Posted By: Ricky
I noticed that Burgaw, North Carolina has decided to disable comments on its Facebook page, and honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised. This is something many of us have been talking about for a long time. Instead of answering the tough questions that residents have, it feels like some towns would rather shut down the conversation altogether.
The problem is that when local governments disable comments, it sends a message. Whether they intend to or not, it can make residents feel like their concerns don’t matter. People want answers. They want transparency. They want to know what’s happening in their community and why certain decisions are being made. Disabling comments doesn’t make those questions disappear. It just moves them somewhere else.
What makes this even more frustrating is that social media was supposed to give everyday people a voice. Years ago, we were told that these platforms would help connect communities and encourage communication. Instead, it often feels like the opposite is happening. More restrictions, more censorship, and fewer opportunities for people to openly express concerns.
I’m not saying every comment is productive. We all know there are people who take things too far. But there are also many residents who ask legitimate questions about roads, growth, safety, taxes, local projects, and community concerns. Those people deserve to be heard.
Burgaw is a wonderful town with good people, but like every community, it has challenges that need attention. Ignoring conversations doesn’t solve problems. Avoiding criticism doesn’t build trust. Real leadership comes from listening, responding, and engaging with the people who elected and support you.
This isn’t just about Burgaw. It’s happening in communities all across North Carolina and beyond. People are becoming frustrated because they feel like nobody is listening. That’s why it’s more important than ever for residents to stay involved, speak up, attend meetings, ask questions, and continue having conversations wherever they can.
A community grows stronger when people are allowed to speak, not when they are silenced. The answer isn’t less communication. The answer is more.
