(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha has a new mayor, and now, apparently, a new social media policy – no comments allowed. Kenosha has had a Facebook for about four years now. The previous mayor, John Antaramian, didn’t want much posted on social media.
Now that Bogdala (R) is the boss, there is more and more information going out to the public, which many find helpful. However, people are reporting to KCE that they are making comments critical of the City, and their comments are being removed, in conflict with the State of Wisconsin’s public records law. This can also be seen as an anti-first amendment position to take.
The posts are then being “locked down,” said one resident. KCE did in fact confirm that most posts that are published say at the bottom, “City of Kenosha Wisconsin Government limited who can comment on this post.”
Facebook doesn’t allow a blanket setting that disallows comments for every post. That means that every time the city posts of Facebook, the person making the post actually has to disable comments.
One such post, the city employee forgot to turn off posting, and someone commented. Then, posts were immediately turned off. One comment remains.
KCE contacted Mayor Bogdala and he didn’t wish to tell us why he doesn’t want to hear from residents on Facebook. Here are the posts that aren’t allowing comments:
49 Responses
He probably doesn’t want it swamped by dummies blaming everything on “libs” and “dems”. Hopefully they use it for informational stuff and keep the crackpots from ruining it.
You have been awarded 2 Social Credit points by the Ministry of Information. Thank you citizen. 10 more points and you may petition for a Thoughtcrime to be removed from your account .
It doesn’t matter what he wants. It’s against State of Wisconsin’s public records law.
It’s unconstitutional. Really straightforward stuff. We now have a fascist in power. Great idea electing a dictator.
The constitution talks about a social
Media app?
Oh, we have a constitutional scholar here. No, of course Facebook did not exist back when our forefathers drafted the Constitution. Neither did AR-15s. Neither did the internet. But our forefathers at the foresight to draft that beautiful document to cover things that did not exist yet. Social media is nothing more than a way for people to communicate. Free speech has been interpreted by judges to include the internet.
Blocking comments isn’t a violation of somebody’s freedom of speech. Feel free to share and comment in all the groups you want to or on your own posts.
We will agree that deleting comments would be a violation and you or others are welcome to take that issue to court.
It is clear they are using social as a tool to make public announcements rather than a tool for public input. You know as well as anybody there are plenty of other venues to provide formal input to the the city any time you want. Heck, you even posted on your own site about your disagreement with this specific use if social media.
It’s called the First Amendment.
Social media app has nothing to do with it.
If the government is going to use social media We The People have a right to use that app to petition our government for a redress of grievances.
This is our rights are taken away from us one little “ oh no big deal who cares “ , step at a time.
This isn’t North Korea – yet.
Well, if the label fits…
Hey Anonymous, even people who you deem “crackpots” have freedom of speech in America, dumbass.
You might want to read up on our First Amendment. I’d never want to take away anybody’s right to express themselves, especially
the Democrats like you who just keep proving how stupid you are. Keep yappin!
His argument can hold no water, which makes him an actual cracked pot.
Proof that liberals want to destroy free speech ^
Because people who are critical of Dems and libtards must be SILENCED at once! Right Libtard?
Who needs Facebook? THIS is the place to be for all your shitposting needs.
💥💣💥💣💥💣💥
Where’s the “laugh” emoji? That was clever!
Let’s hope KCE never stops allowing comments!
This doesn’t surprise me as Bogdala has a track record of ignoring public input. A few examples where he voted against the public: banning Zuckerbucks election dark money (60% of Kenosha County voted in favor), cannabis reform (80% voted in favor), the Casino, etc. That being said, he was still the best choice for mayor out of the 2.
Ok to let the mayor violate our freedom of speech just because he was the best of a bunch of crackpots!?!? So should we simply give a pass to shoplifters and drug dealers bc they could be doing something worse….you people are all nuts if you think this is ok.
lol facebook don’t cover your freedom of speech. Let someone post something about you or something you don’t like and I guarantee you quickly delete it.
Where’s your article about your time served on the city council? I was looking forward to it, see how the machine operates.
