Starting on July 1, 2022, commenters on the blog will have to post under their first and last name. (To allow me to verify that identity, commenters first need to register, providing additional data.)*
For an explanation of why the blog is eliminating anonymous comments, click here.
Beyond that, the following statement written in 2011 by the founder of the original MySouthborough blog is still good to go by (although I made relevant edits to #3 and revised #4):
First off, I love comments. What blogger doesn’t? Your comments are as important — if not more important — than anything I write. Your words contribute to the knowledge we share as a community. They’re what make this a conversation. So if you’re inclined to comment, whether for the first time or the hundredth time, I heartily encourage you to do so.
To help keep the conversation meaningful, here are some guidelines. They’re short and sweet and based on general principals of neighborly discourse.
1. Be nice. If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it here.
2. Be respectful. It’s okay to criticize ideas and opinions, but it’s not okay to criticize the people who shared them. Stick to what you think about the issues, not what you think about other commenters (that includes harping on spelling or grammatical mistakes — just let it go). Comments intended mainly to inflame will be deleted. Offensive language won’t be tolerated.
3. Be transparent. Don’t play games to create multiple identities. If you’re an elected official or town volunteer, disclose that when you comment on something related to your work.
4. Be real. When you register as a user, provide your valid name, address and phone number.* (If you have any issues/questions related to that you need to discuss, you can email, mysouthborough@gmail.com.)
5. Be truthful. This is not a place for rumor.
6. Be safe. Be careful about what personal information you share on this blog — this is the Internet after all. Do not share personal information about others in your comments, including addresses and phone numbers.
Comments on this blog are moderated, meaning I read each one before it’s published. I reserve the right to delete or edit any comment I believe doesn’t meet the spirit of these guidelines. I delete all spam.
It should also be stated that the opinions expressed in the comments belong to the individual commenters. They’re not necessarily shared by me. Just because I publish a comment doesn’t mean I agree with it.
Some additional legal mumbo-jumbo
All Rights Reserved: The blog owner, administrator, contributor, editor, and/or author reserve the right to edit, delete, move, or mark as spam any and all comments. They also have the right to block access to any one or group from commenting or from the entire blog.
Hold Harmless: All comments within this blog are the responsibility of the commenter, not the blog owner, administrator, contributor, editor, or author. By submitting a comment on our blog, you agree that the comment content is your own, and to hold this site, MySouthborough.com, and all subsidiaries and representatives harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.
*Phone and address fields will not appear on the blog. I do not use the data for marketing purposes. And I won’t sell/provide your data to other entities. They are only for the purposes of helping me to vet users’ identities.
Updated: June 22, 2022
Good for you, publishing these guidelines. Very smart idea.
The town should keep Sam Stivers on the Zoning Board. He is a man of integrity doing a GREAT job.
I enjoy your site very much. I grew up in Cordaville and lived there until I was 12. We lived on Vale Terrace in Cordaville. The house was the second one built by Mr. Valentine. Needless to say, that is how the street got its name. In the 50’s there was a lot of land for a boy to roam on around there. Looking at google earth, it is all subdivision land. Peter Sora, my best childhood friend in Cordaville and I fished the Sudsbury below the mill pond relentlessly. Fitzgerald’s store was run by the two Fitzgerald sisters. They sold penny candy to us but drove a hard bargain. Aiken Park was owned by my 5th grade teacher. She was a great teacher and a great friend of the family. I’m happy to see their beautiful property as a park. I know she is smiling down on that.
I’m now 62, been all over the world, but I still consider Cordaville and Southborough as a great place to grow up . I hope to motor home up there soon and spend some time. I apologize for having a flash back, but your site inspired me to do so. I hope the Southborough area has a prosperous year. Again, enjoy your site.
Tom Abraham
Pomaria, S.C.
Tom,
Thank you for sharing your memories of growing up in Southborough. I know I won’t be alone in saying I loved reading them!
Best,
Susan