A New Way To Communicate

As many of you have noted, I have suspended interaction on the Ruston Truth blog. The exchanges got crazy, nasty and hateful in the last week. I was hoping we could find some new ways to openly exchange opinions, without my being in the center of the mix. My involvement has become a distraction and focal point; and nothing new or positive was happening in our conversation on this blog.

Someone with much more technical know-how has taken this opportunity to set up a new forum called Free Ruston!!! You can get to the main page by clicking here. Everyone can exchange ideas on local politics, memories, town hall or public safety services or even continue the negative conversation if we want on the complaint page.

Here is the welcome message ~ check it out and let's keep talking!
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Hello and welcome to the Free Ruston Message Forum!

This a new media outlet for the Town of Ruston where you can post your news, pictures, comments, and exchange ideas, both positive and negative, with others who live in Ruston.

Why a Message Forum?It's better than a blog. Rather than having an administrator decide what needs to be discussed, all participants can start topics, post comments and participate in active discussion with the issues that matter. I think you'll find it far more enjoyable and refreshing of an outlet than what you have experienced in the past.

How to Participate:
Anyone can read the posts and comments on this entire forum. You DO NOT need to register on this forum to post, but you can if you wish to maintain an active account. Participation is 100% free. If you do register you may receive occasional emails from this forum about updates and news that pertains solely to this forum, but again--you don't need to register to post.

Forum Rules:
Unlike blogs and other outlets in the past, this forum is considered as a "free for all" place to share and exchange ideas, both positive and negative. Share your news, town meeting notes, and opinions about the happenings in Ruston.

Special Features:
Lots of Ruston residents are very vocal and have a lot of things to talk about. They also have issues and complaints to bring up. A special "Complaint Department" has been set up for this purpose. This room has been created in the spirit of the "Ruston Truth" blog, but offers much more flexibility in terms of what you can do there. If you are offended easily, simply do not read that forum. However if you have a complaint, a rant, or are upset about something and want it to be known, that is your forum.

Other Notes:
We highly encourage the owners of the other Ruston outlets (such as Ruston Home) to post meeting minutes, notes, and the happenings from the town just like what is done on the other forums.

One final note:
The only forum that has topics started by administrators only is this one--the Free Ruston Announcements Forum. These announcements pertain only to this Message Forum and not to Ruston, therefore visitors can only reply to messages here. Everywhere else is free game, so enjoy!

Who is Don Knotts:
Call me Mister Furley if you want. I am not a member of the Ruston government system, nor would I want to be. I have lived in Ruston for many years and am very familiar with the politics and hot subjects and know a number of residents there. Who I am is not important--that we have this board, is. Please enjoy this new opportunity and if you have any questions, just let us know. You can send me a message through this forum for ideas or if you need further help.

That's it--start posting!