@Dave Mau, Bogdala certainly wasn’t ignoring G John Ruffolo’s input last night when he met the police outside of the Beach House At Simmons Island for a disturbance call and had G John standing there next to him with the police officers! It seems Bogdala definitely wants input from convicted Felon/stalker/scumbag who was stripped of his rights to serve in official city business, but not from the rest of us!
The guy was a super alderman.
He was super responsive to his constituents. I know he always was responsive to me. I wish you was still on City council.
I’m retired law enforcement and believe me. 35 years experience. I think he got a s***** wrap.
I just do t know how well all get by without being able to comment on a city post about pool hours or waste pickup…….
You don’t get it…SMH…
We have no say on anything, but keep paying your taxes and have NO say regarding anything they know it all.
Well. – your site you delete posts that you don’t agree with so how can you even be critical. Don’t post it and I will post this elsewhere. I’ve documented this numerous times. You know the truth and don’t have the courage to post everything as you proclaim.
This is not a government website. Big difference, but nice try.
Nah, Mr. Mathewson and I have disagreed on Nedweski several times- he never deletes, he respectfully disagrees, and we go back and forth. He really rarely dirty deletes. He runs a pretty stand-up site.
Newsflash: Kevin is a private citizen, he doesn’t run a government site (funded by taxpayers). He can do what he wants.
Then he shouldn’t pride himself on being for free speech. Kevin hates free speech.
Some people he deletes for no apparent reason…
All part of the Marxist manifesto. Even Hitler allowed for public comment!
*THOUGHTCRIME DETECTED**ALERT** THOUGHTCRIME DETECTED
They had social media back then?
Oh, we have a constitutional scholar here. No, of course Facebook did not exist back when our forefathers drafted the Constitution. Neither did AR-15s. Neither did the internet. But our forefathers at the foresight to draft that beautiful document to cover things that did not exist yet. Social media is nothing more than a way for people to communicate. Free speech has been interpreted by judges to include the internet.
Then why do you delete comments?!
Facebook. Come on man. Let someone post some shit about you on your page. Bet you delete it. Why does Facebook have the option to not allow people to
Even comment? Your getting this post way to much attention for something stupid
lol. It’s Facebook. Who cares
Who cares? First it’s they delet your opinion from Facebook, then it’s Letters to the Editor, then they silence you at public meetings. Freedom of speech is eroded little steps at a time, and before you know it you have the fbi busting down your door because your opinions don’t fall in line with the current administration. It all started with “Who cares?”.
Zion PD has been limiting who can comment on their FB page for years.
Still post on your own page in your own opinion. I don’t see the big deal.
Did you miss the part about it being illegal?
This isn’t news worthy. There are plenty of ways to communicate with the City if need be (Call, Email, in-person visits). I don’t have a Facebook account but from what I hear, it can be a cesspool at times. Now if the mayor doesn’t make himself available or doesn’t allow the public to speak at meetings, then yes, he should be called out on it! I don’t agree with Bogdala’s politics but this to me is a nothing burger.
I don’t see a big deal so long as all commenting is turned off, even if it has to be done individually. If the city of Kenosha wishes to have a Facebook page for making announcements only, I am fine with that so long as it doesn’t turn into a partisan opinion board. Long before there was facebook, there have been public bulletin boards behind glass doors, and no one
could comment on them.
Sound familiar…..Kevin does the same thing here. Weird how you would write this, knowing you delete comments on here all the time. Kevin is anti 1st ammendment, regardless of what his bio say.
Sounds like that dude in Bristol who can’t get a word in or answers
Bogdala is worse than Antaramian at the begging of his new found status of Mayor. Nothing is getting done that your constituents taxes suppoededly were raised. They were raised to pay Bogdala and his politicians to fatten their wallets. Bogdala promised and hasn’t followed through an damn thing. What good is he for ? Pays for unnecessary green dye to go onto the harbor! Why aren’t the the things that need to get done to make Kenosha and better and safer town, happening. It’s going backwards. Hope yall eyes wide open. Keep trusting the lack of transparency on your city