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We asked: What do city politicians make of Coun. Susan Stevenson's social media posts? – CBC.ca

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Four months after a London city councillor was formally reprimanded for social media posts she made about homeless people, most of her political colleagues say they have concerns about her ongoing online behaviour. 

Social service agencies that operate within Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson’s ward have also expressed uneasiness with the councillor’s posts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, saying she undermines the work they are trying to do to help Londoners struggling with mental health and addiction issues. 

“Social media is definitely not the best platform to have these types of complex, nuanced conversations because it has the potential to stoke division, anger, misunderstanding and is often directed toward marginalized members of our community,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan. “It’s definitely causing division.” 

Stevenson can advocate for the people in her ward but the way she’s going about it isn’t constructive, added Ward 11 Coun. Skylar Franke.

“I don’t think we need to vilify the social service agencies that provide support to people who are living unhoused,” Franke said. 

Despite the criticism Stevenson, who is serving her first term on council, is doubling down on her comments, saying she is representing her ward the best way she knows how, and that she is giving voice to the “deep pain and despair” of many who live there. 

“People are dying on the street in my ward. Businesses are dying and families are crying. If other councillors are concerned about my social media posts, I am concerned about the people in my ward and the harm that’s being done,” Stevenson said. 

Recently, Stevenson posted pictures of people sleeping on the street at Dundas and Elizabeth streets in the heart of Old East Village. She calls Ward 4 “Ground zero for our city’s drug crisis.” 

It’s a harsh sentiment but one that’s supported by the Old East Village BIA, which represents small businesses in the neighbourhood.

“We’re hearing a lot of support for her. She’s the only one doing anything, the only one willing to talk about it, to put it out there that we need to solve the problem,” said Kevin Morrison, the BIA’s general manager. 

“Does everyone agree with her approach? Maybe not. But she’s doing something instead of nothing.” 

‘I definitely have concerns’

“There are people sleeping in tents outside of a city funded shelter for sex workers. A public school is in the photo. Is this truly the best we can do? I cannot accept the unacceptable. What about you?” Stevenson wrote in one post. 

“This is not normal and it is a warning,” she posted in another, taken of a large tent set up along Dundas Street outside a storefront. A third post is a video of a fire in an Old East Village parking lot. “Meth lab in the lawn. Human poop in a french fry box on the trampoline. 20+ people sleeping back there at night, yelling cussing arguing in or near parking lot of city funded 24/7 homeless shelter. Well-run city? Equitable? Safe? Good Neighbour Agreements?” (sic). 

Many critics of the posts say Stevenson shows the problem caused by poverty, homelessness and substance use, but offers no solutions. 

“I definitely have concerns. It’s not what I would expect from a public official,” said Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira, adding that while Stevenson is entitled to her vote and opinion, her posts undermine the work that city council, staff and social agencies are doing. 

Stevenson hasn’t asked the social service agencies she targets for a meeting, including SafeSpace, a support centre for sex workers and women in crisis. 

“My concern with the posts she makes is that she omits information that she knows to be true,” said the organization’s head, Jenna Rose Sands. “It’s not helpful. If she is concerned about people, I’d like to see her plan. Criticism without solutions that are rooted in reality just wastes collective capacity and time.” 

The agency’s mission goes against the city’s desire to keep women and girls safe, Stevenson contends. Her issue, she said, is with “council and city administration” for funding SafeSpace, not with the organization itself.

“I disagree that we should be funding them and I disagree that we should be funding them in that location. As a city, what is our stance on sex work and how do they fit in to our commitment to a safe landing for girls and women?”

Previous reprimand

Councillors voted in December to reprimand Stevenson over social media posts she made in the fall, following through on a recommendation by the city’s integrity commissioner, which found she breached council’s code of conduct. Pictures of people on a sidewalk in Old East Village were “unnecessary and insensitive” because they also included complaints about criminal activity, the integrity commissioner ruled. 

Stevenson rejected the reprimand, saying the integrity commissioner didn’t follow the proper protocol when investigating a complaint against her. 

The code of conduct states that councillors “shall serve and be seen to serve their constituents in a conscientious, accountable, transparent and diligent manner,” and perform their functions “with integrity, independence and impartiality” and accurately communicate decisions of council “even if they disagree with council’s decision.” 

“I always have concerns when information is shared about votes of council and a colleagues says they don’t understand something even after a committee voted on that,” said Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza. “I’ve heard from community members concerned about their safety and the harm that’s being done, especially when we have partners that are trying to move forward with initiatives.” 

