The Chilliwack
Progress Friday
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Social media and the Chilliwack election Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Communications expert Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message” in his book Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McLuhan meant the vehicle of the message is just as important and telling as the content itself, if not more so. When it comes to the 2014 municipal election in Chilliwack, it’s a communications concept that rings true, with an explosion of social media use as candidates try to broadcast their message to get elected. “It has been an important issue this year,” says UFV professor Darren Blakeborough. Local media and reporters have been seeking out Blakeborough’s views recently on the impact of social media, in his role as assistant professor of Social, Media and Cultural Studies at UFV. Candidates are looking to various forms of social media to engage in selfbranding, but he cautions they need to be very strategic about it, and they need to be disciplined about staying on message. “But from most of the examples I’ve looked at during this campaign, it seems to be almost an afterthought.” Social media is both inexpensive and quick and therefore can’t be ignored as an electioneering tool. “There’s no cost other than your time. But it seems a lot of the approaches are rather haphazard. “So while it’s clearly an important tool in a modern election, it’s still only one of the tools in the toolbox.” Candidates have been setting up Facebook profiles for their candidacies, posting election topics, and using Twitter to debate issues. A couple of candidates in the Chilliwack election have been attacked Continued: MEDIA/ p5
From left, Krista Butt, Laura Reid, and Anita Unger have started the Heritage Chilliwack Society to discuss the importance of heritage considerations during the municipal election. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Candidates questioned on heritage stand Local society hopes to make heritage preservation a key issue in the campaign Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Chilliwack’s rich heritage should be front and centre during the 2014 municipal elections. To make that happen a new group called Heritage Chilliwack Society is brainstorming some key heritage-related issues and questions for all-candidates’ meetings. Laura Reid, along with society directors Krista Butt, and Anita Unger, launched the volunteerbased Heritage Chilliwack Society over the summer. “We’re moving ahead now
and preparing the questions for Chilliwack candidates,” said Reid. They’ve been working closely with Heritage BC, both in setting up the new non-profit, and preparing for the 2014 municipal election on Nov. 15. “Heritage considerations can factor into tourism, downtown revitalization, the environment and climate change,” Reid told The Progress. “So it needs to be part of the conversations we’re having about the election.” Candidates may want to ask questions like how Chilliwack’s heritage and historic assets
could be seamlessly integrated into the municipal planning process. Would the candidates be willing to see funds devoted to heritage preservation? Should some historic buildings be repurposed? “Heritage issues are part of Chilliwack’s future growth and economic development potential,” Reid noted. The society members recently incorporated the new not-forprofit society. Their aim is to “engage, advocate for, and promote Chilliwack’s heritage” as well as to research and identify heritage assets through collaboration. “My experience working at a historic downtown hotel is that
people who come downtown are often looking for that authentic heritage experience.” Heritage Chilliwack Society volunteers are out to inspire and raise awareness about the rich treasure trove of history that Chilliwack has as the third oldest municipality in B.C., said Reid. In setting up the society, they did their homework, making a point of consulting with heritage professionals like Elaine Horricks, Heritage Planner for the Township of Langley, Ron Denman, past director of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, Deborah Hudson, former director of the Chilliwack Continued: HERITAGE/ p11
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