Bells Corners BIA used in a personal social media spat
Posted Feb 22, 2019 09:55:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A little social media training could be needed for the Executive Director of the Bells Corners Business Improvement Area.
Late Thursday night, a social media spat took place on Twitter when one user (@vote4robgill) criticized Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod.
Her husband and Executive Director of the Bells Corners BIA Joe Varner came to her defence, and there was a bit of a back-and-forth between the two before Varner was blocked.
That's when he reportedly turned to the Bells Corners BIA Twitter account to continue the argument. It's also when the spat became an issue, according to Social Media expert Sherrilynne Starkie.
She explained to 1310 NEWS, that Varner's online behaviour sent the wrong message.
“It certainly makes it obvious to [members of the public], that [the Bells Corners BIA is] maybe not really at the cutting edge of digital communications and they need to take it more seriously.”
Starkie said that the BIA may want to consider creating a social media policy for anyone with access to its Twitter account.
“[A policy which] clearly outlines, you know, basically don't be stupid,” she explained. “Behave with integrity when you're online and representing our organization.”
The Chair of the Bells Corners BIA Jim Sourges explained to 1310 NEWS that his group, which represents more the 225 businesses, is not a political group. He said the BIA has the best interests of local businesses in mind.
Newly appointed Bell Corners BIA Director Scott Statham, from Scotty's Corner Diner, said he had not seen the social media spat, but that he wasn't sure it would benefit the business improvement area. Statham added that it wasn't a good idea to use the Twitter account the way Varner did, as it should be used to encourage growth in a positive way.
The tweets were deleted from the Bells Corners Twitter account on Friday afternoon, but not before screenshots were taken and shared (they can be found in the gallery above).
The BIA has not issued a statement or an apology regarding the tweets.