Council’s code of conduct is mum on social media posts and how councillors should conduct themselves online. Ward. 2 Coun. Shawn Lewis, along with Stevenson, will ask that the code of conduct be reviewed to see if that should be added. 

“The code of conduct is out-of-date and we have to ask ourselves some questions about what standards we’re going to hold ourselves to,” Lewis said. “The Ontario ombudsman actually recommends there be specific language around social media if you’re going to apply your code of conduct that way, so I think we need to have a discussion about that.” 

Lewis said there have been “concerning posts” by councillors besides Stevenson, namely Ward. 6 Coun. Sam Trosow, who questioned why councillors were allocating a large amount of money to the police budget but not the Housing Stability Bank or the library. 

What your councillor said

CBC News reached out to every city councillor over the last few days to ask them if they have concerns about social media posts. Councillors Hadleigh McAllister, Sam Trosow, Steve Lehman and Paul Van Meerbergen didn’t reply to interview requests. 

Here’s what the others had to say: 

Mayor Josh Morgan: If you look at the engagements that are happening in the comments, I can’t possibly see how they would be perceived as constructive dialogue. We’re facing significant challenges in the city and we’re working toward solutions with the mindset of bringing together and I think social media, and particularly X (formerly Twitter) is not the best place to have nuanced discussions on complex issues.” 

Ward 2 Coun. Shawn Lewis: “I think we have to be really cautious when we’re posting online about implying motives to the decisions of other council members or imply that work isn’t being done or the work being done isn’t valuable on any particular issue.” 

Ward 3 Coun. Peter Cuddy: “Coun. Stevenson is a colleague and close friend. We don’t always agree but we always respect one another. Respect means a lot to me. Integrity is not something you can buy.” 

Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson: “I’m not doing this to please everybody and I’m not doing this to cause trouble. I’m doing it because there is deep, deep pain in my ward, on the streets, in the businesses, in the neighbourhoods. There is despair. People need leadership in city council to get them the help they need and deserve.” 

Ward 5 Coun. Jerry Pribil: “For me, social media is a distraction and any distraction is a lack of focus and concentration. If I didn’t get emails from some London residents telling me they don’t agree with some of the stuff that’s posted by fellow councillors, I wouldn’t even know about it.” 

Ward 7 Coun. Corrine Rahman: I think councillors may have their own individual perspectives and the community should be following along with council directions because that’s how we communicate as a council. I don’t follow certain councillors on social media.”

Ward 9 Coun. Anna Hopkins: “I wish we could be more respectful and as elected officials, set that example.We have to do a better job and not be divisive and instead do what’s best for the community.” 

Ward 11 Coun. Skylar Franke: “I’ve heard from various individuals that there is some trepidation now within our social service sector to put your hand up and volunteer to do something, so I do think that some of the commentary from council in general is not helping us achieve our health and homelessness outcomes.” 

Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza: “Yes, I have concerns. I always have concerns when information is shared about votes of council and a colleagues says they don’t understand something even after a committee voted on that.”

Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira: “I definitely have concerns. I’m worried about possible violence. I not pleased to see her comments, because it’s not what I would expect out of a public official. It’s not the image of London we should be putting out there. It’s not who we are.” 

Ward 14. Coun. Steven Hillier: “I make a point not to comment on other councillors. That’s the way she’s doing her job and it’s not how I would do it.” 

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Trump could cash out his DJT stock within weeks. Here’s what happens if he sells

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Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.

Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.

Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.

Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.

Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.

Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.

As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.

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Arizona man accused of social media threats to Trump is arrested

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Cochise County, AZ — Law enforcement officials in Arizona have apprehended Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Cochise County, after a manhunt was launched following alleged death threats he made against former President Donald Trump. The threats reportedly surfaced in social media posts over the past two weeks, as Trump visited the US-Mexico border in Cochise County on Thursday.

Syvrud, who hails from Benson, Arizona, located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, was captured by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest, stating, “This subject has been taken into custody without incident.”

In addition to the alleged threats against Trump, Syvrud is wanted for multiple offences, including failure to register as a sex offender. He also faces several warrants in both Wisconsin and Arizona, including charges for driving under the influence and a felony hit-and-run.

The timing of the arrest coincided with Trump’s visit to Cochise County, where he toured the US-Mexico border. During his visit, Trump addressed the ongoing border issues and criticized his political rival, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, for what he described as lax immigration policies. When asked by reporters about the ongoing manhunt for Syvrud, Trump responded, “No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys.”

This incident marks the latest in a series of threats against political figures during the current election cycle. Just earlier this month, a 66-year-old Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of making death threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and other public officials.

