Participation Guidelines
The City of Flagstaff (the “City”) has partnered with OpenGov, a third-party online forum provider, to create a civic engagement platform that will allow the citizens of Flagstaff get more involved in City government. Flagstaff Community Forum is a forum for the discussion of proposed City projects and upcoming policy topics related to local government in the City and its partner agencies. The topics are generated by City staff, commissions, and Council for the purpose of public participation in current government decision making.
To ensure that all voices are heard and that forum participants are able to speak freely about the posted topics, participants who register to use the forum must agree to not post disruptive statements. Disruptive statements include the following:
- Statements that do not relate to the posted topic;
- Personal attacks and statements that threaten or abuse other forum participants, members of the public, City staff or City officials;
- Statements that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, region, disability, etc.
- Hate speech of any kind;
- Statements containing any sort of commercial advertising or soliciting funds, goods, or services;
- Repetitive or meaningless messages (“spam”);
- A statement from a user who has falsified their registration information with the intent to post multiple statements in one topic or to misrepresent their city of residence; and
- Statements that include obscene, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise illegal material.
OpenGov, acting as the forum monitor, will remove any disruptive statements that are posted on the forum. Forum participants who post disruptive statements may lose their posting privileges.
Frequently asked questions about the participation guidelines
Why does Open Town Hall monitor for disruptive statements?
OpenGov is a non-partisan company dedicated to building public trust in government and broadening civic engagement. Many people will not participate, if the forum has disruptive statements.
Does Open Town Hall find many disruptive statements?
No. Disruptive statements are quite rare - less than one in a thousand statements on OpenGov moderated topics nationwide are disruptive.
What does Open Town Hall do if they find a disruptive statement?
OpenGov
- moves the statement to a different web page,
- describes the problem in an email to the author, and
- invites the author to change the statement.
Does Open Town Hall ever edit or delete statements?
Never. Only the statement's author can edit or delete a statement. If a statement is removed from the public website, it will still be seen by the City of Flagstaff and be part of the public record.
If I disagree with someone, can I post my opinion?
Yes. Open Town Hall encourages open dialog and debate which, by necessity, includes disagreements.
How do I know if my statement is a 'disagreement' or a 'personal attack'?
Personal attacks are disparaging remarks which impute motives to a person's action. Statements of fact, or of your own opinion are generally not personal attacks.
Here are some examples of statements which are, and are not, personal attacks.
Personal Attack v. Not A Personal Attack
He is a liar. V. He said he did X, but in fact he did Y.
She misrepresented the truth. V. I don't believe what she said.
He is greedy. V. He is making money from this project.
It is merely a power play on her part. V. She will announce her candidacy soon.
Translate
What is your favorite aspect of Northern Arizona’s or Flagstaff's landscape or history?
Living in the worlds largest stand of ponderosa pine. Also the diversity of the inhabitants of Flagstaff now and in the past.
Who are the past and present heroes of the Southside and why?
Those memorialized on the Murdoch Center mural. Mr. Riles. Those who worked so hard to create the Southside Community Plan.
What is the most fascinating discovery you’ve found on the Southside?
Diversity and history of the houses!
What would you like to see in the Southside that is not there now, or what is there now which you would like to see more of?
Vibrant businesses. More community. More investment by the city. Safer bicycle lanes along San Francisco and Beaver streets.
What do you want to see less of on the Southside?
Less crime. Less fear of walking the streets at night.
What do you want to see preserved or brought back to the Southside?
Investment. Keep the uniqueness and preserve the existing houses. Don't tear them down.
If you use public transit, what do you think about or do when waiting and riding?
No response.What would your ideal public transit or other experience be like at the new DCC Transit Facility?
Be surrounded by beautiful art that celebrates the southside as well as Flagstaff. Feeling safe there. Having the DCC be a public space where people feel comfortable, where they can park bikes and arrive by bus (leaving cars at home) and participate in First Friday Art Walks, the Farmer's Market on Sunday, events downtown, and supporting local downtown businesses.
Do you have an inspiring, interesting, or unusual story to share focused on traveling (riding a bike, taking the bus, being on a train trip, being on a road trip with family or friends)?
Love traveling by train and departing and arriving home downtown. Such a unique experience and one that makes my family love Flagstaff.
Imagine that you are making a film at the new reimagined DCC. What genre would it be? Pick up to three:
Briefly describe what it is about a new DCC or its immediate surroundings that compelled you to choose those genres.
Joyful, happy, fun.
What would make a great title for your movie?
No response.What might the key highlights, climatic moments, or plot points of your movie be?
No response.