Facebook posts in Du Quoin get it wrong more than once

A very positive and productive Wednesday night meeting of the Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce will be fully detailed with pictures in Friday's edition.

It included a very "to the point" presentation by Mayor Guy Alongi on the early successes and challenges of his new administration. It included very well-placed remarks by outgoing chamber president Gary Kelly about the successes of the chamber, our schools and the city, in general. And, it included remarks by incoming president Robyn Laur Russell about business strategies and engaging new members during the coming year.

But it also included remarks by Mayor Guy Alongi as to how off-base Facebook and other social media can be. Case in point: Wednesday's headline in the Du Quoin Evening Call read "City asks Dist. 300 for $125,000." The story eluded to how the District 300 Board of Education has the means through the back end of the city's half-cent sales tax which is paying off the new high school to contribute to this important swimming pool project. No new taxes. No hurting kids. No cutting teachers. NOTHING. Yet Facebook blew up with comments about how the city was taking money away from the kids and teachers. There is nothing farther from the truth and the possibilities will be detailed after tonight's school board meeting.

The same thing happened during the fair after a meeting between the mayor, Pepsi's Harry Crisp, owners of Walker's Bluff and others on how best to market the Du Quoin fair. Instead, posts on Facebook talked about selling the fair.

Finally, on Saturday, police wives will "paint the town blue" with blue ribbons--not paint--in support of law enforcement officers. But, on Facebook someone will ask is Du Quoin really being painted blue.