Submitted by Ben Sclair, Publisher, The Suburban Times.
Effective immediately, no election or candidate related content, of any kind, will be published on The Suburban Times.
I’ve removed all prior election or candidate related content from The Suburban Times website. Any such content that remains should be considered an oversight, not an endorsement.
Words like “racist”, “communist”, “liar”, “tyrant”, and more have started appearing on the website.
When I launched The Suburban Times in 2005, it was with the hope and goal of providing a place for positive news and information and announcements and events and thoughts about our shared communities.
I’ve had enough.
I’m not interested in operating a website where neighbors spew vitriol at one another.
If you care to join me, I’m happy to welcome you along for the ride. If not, best of luck to you.
Onward.
Yes, thank you
Thank you very much! I also come to this site for local news and events, not politics. I appreciate that you’re maintaining that environment.
Good move.
We appreciate you, Ben,s and this wonderful neighborhood online newsletter! Thank you for keeping it positive!
I agree with Mrs Poeling and the community throughout the cities of DuPont, Fircrest, JBLM-Fort Lewis, Lakewood, JBLM-McChord, Steilacoom, Tacoma, Tillicum, and University Place.
These articles have kept you quite busy lately. Thank you for all of your hard work. Take a rest!
I sincerely appreciate your action and respect your commitment to the original mission of the Times.
Thank you! The Suburban Times will be better for it.
Thank you Ben.
Strange to see someone like Suzette Frederick supporting this decision. Ms. Frederick and her husband successfully used this resource to manipulate their own community members during Dupont mayoral elections and later to put in place their leftists supporters and activists. The bunch had no issues with smearing their opponents and any conservative with derogatory name calling not only in private talks but on this very resource, too. Yet, now when their opponents and the entire country is rising to say “Enough!” to their agenda, they are happy to shut those voices. Very convenient. Very disturbing, too.
Much appreciated. It had become a loop of anger, bravado and a destructive platform used by a few. Back to neighborhood news.
So I am disappointed in your removal, because it was a good way to find out about candidates. How else can we know what they think if not in the media? Sorry for your decision.
I have never been the type to comment on any social platform, but I will for this one. Great move! You do an amazing job for the Surburban times.
Thank you, Ben! Those political posts were getting very repetitive – how many times can the same thing be said? The content and tone were declining too – good to be rid of them!
It saddens me that we cannot maintain a civil discourse in discussing issues and our differences. If we cannot discuss and define our issues and approaches, how can we compromise and move toward solutions? We, as a society, need to get a grip.
I agree with your move. I do appreciate your news stories.
Bravo publisher! You should be extremely proud of your GOOD NEWSpaper, I will look to the Suburban times for information about all the great events and wonderful people and the beautiful history our area has to offer as I have always done for for years! It’s my “go too” paper for local events. Well done.♡,Neely Sipes-May
Thank you Ben for having been as tolerant as you have been in continuing publishing what should have been constructive articles getting to know the candidates and the issues. While the change is welcomed they did separate the “wheat from the chaff.”
Thank you, sir. There are other venues for that type of discord. I applaud the decision.
Thank you!
Thank you, Ben.
Ever since moving “South,” I have greatly appreciated the content and information received daily through the Sub Times. I myself have used it on several occasions to share community service information as well as volunteer and candidate info.
I appreciate what you do, and appreciated the time and effort it takes you, and your staff, to put out a quality product. I wholeheartedly support your decision given the circumstances.
However, the SubTimes has also been a great resource to share one’s political platform, I have also done this while running for Steilacoom Historical School Board. I just wonder if maybe there is a middle ground compromise in future with a clear set of guidelines regarding political postings.
My motto has always been “Be the Change,” whether it be through my starting the 501c3 PARCS-DuPont, Feeding Families and the DuPont Free Pantry, or running for school board… there are still candidates and supporters “new to the game” that greatly appreciate the audience of Sub Times followers in a respectful way. Just a thought. 🙂 <3
Thank you for your kind words Melanie. But I must clarify one thing. You said, “I appreciate what you do, and appreciated the time and effort it takes you, and your staff, to put out a quality product.” There is no staff. The Suburban Times is me, Ben Sclair. I’m the only one who manages, everything. And this is not my day job.
Wow!!! Wait just a minute Mr Ben Sclair…Whatever happened to Steve Neufeld the Business Manager? I felt both of you were supportive to the Suburban Times in the decision making.
Has COVID-19 PANDEMIC and the DELTA VARIANTS laid-off Steve from his Job? I hope not!!!
Kudos on that decision, thank you.
Thank you Ben!!!
It is so sad things have come to this in our society today. I appreciate the hard work and effort you put into the newspaper. Keep the faith !!!
Thank you! I appreciate your speaking up.
Thanks Ben! Way to put a stop to this nonsense.
I totally agree with your move, Ben. Several individuals were using your platform just to promote their one-sided views, and we were all getting tired of it.
Ben, have you considered taking charge at FaceBook? Naw, you are much too reasonable and considerate. Good on your decision.
Thank you. My only regret is that it didn’t happen sooner. It will be a relief going forward.
Great move, Ben! Sad how things have changed so much lately, but glad you are getting back to the original intent and goal of your platform.
Bravo, Ben!
I totally endorse this decision. There was way more heat than light. We can be better than this. Thank you, Ben, for ensuring that the Suburban Times is committed to fostering civility.
Civility will not hold if we avoid the difficult issues that actually shape our lives.
Thank you!!!! I love this site!
I am so happy that you are doing this!🥳
It’s called “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” It’s your publication you can do what you want, but it stinks of censorship. Why don’t you just state the rules of decorum to participate? Don’t play by the rules, can’t play. I once played soccer under a coach who would punish all for the sins of one. He never earned the team’s respect and we were never very good.
Very well said Louis!
I’m glad most of the comments are favorable for you Ben. You do an excellent job and I was cringing reading some of the reply’s concerning politics. It’s a different world we live in compared to the 50’s and 60’s where MOST “adult” people could have a decent discussion about politics, people, and customs. I know. I lived it.
Cancel culture and politically correctness has totally ruined our society in my mind. I was brought up to be respectful to all people no matter who they were and I’m glad The Suburban Times follows that rule.
Good for you Ben. Your action took courage. Thanks for having the courage to take the right action to make our world a better place.
Joseph Boyle.
Great respect to you Mr Boyle for your comment in supporting Mr Sclair.
Though it would be great to read your article “Westside Story” on the issue of political recourse in the history of candidates that worked for the good of the government. Not to destroy Democracy through Hatred and War…..Civil War!!!
Thank you, Ben, for making a hard, some might say harsh, but necessary decision. I applaud your courage.
Thank you, Ben. I know publishers aren’t responsible for the libel that has happened here just last week, so thank you for taking this step anyway.
THANK YOU!!! … For me this will be like the relief I feel when I mute the volume on a very loud television!
Good for you Ben! Thanks for your work and integrity.
Just letting people know about the debate forums or meet the candidate is enough.
Too bad discourse is not civil these days.
Ben, Thanks for this action. I think about your mom & mine sharing their friendship, now in heaven. We need more positive comments in our lives and appreciate everything you do and stand for. YOU HAVE LOTS OF SUPPORT. WE HAVE YOUR BACK. GREAT MOVE. Best wishes, Kristy