Chris Keogh shows his Facebook page. Photo by Peter
McIntosh.
A new online group which says the Dunedin City Council
has "lost the plot" has become an instant hit on the social
networking site Facebook.
The group was launched by Dunedin musician Chris Keogh on
July 17, but days later its membership had increased to more
than 1600 people.
Most members were from Dunedin, but others were former
residents logging in from around New Zealand, Australia, the
United Kingdom and - in one case - while travelling through
Greece.
The group's page featured a lively, and occasionally
ludicrous, exchange of more than 130 messages, debating the
merits of council rates, city parking and, of course, the
Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Mr Keogh (26) yesterday said, when contacted, he started the
group "more or less out of frustration" at recent council
decisions, including changes to city parking, and had been
staggered by its popularity.
"It's a little bit shocking - I didn't expect it. I thought
there would be a couple of hundred people. It's grown so fast
and it hasn't even been up a week."
Despite the group's name, Mr Keogh said he was not targeting
individual councillors, had deleted some offensive messages
and was "not anti-stadium either".
He believed some - but not all - councillors deserved to be
voted out, but said the main point of the Facebook group was
to promote greater political dialogue and participation in
next year's local body elections.
He planned to add electoral information such as how, where
and when to vote, closer to the poll.
Mr Keogh's work was not the first dedicated response to
council decision-making to appear on the internet.
Stop the Stadium launched a website as part of its campaign
to halt the Forsyth Barr Stadium, and the What if? Stadium of
Dunedin site also contributed to lively debate.
Mr Keogh has also recorded a protest song describing his
views on the council, a video of which has been posted on
YouTube.
Many messages on the Facebook group page were serious, and
occasionally heated.
Mr Keogh stressed he preferred "civil and constructive
debate", and believed most of the group's messages were
acceptable.
He also said he had no plans to use the group as a platform
for next year's election.
"I'm not a politician - I'm a musician."
chris.morris@odt.co.nz
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