Dear editor:

This letter is in response to Coun. Maria Mavridis’ accusations towards a group of our neighbours here in Niagara-on-the-Lake (“When I stand up for truth, I get banned?” Feb. 5).

With all due respect to the councillor, there are many serious inaccuracies and allegations in her opinion letter that need to be corrected.

First of all, Coun. Mavridis was not banned from the group — she was temporarily suspended for breaching the group’s rules (note that there is a significant difference between the two in social media).

I might also mention that, not only was the suspension temporary, but she has already been reinstated.

Secondly, the group Residents 4 A Better NOTL is, in fact, a private group on a social media platform that defines very precisely what “private” means.

I run three different private groups on this platform (note that I am only a member of Residents 4 A Better NOTL, not an admin) and the rules are very clear on each one: members join with the understanding that they are to respect everyone’s privacy in the group; they cannot share or screenshot externally anything posted within the group.

A private group is a safe and strictly monitored place for members to post and conduct discussions of relevance. Residents 4 A Better NOTL is restricted to residents of NOTL only, due to its particular mandate of local knowledge, input and discussions; this residency requirement is carefully reviewed and upheld, unlike other NOTL groups that allow the world at large to join (which, of course, is their prerogative).

Thirdly, note that Coun. Mavridis repeats several times that she was “banned” from the group for trying to correct misinformation. Quote: “Not for being abusive. Not for violating standards. But because my participation disrupts a preferred negative narrative.”

In fact, it was put in writing to the councillor that the only reason she was admonished was because she was, in fact, violating the group’s rules.

Coun. Mavridis, as far as I know, is the only elected NOTL official in this group, and I can honestly say this is truly appreciated because she helps us understand the frequently nebulous workings within our town governance.

She is welcome, together with all other residents of our town, to join, participate, comment and discuss within the group in a respectful, non-threatening, non-abusive way (far different than what frequently happens in other groups — and I say this from personal experience).

In this group, if we feel uncomfortable or personally attacked, we have the absolute right to contact the admin, whom I trust to take action as appropriate.

It is not OK, however, to take one’s complaint to another group or even to this newspaper, with misinformation to which we can only respond days or weeks later.

Now that Coun. Mavridis realizes her error, I would expect her to retract her unfounded accusations

Elena Morandi-Bonner
NOTL