This kind of mindset and closed-minded thinking is nothing more than killing the messenger. We provided this discussion board (pre-Facebook days) to build a badly needed bridge of communication between elected government leaders and the voters. Also, between parents and those who have served on our school boards and school administrators, and for local residents to hold discussions with no topic off limits.
Membership grew at a staggering speed and discussions were often very passionate and at times turned into very heated debates. As this happened it also opened a door of communication that led to a bigger door being opened, the door of accountability.
Some loved it, and some hated it, but however you may have felt about it, it filled the gap in communication. Now days, the board has slowed down and we are perfectly fine with that. What we as well as others have learned through this 15 plus year process is, once Facebook was created and became popular an even bigger lesson awaited us all.
That lesson is, that the need for a discussion board that allows anonymity is no longer in demand, as Facebook account holders don't hesitate to call each other out, point fingers and rip each other apart, sparing no feelings what so ever all under their proper names.
Back to our original point, disliking the website only because of one very small feature, is like disliking an entire newspaper because of one section you don't particularly care for.
The new layout of our website is being marketed as the area's on-line newspaper. It has many sections now such as local advertisers, local news, we have a Townships section, a FYI section out of Granite City, city hall, and an announcement section, a fundraiser section, an entertainment section and a viewers submitted article section, and at our library section.
We have the area's most complete and sometimes, hourly updated obituary page. We have also recently included a help wanted section for those looking for employment. This year, we are also listing all yard sale submissions free of charge.
All of our advertising banners, when clicked, open to a full page of information with pictures and information and some include video.
We have navigator buttons that lead to area newspapers, schools, local churches, organizations and most information needed by anyone that may be "new to Granite City". We also have a city hall phone directory and a link that gives you the school breakfast and lunch menus.
At the bottom of the front page we have even included a daily horoscope for those who miss an actual hand held real page turning newspaper.
Our suggestion to people who claim to dislike our website, you are well within your right to your opinion, we just ask that you realize exactly what it is you are declaring to dislike.
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