Very good proposal. Are the 250 team going to police this Ben?

What a bizarre post. One would have to presume that you already know this behaviour is going on and this is your version of a backhanded warning that you intend to out whomever is doing it if they continue.

You might think the behaviour you’re talking about is repugnant but there is a thousand ways to do it indirectly and without anyone knowing. It’s an age old tactic on new medium.

I’d caution you about playing fast and loose with private information that is under your care.

I’m pretty sure Ben wouldn’t post anyone’s real name without their permission. But he could stop them from posting all together!

I am hoping that the voting public is getting wise and will take any opportunity to ask the candidates their positions on any item or items that are of concern.

I am not sure how a website could police this. Today it’s so easy create what ever name you want with a email account you can creat in 20 secs of time. Best of luck Ben but is it realistic ?

I agree that this is a little bizarre and is going to be hard to implement if someone decides they don’t want to come forward.

Is this just for new posts moving forward or are we going to unmask people that have been posting for 5+ years?

If you look at the name I am posting under, you can be reasonably sure it is the real name of a real person. I have never posted under a pseudonym be cause I am willing to be responsible for my views to anyone who hears or reads them. I always wonder about the person behind comments posted under a pseudonym. I am aware that Mark Twain was a pseudonym. I am not sure that Samuel Clements was right to do that.

Ben will be able to follow through with this policy, if he so chooses. I think it would be foolish to state such a policy without following through. I will be pleased to read real names instead of things like No Way and Give More.

While I completely agree political people shouldn’t be bias and comment, wouldn’t it be easier to just turn off the commenting algorithm of this webpage for each story written about politics and all the sub stories it falls under instead of making people leave your website? That’s what going to happen. When I signed up back in the day, I think usernames were not to be your real name. That was before the dawn of social media.

What about a fence sitter? One that is considering possibly running, but is not yet sure about making that kind of commitment. Is this policy about candidates that are already in office, or already committed to running, or is it about potential candidates as well?

I have considered running, because I don’t think PG is managed well and is not performing anywhere near its potential. I see far to much waste of precious tax dollars, and I would like to see the investments made into a livable growing city I would like to raise my family in.

On the other hand I have lived in PG my entire life, and being opinionated I am sure there are others that would relish the chance to shame me for views I have made in the past. Attacks on my character taken out of context might slide off of me, but not so much family, friends, and co-workers.

If I was to run I don’t think I could decide until August at the earliest depending on my situation at that time. A policy like this has some merit during an election campaign, but I think we are too far away from that at this time IMO.

That said I would defend or at least try to rationalize anything I have ever posted, as I always try to be genuine with my concerns and not vindictive or unthoughtful… and that makes for some potential unfriendly detractors to be sure.

This policy makes perfect sense to me. If you’re running for public office and you wish to comment on a platform policy of either yourself or another candidate then you should have no issues doing it as yourself and not via your 250news nom de plume.

@Eagleone…”unfriendly detractors…”? Think of Harper, only on a municipal scale. After all, it’s a thankless job. You should know that by now.

Besides, if I want to feel inadequate I can always get married again.

I think it is is beneficial if you are running for office to say who you are when giving your opinion. I am not sure I really agree with forcing (encouraging) a politician to do this.

I read 250 News for two reasons. The stories are current/local and second the opinions.

If I was running for office I would post on every post as myself. Great exposure – I understand 250 News gets a million hits a month.

Best of luck to the politician who figures this out first.

i believe curbside recycling is an important thing for pg, we need it.
recently mayor and council have been negotiating an agreement with mmbc to provide the service to some residential properties in pg.
here is what Kelvin Mcculloch has to say about mmbc
http://www.courierislander.com/opinion/mmbc-deal-should-be-causing-us-all-concern-1.951033

Why stop at politicians? This site would improve greatly if everyone had to post under their real names!

Hello 250 News. My name is Jillian Merrick and I intend to run for Prince George city council this year.

jillian: “Why stop at politicians? This site would improve greatly if everyone had to post under their real names!”

First of all, good for you for posting under your real name. As for the rest of us… it ain’t gonna happen. Too many nut cases in this town who would threaten to burn your house down for having a different opinion than theirs.