Town council adopted a social media policy for the town at a recent meeting, following a discussion on the topic at the last Policies and Priorities committee meeting.
Most councillors said they were in favour of adopting such a policy, putting parameters around how social media would be used by councillors and staff. The goal of the policy is to promote the Town of Olds and tell citizens and others about what may be happening in regard to the town.
“Council needs to decide whether they want to take part,” said Coun. Harvey Walsh at the Policies and Priorities meeting.
Both Mayor Judy Dahl and Coun. Mary Jane Harper were in favour of the policy, with Harper noting that staff and councillors would be required to refrain from using social media accounts to disseminate personal opinions. They will also be limited to speaking on town matters.
Following the conclusion of the discussion, Dahl said she uses twitter, for example, to alert citizens and others in the area about information about the town, community or region that might be helpful for citizens to know about.
“When I see community information that's community-based that I feel could help people in the region or my own citizens or updates or anything to do with my mayor's hat, is what I send,” she said.
“It's just a direction for use of social media,” she said.
