If PA Weekly were being thoughtful about editing for factual correctness, I wouldn't object. But you don't. You consistently let people print opinion as though it is fact(anonymously, no less), stirring up anger based on misinformation.

This site does a HUGE disservice to the community...and now you are exacerbating that problem.

Healthy civic dialogue requires that people put their names on their work. It keeps them honest. There is nothing healthy about what happens on this site.

I'd sign my name, but I'd be the only one, and the carmudgeons would anonymously throw daggers at me. What an ugly, dysfunctional environment you have created here.

While I agree with the gist of your comment, Bad Idea, in that much of what is posted on Town Square is extremely nasty, I don't think this Academy, as it is envisioned, will be like the anonymous crank posters we see here so much.

I think if you're to be a "featured blogger" you will need to have more to offer than constant complaining about city staff

As long time PA Online subscriber & active participant in community forums, I applaud your effort to provide enhanced coverage of local issues and implement interactive participation in local issues.

Assume effective business model as well. Attract advertisers, other revenue streams?

Puzzling to me why you charge a fee to a group you need to implement your goals. Seems counterintuitive

disagree with Bad idea re disservice to the community. My experience with PA online has been great. I often personally disagree with the parties whose issues are reported. PA Online is the messenger, not the party to the issue.

The ability to express one's opinion not only generates dialogue, it often results in expanding perspective through feedback; encourages consensus - no matter which side one takes; ideally such collaboration appears to influence decision makers.

PA Online has reported those policy changes. That's exciting stuff.