false.

“The Star responded with this headline in Friday’s edition: “Ford to Star: Drop Dead.

“The newspaper says it will file a complaint with the city’s integrity commissioner.”

Hmmmm … so do we need a City Integrity Commissioner?

If one tells a story during an interview it better be 100% truthful and not a bunch of made-up baloney!

Why?

Well, if one always tells the truth then one does not have to be afraid to be interviewed again and run the risk of not remembering the made-up baloney from the first time.

Signed, Judge Judy. :-)

Opinion 250 is real media, if you don’t like it I guess you don’t like it.

To shut out a single media channel in a community speaks volumes.

Do people who post get out out of hand at times, yes. Do people get out of hand at community meetings at times, yes. Do people who care get out of hand when they are ignored, yes.

If you close the door it will only fuel anger and questions. So what!, we all have different views on the way we see the world. Disagreement is and always has been our way forward as a society. To deny disagreement is an arm of Fascism.

That’s ok if you think Fascism is OK but I and most others do not.

Hmmmm … so do we need a City Integrity Commissioner?

Don’t give them any more ideas for how they could waste more money.

Remember, this election was won partly under the slogan of having a “conversation”.

One does not need a thing, new2pg, until something goes wrong. Engineer, educate, enforce.

1. Devise a system – in this case a system that says that it is the role of politicians to communicate with the public in a transparent (truthful and honest) fashion, with intergrity and without prejudice.

2. If that does not work, then we need to educate all concerned how it works.

3. and if that does not work, then we need to enforce it.

Of course, if we do not believe in #1 above, then we need go no further and jsut sit back and watch as our governance system crumbles.

having a “conversation”.

If you own some land in the core she will be more than happy to converse.

She isn’t avoiding the media, btw, she is avoiding O-250.

“She isn’t avoiding the media, btw, she is avoiding O-250.”

Check the front page of today’s citizen.

No.

Give it up weaksauce the sky is blue and 0-250 is a valid form of media that is widely used in this region.

If it’s not a form of media will someone please define what O-250 is?