Facebook, Twitter and the free flow of information has become a hot topic in Tega Cay

Social media may be a place for residents to air their concerns on city issues, but that doesn’t always mean they will get their leaders’ attention.

Tega Cay resident Ben Ullman founded Tega Cay Talk, that started as a web-based network that allowed users to create groups, post discussions and share events, in 2009. Now, they communicate solely on the social media staples Facebook and Twitter.

“It was created as a place to distribute news about Tega Cay, and for people to discuss issues, promote events, and more,” Ullman said. “The city did not have a website at the time, and there was a lack of local information.”

The page facilitates conversations on city events and holidays, council member elections and topics discussed at City Council meetings, Ullman said.

“Some of the biggest complaints I hear from people are around a lack of communication,” he said. “I’m happy to see Tega Cay adopting various methods of outreach to keep citizens informed.”

The city has a website, Facebook and Twitter pages, e-mail and other communication tools available to residents.

Ullman, a member of various Tega Cay related Facebook groups, said residents need outlets like social media.

“These are the ones that critique, and bring up topics that the city might not prefer to highlight,” he said. “They serve a watchdog sort of function.”

Private groups

Tega Cay resident Jeff Mauney said he started the Tega Cay Bulletin Board Facebook group in 2014 because he felt there was a lack of opportunity to freely discuss city issues on the city’s official social media page.

“I started it because the main Tega Cay Facebook page at the time was supposed to be a forum where you could discuss all city issues,” Mauney said.

“I soon learned, however, that if you made any comments disagreeing with what Mayor Sheppard, and the entire city council at the time, was doing, then you were attacked by his/their fervent followers.”

Mauney said he has invited Mayor George Sheppard to the site many times over the years, but he has declined.

Sheppard said these types of groups are not monitored or commented on by city officials.

“We don’t monitor these sites and we aren’t on their sites,” he said. “I don’t think government officials should be posting on a closed site.”

Sheppard said residents should look for the city’s official modes of communication to share concerns.

“There are lots of avenues for people to communicate with residents and just because something says ‘City of Tega Cay’ doesn’t mean it’s a government site,” he said.

Tega Cay City Manager Charlie Funderburk also said he does not monitor or participate in closed groups.

“We especially don’t monitor private groups that keep their pages hidden except from those who they wish to be a part of their group,” he said. “We are not interested in things that aren’t open to everyone.”

Sheppard and Funderburk’s concerns regard government officials’ posts being susceptible to the Freedom of Information Act.

“Realistically, we have to keep the communications open among those avenues due to FOIA laws,” he said. “I can’t reproduce a conversation someone had on a social media site that I can’t access.”

However Mark Herring, author of “Social Media and the Good Life: Do They Connect?” said closed groups aren’t truly private.

“The expectation of privacy in a closed group in nonexistent,” he said. “You get on social media and you have no expectation of privacy, it’s just not there.”

Mauney agreed that his group is not private, but requires someone be approved to join.

Funderburk said he will not be involved with these types of groups.

“We’re glad folks that are anti-Tega Cay or anti-government have found a platform,” he said. “We’re not going to respond, we don’t monitor or look at it. It’s basically residents having conversations with residents and that’s great.”

Both Sheppard and Funderburk said they have concerns that these sites can spread “negative” –and often inaccurate – information or rumors.

“Unfortunately, this type of stuff can shed an unnecessary bad light on the city as a whole which could hurt in trying to attract new business opportunities,” Funderburk said. “It can also confuse those that may be new and think that it is a city-sponsored page.”

Sheppard said one reason he stays off those sites is the tone expressed in posts and discussions.

“I don’t want to participate in the negative,” he said.

Funderburk said residents have many options to get official city information. He said residents should look for Facebook pages and sites with a blue checkmark showing they are certified and visit the city’s official website.

“If people don’t know what is going on in the city, they just don’t want to know,” he said.

Funderburk said residents can also reach their leaders directly.

“Council and staff are very approachable to our residents,” he said.

“Whether it be via email, phone calls or direct face-to-face interaction, residents can most certainly convey their thoughts and opinions to us.”

However, the opportunity to share opinions and information makes social media an important tool for local government, Mauney said.

“Before I started this group most of the citizens of Tega Cay had no idea what the mayor and city council was up to at any given time,” he said. “I think this will play a huge role in the next mayoral election in 2017.”

This is part three of a series on social media and local government. The fourth and final installment focuses on the role social media may have played in two well-known local developments.

This story was originally published October 14, 2016 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Facebook, Twitter and the free flow of information has become a hot topic in Tega Cay."