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Trump Media & Technology Group Faces Declining Stock Amid Financial Struggles and Increased Competition

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Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock has taken a significant hit, dropping more than 11% this week following a disappointing earnings report and the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the rival social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This decline is part of a broader downward trend for the parent company of Truth Social, with the stock plummeting nearly 43% since mid-July. Despite the sharp decline, some investors remain unfazed, expressing continued optimism for the company’s financial future or standing by their investment as a show of political support for Trump.

One such investor, Todd Schlanger, an interior designer from West Palm Beach, explained his commitment to the stock, stating, “I’m a Republican, so I supported him. When I found out about the stock, I got involved because I support the company and believe in free speech.” Schlanger, who owns around 1,000 shares, is a regular user of Truth Social and is excited about the company’s future, particularly its plans to expand its streaming services. He believes Truth Social has the potential to be as strong as Facebook or X, despite the stock’s recent struggles.

However, Truth Social’s stock performance is deeply tied to Trump’s political influence and the company’s ability to generate sustainable revenue, which has proven challenging. An earnings report released last Friday showed the company lost over $16 million in the three-month period ending in June. Revenue dropped by 30%, down to approximately $836,000 compared to $1.2 million during the same period last year.

In response to the earnings report, Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes emphasized the company’s strong cash position, highlighting $344 million in cash reserves and no debt. He also reiterated the company’s commitment to free speech, stating, “From the beginning, it was our intention to make Truth Social an impenetrable beachhead of free speech, and by taking extraordinary steps to minimize our reliance on Big Tech, that is exactly what we are doing.”

Despite these assurances, investors reacted negatively to the quarterly report, leading to a steep drop in stock price. The situation was further complicated by Trump’s return to X, where he posted for the first time in a year. Trump’s exclusivity agreement with Trump Media & Technology Group mandates that he posts personal content first on Truth Social. However, he is allowed to make politically related posts on other social media platforms, which he did earlier this week, potentially drawing users away from Truth Social.

For investors like Teri Lynn Roberson, who purchased shares near the company’s peak after it went public in March, the decline in stock value has been disheartening. However, Roberson remains unbothered by the poor performance, saying her investment was more about supporting Trump than making money. “I’m way at a loss, but I am OK with that. I am just watching it for fun,” Roberson said, adding that she sees Trump’s return to X as a positive move that could expand his reach beyond Truth Social’s “echo chamber.”

The stock’s performance holds significant financial implications for Trump himself, as he owns a 65% stake in Trump Media & Technology Group. According to Fortune, this stake represents a substantial portion of his net worth, which could be vulnerable if the company continues to struggle financially.

Analysts have described Truth Social as a “meme stock,” similar to companies like GameStop and AMC that saw their stock prices driven by ideological investments rather than business fundamentals. Tyler Richey, an analyst at Sevens Report Research, noted that the stock has ebbed and flowed based on sentiment toward Trump. He pointed out that the recent decline coincided with the rise of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, which may have dampened perceptions of Trump’s 2024 election prospects.

Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, offered a grim long-term outlook for Truth Social, suggesting that the stock would likely remain volatile, but with an overall downward trend. “What’s lacking for the true believer in the company story is, ‘OK, where is the business strategy that will be generating revenue?'” Ritter said, highlighting the company’s struggle to produce a sustainable business model.

Still, for some investors, like Michael Rogers, a masonry company owner in North Carolina, their support for Trump Media & Technology Group is unwavering. Rogers, who owns over 10,000 shares, said he invested in the company both as a show of support for Trump and because of his belief in the company’s financial future. Despite concerns about the company’s revenue challenges, Rogers expressed confidence in the business, stating, “I’m in it for the long haul.”

Not all investors are as confident. Mitchell Standley, who made a significant return on his investment earlier this year by capitalizing on the hype surrounding Trump Media’s planned merger with Digital World Acquisition Corporation, has since moved on. “It was basically just a pump and dump,” Standley told ABC News. “I knew that once they merged, all of his supporters were going to dump a bunch of money into it and buy it up.” Now, Standley is staying away from the company, citing the lack of business fundamentals as the reason for his exit.

Truth Social’s future remains uncertain as it continues to struggle with financial losses and faces stiff competition from established social media platforms. While its user base and investor sentiment are bolstered by Trump’s political following, the company’s long-term viability will depend on its ability to create a sustainable revenue stream and maintain relevance in a crowded digital landscape.

As the company seeks to stabilize, the question remains whether its appeal to Trump’s supporters can translate into financial success or whether it will remain a volatile stock driven more by ideology than business fundamentals.

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