‘Authorized’ Web Site Creates A Stir

An Internet site opposing the Post Falls School District bond levy has some people thinking the city is against it.

Until late Thursday, the Web site - www.postfalls.com - was titled “The Authorized Guide to Post Falls, Idaho.” Across the top of the page is a message opposing the school bond. The message changes each time the page is accessed, alternating between “What part of ‘no’ don’t they understand? Vote no - March 24” and “New buildings do not mean quality education. Vote no March 24.”

Jon DeKeles, owner of www.postfalls.com, said he never meant to mislead anyone and only wanted to express his political belief about the school bond.

“I don’t know if that (the graphic opposing the bond on his site) is any different from me putting an ad on my site saying remember to vote no,” he said, maintaining that anyone could put an advertisement on the Web site. “It was never my intention to … promote my site as the official site of the city of Post Falls.”

Because of the confusion, DeKeles on Thursday decided to remove from the Web site any references to the site as the “authorized guide to Post Falls.” He is out of town, so he’ll remove the references as he is able, he said.

The message opposing the school bond remains, but now a disclaimer clarifying that the page is not associated with the city government has been moved to the top of the page.

In a chat room sponsored by www.postfalls.com, some Internet users were angered by what they thought to be the city’s stance.

Mayor Gus Johnson, who supports the school bond issue, said he found the site disheartening because people might think the city created it.

All the City Council members have said they support the school bond.

The city also is constructing its own Web site.

DeKeles said that for 2-1/2 years he’s been using the name “The Authorized Guide to Post Falls, Idaho” as a trademark for his Web site and for a book his company publishes. The city has known he’s been using it.

“My interest is getting back to the issue, and that is getting people to vote on Tuesday,” DeKeles said.

, DataTimes