“The only source of official Coldstream business is the District of Coldstream website (www.districtofcoldstream.ca),” said Coun. Doug Dirk.
Currently two Coldstream councillors have personal websites – Maria Besso (www.besso.ca) and Gyula Kiss (http://coldstreamernews.blogspot.com/).
A concerned citizen’s letter to the editor published in The Morning Star Sunday stated that Kiss’ website goes beyond a personal site and looks to have the district’s approval.
Kiss’ website provides news information and acts as a blog and outlet for the councillor and residents to express opinions. There is a disclaimer on the website explaining that the opinions do not represent that of Coldstream council.
“I believe that statement is very clearly stated on the website,” said Kiss, adding that since the letter to the editor was published his readership has actually gone up.
Besso’s website does not include a disclaimer, but she has been asked to provide one.
“My website is not a blog, it’s strictly a website that’s informational,” said Besso.
Although concerns have been raised about links from personal websites to the District of Coldstream, they are deemed appropriate.
“The more exposure the website gets from other individuals is beneficial,” said Kiss.
Coldstream’s chief administrative officer, Michael Stamhuis, agrees.
“If we’re going to encourage people to look at the website I think that’s an excellent way to do it.”
Only if it were the other way around, and Coldstream was promoting personal websites (it does have links to government and useful service organizations websites) would it be questionable, said Stamhuis.
It was also determined that content from the District of Coldstream website is OK for viewers to copy and paste and use on personal sites.
“It’s there for public view,” said Stamhuis.
Although the same rules do not apply for copyright material.
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